Old Dhaka
5 reasons Old Dhaka will ruin your love for the rest of the city
Whether you’re a curious traveller or a local looking to rediscover your roots, certain experiences in Old Dhaka simply can’t be missed. So, here are 5 quintessential Old Dhaka experiences that will make you fall in love with this part of the city all over again.
Shankhari Bazar: The street that transforms for Durga Puja
Shankhari Bazar in Dhaka transforms during Durga Puja with vibrant decorations, music, and rituals. This narrow street, famous for its conch shell bangles, becomes a lively hub of cultural celebration, culminating in the ethereal Sindur Khela on Bijoya Dashami
Old Dhaka’s hidden gems: Where history meets crumb mutton chops
Last Friday, I was strolling through Mohini Mohan Das Lane in the nostalgic neighbourhood of Farashganj in Old Dhaka. I love the old architecture of the area, and often go on such random excursions whenever I need to unwind.
Dhaka Gate: Old monument, new life
This old image portraying Dhaka Gate has a rustic vibe — with the grass and pathway and the elephants.
Gandaria: Sugarcane central of a bygone era
The hint of this past is in its very name — “gandari” means sugarcane, and it is widely believed that the etymology is based on all the sugarcane cultivation that took place there.
Old Dhaka's Beauty Lassi going strong even after 100 years!
How much did our city change in the last 100 years? Definitely an astounding lot! But Beauty Lassi and Falooda has stood — nay, won — the test of time.
The iconic Tara Masjid did not always have those stars!
Today, it is hard to imagine our beloved Star Mosque without its stars. And with that comes the obvious question, what was the name of this mosque before those stars were added?
The archive of Dhaka beneath the city
You were chosen because of your heart. Because of the incredible love you carry, despite the cruelty of this hungry city. Because of the strength you have, forged by the trials and tribulations of Dhaka.
Boats against the current: Reconciling the Dhaka of old with the new
Nadeem Zaman’s The Inheritors retells and recontextualizes one of the most famous stories there ever was—F Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby (1925).
‘Learning from Puran Dhaka’
"Learning from Puran Dhaka: The Urbanity of Occupations along the Buriganga Riverfront", a living exhibition and open workshop, was inaugurated on Saturday at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka.
Heritage no hurdle?
Authorities must save Kayettuli Manasa temple from collapse
Renowned fashion designer Emdad Hoque no more
Prominent fashion designer and Vice-President of the Fashion Design Council of Bangladesh (FDCB), Emdad Hoque, passed away at a private hospital in Dhaka city on Friday. He was 57.
Art vs Development: Should we erase our rich architectural history?
Dhaka's transitions carries the question of whether our historic buildings shall be preserved. From an economic viewpoint, there is financial gain in replacing them with buildings. The question now becomes whether the cultural heritage outweighs this financial gain.
Even the law can’t protect Dhaka’s heritage!
Authorities must save what’s left of Boro Katra, others
How Partition impacted the Dhaka book trade
With the expansion of the publishing business, bookshops also sprang up in various parts of Old Dhaka, particularly in Chawkbazar, Islampur, Mughaltuli and Patuatuli. It is estimated that the number of bookshops in Dhaka till 1900 were no less than 40.
Old Dhaka must preserve its historic character
Protect heritage sites and buildings from being demolished
Historic graves at Old Dhaka's Hussaini Dalan that often go unnoticed
Hussaini Dalan is not just a Shiite centre in Dhaka; it is also a Dhaka landmark, spanning centuries of history. While its religious programmes, especially during Muharram and more particularly Ashura are unparalleled, Hussaini Dalan as a Dhaka heritage is extraordinary as well.
Patuatuli: A treasure trove of affordable, quality glasses in Old Dhaka
Fancy a new frame every day? Spectacles like power glasses help us see the world in a clear way, while sunglasses help to make a fashion statement, providing protection from the ultraviolet rays of the sun.
Boro Katra, Chhoto Katra: Dhaka's key historic sites in ruins
Dhaka city’s two ancient structures -- Boro Katra and Chhoto Katra -- are at the verge of extinction due to rampant encroachment in absence of government measures to preserve those.