Life & Living

Life & Living

#Events / The Rebel Within You: Painting the memory of a movement

In commemoration of the July Uprising, on 29 July, 2025, The Daily Star hosted an art camp titled “The Rebel Within You,” inviting 11 young artists who lived through the chaos, fear, and fire of 2024’s student-led mass movement.

8h ago

#Perspective / What is patriotism to you?

We love Bangladesh the way we love our mothers, unconditionally, and without needing a reason. And with the July revolution, it could be argued that we have taken a bold step towards understanding the true meaning of patriotism.

8h ago

Friendship Day is for women who fix each other’s crowns

Female friendship is radical, restorative, and real — a chosen sisterhood offering unconditional love, emotional survival, and sanctuary in a world that demands perfection. On Friendship Day, celebrate the women who hold your world together.

1d ago

#Perspective / July 36: When Dhaka’s people took over

When Bangladesh’s government collapsed on August 5, 2024—nicknamed July 36—it wasn’t institutions but ordinary citizens, especially Gen Z, who stepped up. Amid chaos, solidarity emerged, revealing unexpected resilience in a generation once dismissed as apolitical.

3d ago

#Perspective / How Dhaka’s ‘Struggler Sayem’ became an unexpected social media star

Struggler Sayem, a CNG driver in Dhaka, shares honest, unscripted daily life videos on TikTok and Facebook to learn English. His calm, ego-free storytelling offers rare authenticity and comfort in Bangladesh’s flashy social media scene.

3d ago

Bring the heat: Summer’s wild makeup mood

Bold summer makeup is trending with vibrant hues like teal, turquoise, mango yellow, and lychee pink taking centre stage. Inspired by heatwaves and nature, this season calls for playful eye looks and glowing skin.

6d ago

#Women Empowerment / Basketball isn’t for girls? Ashreen Mridha says otherwise

Ashreen Mridha, co-founder of Deshi Ballers, is redefining women’s basketball in Bangladesh by challenging systemic barriers, empowering female athletes, and building a legacy of leadership, inclusion, and resilience through sport-driven social change.

1w ago

#Women Empowerment / No age limit!: How Arthy Ahmed is rewriting dance norms

Arthy Ahmed's Bharatanatyam classes in Dhaka empower adults to reclaim joy through inclusive dance, emotional healing, and cultural connection — transforming traditional norms and redefining classical dance in Bangladesh with passion, purpose, and community.

1w ago
Arts & Entertainment

Arts & Entertainment

Swadhinata Concert temporarily suspended

The concert was set to feature performances from Bangladeshi artists

3m ago

Ed Sheeran showcases debut collection of Jackson Pollock-esque art

British pop star Ed Sheeran has swapped the microphone for paintbrushes, and the fruits of his artistic endeavours will go on display later this week, the London gallery exhibiting his work confirmed on Wednesday.

3w ago

International Jazz Day Special / A jazz sanctuary amidst Dhaka’s familiar chaos

On an uncharacteristically cool April evening, I stepped out of Banani’s blaring traffic and neon haze into a dimly lit room tucked within a commercial building and almost cinematically shifted from chaos to a melodical hush. A small audience leaned forward, captivated by the spell of an ensemble that included an esraj, a sarod, a jazz guitarist and a drummer, and a vocalist whose voice moved without language, just sound, rhythm, and improvisation. The music was neither entirely classical nor jazz nor fusion, but something looser, more exploratory, alive to the moment.

3m ago

JU observes Selim Al Deen’s death anniv

The drama and dramatics department at Jahangirnagar University yesterday organised a daylong programme at their campus, marking the 17th death anniversary of renowned thespian and former teacher Selim Al Deen.

6m ago

‘Bangladesh first concert’: Artistes vow to stay united for country

The capital’s Manik Mia Avenue was teeming with people from all walks of life since yesterday afternoon, as they waited to catch a glimpse of their favourite artistes.

7m ago

The rise and fall of Chattogram’s single-screen cinema halls

Eid holidays in Chattogram city were once synonymous with a cherished tradition: families and friends gathering to enjoy movies in single-screen cinema halls scattered across the city. However, the golden days of cinema halls are long gone.

4m ago

Metallica to hold virtual concert in Fortnite

Metallica, the world-renowned rock band, is set to hold a virtual concert in the popular video game Fortnite. Named 'Metallica: Fuel Fire Fury', Fortnite players can tune in to the virtual concert on two set dates: June 22 at 2 pm, 5 pm, and 11 pm ET, and June 23 at 10 am, 2 pm, and 5 pm ET.

1y ago

BTS’ RM sets new record with his latest No. 1 single

BTS’ leader RM returns to the US charts, only weeks after releasing his latest solo album. The global star made a comeback as a featured artiste on Megan Thee Stallion's new single "Neva Play," which has quickly become a success for both artistes.

10m ago
Showbiz

Showbiz

Level Five levels up

The indie rock band has steadily broken free from its ‘niche’ label, surging in popularity during the pandemic. Their riveting lyrics, dynamic vocals, punchy guitar riffs, and tight rhythm section struck a chord with audiences, particularly through their breakout hit, “60’s Love”.

3w ago

Puja cruises to fame

After securing a spot in the top 10 of “Lux Superstar” in 2018, Puja Agnes Cruze chose patience over haste when it came to making her silver screen debut. Now, years later, her moment finally arrived with “Esha Murder”, where she plays the titular role, a role that not only marks her cinematic breakthrough but also fulfills a dream she has cherished since childhood.

1m ago

Only the beginning for Naovi

You might know him as Sameer from Bongo’s “BnG”, or perhaps you recognise him as Jaya Ahsan’s younger brother in “Taandob”—either way, Saad Salmi Naovi is fast becoming a name to remember.

1m ago

Sabila debuts, ‘Taandob’ ensues

Once a sweetheart of television, Sabila Nur has hit the bullseye with her silver-screen debut with a leading role opposite Shakib Khan in “Taandob”. The film will go down in Bangladesh’s cinematic history for being rife with action, twists, and cameos.

1m ago

Bangladeshi ‘Ken’ in Dhaka

The Bangladeshi 'Ken', known for his appearances in major Hollywood productions like “Barbie”, “Wicked”, and “Aladdin”, continues to make the country proud as he juggles acting, dancing, and interviewing some of Hollywood's biggest names.

2m ago

Sublime Sarika

Since childhood, Sarika Sabah has immersed herself in the world of art, taking classical dance lessons and specialising in Kathak. Over time, her dedication to dance grew, yet a deeper desire began to burn within her—a dream to one day find her place among the stars. She began her journey in the entertainment industry with TVCs in 2019, while she was a second-year CSE student at North South University, and quickly rose to prominence, winning hearts with her portrayal of Jhumur in Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Raz’s popular mega serial “Family Crisis”.

2m ago

Jaya and Sharmin take over

As Jaya Ahsan and Mohsina Akhter, the two leads of the film, take sips of black coffee and rong cha respectively at The Daily Star’s studio, the excitement levels vary among the illustrious mega-star and respected theatre practitioner.

2m ago

Dola does it again

Some songs don’t just trend—they take over. One such track is “Chand Mama”, from the film ”Borbaad”, which didn’t just climb the YouTube Music trending list once, but soared to the top twice and is still continuing to evoke emotions even after a month.

3m ago
Star Health

Star Health

Govt finally begins work on health reforms

Agencies asked to submit plans by August 5

21h ago

Dengue claims one more life in Dhaka

As many as 209 new dengue patients are hospitalised across the country

1d ago

Two more die of dengue; 386 get hospitalised

At least two dengue patients died while 386 others were hospitalised across the country in the 24 hours till this morning, according to the DGHS.

4d ago

Liver cancer to double worldwide, most of it preventable: study

It is also the third deadliest of all cancers, with the study predicting it would take 1.37 million lives by the middle of the century.

5d ago

Bridge Gaps, Deliver Nutrition to All

Ali Amjad Hussain talks to Zahidur Rabbi of The Daily Star.

1d ago

Two more die of dengue, 394 get hospitalised

Two dengue patients died while 394 others were hospitalised in the last 24 hours until yesterday morning.

6d ago

Elderly man dies of Covid-19 in Sylhet

This is the third coronavirus-related death in the division this year

1w ago

Shishu hospital: Appointment of 65 doctors cancelled

The management board of Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute has cancelled the appointment of 65 doctors who were recruited on an ad-hoc basis without any official circular.

1w ago
Satireday

Satireday

Satire / Let's MoPE!

"Dhaka has become one big group project, where everyone's angry"

2m ago

Satire / Justice for Sale: Case Files Found at Tk 16 per Kg

Who knew justice could be 'that' quick, or cheap?

6m ago

Satire / BBA student gets married, calls it the best networking experience of his life

Nothing is impossible – if you believe in your ability to make the right connections, that is.

9m ago

Satire / iPhone 16 users claim biggest feature is a scam

The iPhone 16 series launched a couple of weeks ago, coinciding with a sudden rise in online ads by people selling human kidneys.

10m ago

Government losing ‘Aandar’ control trying to bring it under control

In an unprecedented twist, the government keeps losing Aandar control while attempting to bring it under control. Aanda, or egg -- whatever people choose to call it doesn’t matter anymore as they are having breakfast without eggs.

10m ago

Holy League unveils new leftist wing

“We represent the thoughts, feelings and experiences of the majority of Bangladesh. Our policies, philosophies and ideals are all BLESSED. You must understand this,” he yelled at the crowd.

10m ago

A tale from the future: Ordinary students celebrate lynching 100th person

The year is 2028. Ordinary students have done something extraordinary yet again. Yesterday, they organised “Lunch for Lynching” to celebrate beating a hundred people to death since the “lucky seventh independence”.

10m ago

Satire / ‘Natok Kom Koro Pio’

“Natok kom koro Pio,” the man said, his white beard shaking with fury.

10m ago
TOGGLE

TOGGLE

Traveller’s notebook: in the Land of the Blue Dragon

Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam is not the first destination that comes to an average Bangladeshi traveller’s mind when thinking of getting out on exploring a new place.

7y ago

Traveller’s notebook: Kuala Lumpur

We’re a generation of wanderers and we have long been a species of wanderers. What ties us to our 9–5 routine is not natural. We want to explore, even if we don’t realise it, each one of us, to our very core, are explorers.

7y ago

The iPhone 15 Pro's camera can be a true game changer

The recent launch of Apple's iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max has set the tech world abuzz, and for good reason. While the device is teeming with top-tier features, it is the camera that truly commands attention. Offering a set of functionalities that can rival some professional cameras, Apple's latest offering is not just an incremental upgrade; it's a significant leap forward from its predecessors, particularly the iPhone 14 Pro.

1y ago

Editor's Note / Embracing the inevitable

And thus, we invite our readers to embark on the next exhilarating journey with Tech & Startup!

2y ago

So long, goodbye

The sun may set, but the journey never truly ends. Stay tuned for our next adventure!

2y ago

Bytes / Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: The ultimate ultra

Samsung's latest flagship, the Galaxy S23 Ultra, takes centre stage as a powerful contender in the smartphone market. While some might argue that the design changes are subtle and the price tag is on the higher side, there's no denying that this device excels in certain key areas, especially when it comes to photography.

2y ago

Cover Story / Every end marks a new beginning

To our readers, thank you for your unwavering support and loyalty. We invite you to join us in embracing this new beginning and be a part of the exciting journey that lies ahead. Together, let us explore the endless possibilities that technology and startups offer, celebrating the innovative spirit that drives us all.

2y ago

Huawei completes 25 years in Bangladesh

Huawei, the multinational technology corporation, has recently completed 25 years in Bangladesh. The organisation held a celebration event on 20 July, where they thanked their partners and stakeholders for years of support. 

2y ago
In Focus

In Focus

Sound of the July uprising

While the July Uprising was sparked by economic problems, political repression, and a desire for democracy, it found a strong and surprising voice in a new form of music for Bangladesh: rap. Two songs, “Kotha Ko” (Speak Up) and “Awaz Utha” (Raise Your Voice), came to represent the sentiment of the movement in July.

1h ago

Sandwip and the collapse of Portuguese ambition

In his analysis of the Estado da Índia, which was the official name of the Portuguese Empire, George Winius distinguished between the formal administration by the Estado’s headquarters at Goa over overseas possessions and the ‘informal empire’, which he called the ‘shadow empire’, that the Portuguese established in the Bay of Bengal. The shadow empire was a unique experiment carried out by sailors, merchant adventurers, pirates, and missionaries, with little formal sanction either from Goa or from Portugal.

1w ago

The crime of being Bengali: The untold story of Bengali internment in Pakistan

In the immediate aftermath of the Bangladesh Liberation War, as world attention fixated on the harrowing human toll of conflict and the fate of 93,000 Pakistani POWs in Indian  custody, a darker, largely buried chapter was quietly unfolding in Pakistan.

2w ago

13th death anniversary of Muzharul Islam / Muzharul Islam and Chetana Movement

“If properly planned, even now, Dhaka can be transformed into a very decent, liveable city. We can take advantage of the river, the khals, the lowlands, and the richness of the soil for the growth of trees and plants.

3w ago

The Terrible Splendour of Not Knowing

“O my body, make of me always a man who questions!” — Frantz Fanon had thundered, as if pleading with flesh and sinew to refuse silence, to resist obedience.

1m ago

The Maverick Pundit

The poet and playwright Michael Madhusudan Dutta (1824–73) made no effort to conceal his disapproval of traditional Brahmin pundits.

1m ago

Reviving Bain: Chakma Fashion Reimagined

In the late afternoon, the sun seemed to drift hastily towards the Phuromon hill in the west. The krishnachura leaves whispered softly in the breeze while the birds’ chirping spread a melodic resonance.

1m ago

Why is Sandwip missing from the Bay of Bengal’s history?

Chittagong’s neighbour Sandwip is absent from Bay of Bengal history because its nature is hard to define.

1m ago
Star Youth

Star Youth

Boys don’t cry but here’s why they should

Masculinity needs to be redefined across cultures.

1w ago

Does the new Superman movie signal a cultural shift?

Superman stories have always referenced and challenged real-life geopolitics since the character's inception.

1w ago

What official recognition means for the esports scene in Bangladesh

Bangladesh now has a real shot at building an esports culture from the ground up.

1w ago

We mourn

The Campus team extends its most profound and sincere condolences to the survivors and the families of the victims.

1w ago

When a child is their parents’ second chance

Do your parents see you as individuals with your own choices, or do they see you as extensions of themselves?

3w ago

The growing chasm of BookTok

Are the glory days of BookTok coming to an end?

3w ago

My father as a person

When I observe my father as a person who is a husband to my mother, I have to see him from a different light.

3w ago

Beating brainrot in Dhaka

Brainrot essentially describes the withering of mental faculties from overexposure to low-value digital content.

3w ago
Shift

Shift

Jaguar Land Rover CEO to retire

Adrian Mardell, the CEO of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), will retire after three years in the role and more than three decades with the British automaker. A company spokesperson recently confirmed his departure, stating that a successor will be announced later.

12h ago

Made in Bangladesh Mitsubishi Xpander launched

Rancon Auto Industries has officially launched the Bangladeshi-manufactured Mitsubishi Xpander, a seven-seater family SUV powered by a 1.5L MIVEC engine.

1m ago

Tesla launches robotaxi service in Texas: report

Tesla has begun offering paid self-driving taxi rides in Austin, Texas, marking its first commercial robotaxi service, according to a recent Reuters report. 

1m ago

Press Release / Honda launches City e:HEV in Bangladesh

DHS Motors Limited, the official distributor of Honda in Bangladesh, has recently launched the Honda City e:HEV at the Honda Showroom in Tejgaon, Dhaka.

1m ago

AAB's Motorsport Academy for aspiring professional racers

Automobile Association of Bangladesh (AAB) has recently launched the Motorsport Academy, offering structured training programmes designed to develop professional racing talent. The academy currently runs three sequential courses – beginner, intermediate and advanced – each requiring successful completion of exams to progress.

2m ago

Curated Cars: The Dhaka Car Show that finally got it right

May 1 and 2 gave us something rare. A proper show. Curated Cars wasn’t just another excuse to hang out and say, “Bro, my car faster.” This was for the real enthusiasts—the ones who actually know what a Jaguar S-Type is and don’t think a McLaren is just a footballer. So what did they do differently?

2m ago

Mercedes EQS 680 Night Series: Maybach's take on silent luxury

The Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 marks its entrance into the electric luxury SUV segment with the new special edition 'Night Series', designed to combine exclusivity with a modern, electric edge.

3m ago

Dhaka Motor Show returns, but not for the gearheads

The Dhaka Motor Show came back to its old home at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) from May 1 to 3, reclaiming all four halls after a brief relocation to the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre. The venue was packed with cars, bikes, trucks, scooters, lubricants, helmets, tool vendors, accessory peddlers, and food stalls—but not much in the way of actual enthusiasm for driving.

3m ago
Books & Literature

Books & Literature

NEWS REPORT / The Booker 2025 longlist announced: A global showcase of the power of fiction

The 2025 Booker Prize longlist was revealed on Tuesday, July 29, showcasing a diverse ensemble of literary brilliance, with novels that spanned continents, genres, and narrative styles

3d ago

BOOK REVIEW: NONFICTION / Tracing an uprising in strokes

Graffiti has long played a powerful role in revolutions around the world. From the walls of Paris in 1968 to the slogans of the Arab Spring, street art has served as one of the most immediate and accessible forms of resistance.

4d ago

BOOK REVIEW: FICTION / Between protest and power: Shahriar’s portrait of a nation in flux

Literary experts often caution against writing a novel immediately after a major political upheaval, arguing that personal involvement may cloud objectivity.

4d ago

BOOK REVIEW: POETRY / Kolkata, unplugged

Review of Mitali Chakravarty’s ‘From Calcutta to Kolkata: A City of Dreams: Poems’ (Hawakal Publishers Pvt Ltd, 2025)

1w ago

REFLECTION / ‘She and Her Cat’ and the quiet power of presence

The cats don't always understand the human specifics, but they recognise sadness. They notice routines. And most of all, they stay

1w ago

POETRY / Wings of ash

and for every grave / a firefly burns / and for every grave / Dhaka never learns

1w ago

KHERO KHATA / Scorching silence

Scorching in a way the April sun never was. / Scorching in a way a fever never feels. / It wasn't just grief

2w ago

BOOK REVIEW: NONFICTION / ‘Jodi Lokkho Thake Otut’: Self-help done right

Review of ‘Jodi Lokkho Thake Otut: Shafolyer Khola Koushol’ (Anyaprokash, 2025) by Asif Iqbal

1w ago
Star Holiday

Star Holiday

Machu Picchu Whispers of the Incas

I was in the ancient city of Cuzco, Peru -- once the capital of the Inca Empire -- standing at the train station with the Andes rising like ancient guardians all around me. My next destination was Aguas Calientes, better known as Machu Picchu town.

3d ago

Sri Lanka: A story of resilience & beauty

Not long ago, the country was on the brink of collapse. Now, it has turned around

1m ago

The Kingdom of Magyars

Once the heart of a vast empire and now a crossroads between East and West, Hungary stands as a testament to Europe’s layered history. At the centre of it lies Budapest — a city where Gothic grandeur meets post-imperial nostalgia, and the echoes of Roman legions, Ottoman rule, Habsburg royalty, and Soviet tanks still whisper through cobblestone streets.

1m ago

ALASKA a sanctuary of the soul

Would you go somewhere today, far, far away? A place so remote and isolated, so vast that the only thing left to focus on is the wilderness and its untouched beauty. A place where time feels irrelevant, and the horizon stretches forever. That place, for us, is Alaska.

2m ago

Nordic summer bliss

The Nordic summer stretches time -- golden evenings linger, and under the glow of the Midnight Sun, every moment feels both eternal and fleeting.

3m ago

Himba village: An oasis of peace in Kalahari

However, one of the most unforgettable experiences of this journey was our visit to a Himba village in northern Namibia, where time seemed to slow down.

4m ago

Madhya Pradesh: A journey into ancient India

Nestled in the very heart of India, Madhya Pradesh is a treasure trove of history, spirituality, and nature. With its rich heritage, the state offers a unique window into ancient India. It hosts three Unesco World Heritage sites, 11 natural parks, 24 wildlife sanctuaries and six tiger reserves. However, the state, with all its archaeological sites, turned out to be a treasure trove to me, a traveller drawn to history.

7m ago

The Pamir Highway: A road trip to remember

Our journey began with the dream of exploring Central Asia in a motorhome, but time constraints and border challenges reshaped our plans.

9m ago
Weekend Read

Weekend Read

A floating mosaic of guavas, baskets and people

During the monsoon, Jhalakathi transforms into a floating paradise. Bhimruli guava market comes alive with boats carrying farmers, buyers, and tourists.

2d ago

Where the forest feeds and fades

As the morning mist lifts over the vast expanse of the Sundarbans, the rhythmic splash of oars fills the air. Small wooden boats, mostly paddled by women, glide through narrow canals and creeks of the mangrove forest.

1w ago

TEOTA ZAMINDAR BARI / Ruins that whisper love and legacy

At first glance, a sigh escapes almost involuntarily.

2w ago

Shinduria: A hidden haven of biodiversity near Dhaka

Shinduria is more than just a scenic village -- it is a thriving ecosystem shaped by water, tradition, and time

3w ago

Lotus silk: the fabric of the future

Imagine if the next global fashion sensation did not emerge from Paris or Milan but quietly bloomed in a lotus pond in the wetlands of Bangladesh.

1m ago

Kirtipasha Zamindar Palace / Fading away in silence

Around five kilometres away from Jhalakathi district town, past the buzzing Kirtipasha bazaar and post office to the outskirts where the urban cacophony begins to fade, a colossal relic of Bengal’s feudal history rises like a spectre through the foliage- the Kirtipasha Zamindar Palace.

1m ago

Mangoes, memories and the magic of Rajshahi

When you grow old, you slow down your pace and seek calm. You want to be away from the hubbub of city life and live for yourself; toying with this realisation, I am in search of a quiet place to drop my anchor. I am twiddling between Rajshahi, Faridpur, and Barishal.

1m ago

Where birds still find refuge

The sky hung low over Dhaka, wrapped in winter smog that blurred the sun and muffled the city's sounds. A heavy silence lingered as we made our way through the chaos of Sadarghat, boarding an overnight ferry bound for the coast. We were escaping the choking haze in search of open skies and tidal

1m ago