writer
The publishing journey for young writers
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen a major decrease in not just the number of books being published per year, but also in the profits made by publishing houses.
INTERVIEW / In conversation with Anjali Singh and Arif Anwar
"I think of myself as someone who just really enjoys people, bringing people out, and hearing about what they’re working on": Anjali Singh
ESSAY / On Remembering Edward Said
The occupation of Gaza and West Bank changed Said's personal and academic prerogatives, compelling him to lend his voice to the Palestinian liberation movement.
Interview / “We need writers to know what society will look like in the future”
A large number of contemporary writers in the country think of avoiding politics. But that itself is also a kind of politics—the politics of the status quo.
Essay / Rethinking Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, the humanist
Despite his caste-consciousness and critical depiction of the social prejudices of colonial Bengal, he never directly opposed them; in his real life, he was an upholder of traditional Hindu patriarchy and Brahmin-dominated caste society.
Interview / Unravelling Bangali feminism and female rage
Feminism and literature share a profound connection as literature gives voice to the experiences of women, allowing us to understand their perspective. However, despite the abundance of information in the technological age, the promotion of feminist books remains a challenge in Bangladesh, often facing criticism from conservatives.
INTERVIEW / ‘Bangladesh has failed to foster an environment that encourages creative and intellectual freedom’: Badruddin Umar
How writers and their consciousness evolve in a country is largely dependent on that society’s intellectual development, their freedom of expression, and if their intellectual development is encouraged or discouraged.
Tagore’s 'Shesher Kobita': A timeless exploration of love and freedom
There are times I envy Labanya, sometimes I wish I could be as rebellious and as free-spirited as her; other times I feel empathy for her, it makes me believe and accept myself more as an individual
My first foray into fiction with Feluda
Growing up, I never analysed what drew me to the Feluda novels. It is only now that I marvel at how Feluda remained the fiction novel read at leisure by a self-proclaimed Bookworm such as myself for so long in my childhood.
A tribute to Akhtaruzzaman Elias on his 80th birthday
Born on 12 February 1943 Akhtaruzzaman Elias was much like a firework.Khoabnama and Chilekothar Sepai, the literateur's two novels, are often mentioned with admiration amongst ardent readers.
Finding myself in Orhan Pamuk books
It is also etched in the corners of multiple pages of the notebook I am writing this draft in. It is on my passport, also on my pajamas. It is the word the world knows me by—my name. Specifically, my last name, Nuri.
Loneliness, and what I gained from a Creative Writing degree
The workshops were the sessions I’d look forward to. Someone actually reading your work, studying it, telling you what you do well, telling you what you can improve on, all phrased constructively (“I like this!” was a banned phrase). If you’re pursuing writing, workshopping—on some level or another—is what you’ll need.
Who is Salman Rushdie?
With a literary career of five decades, Sir Salman Rushdie has been no stranger to death threats due to his controversial work. Born two months before the Indian independence from Britain, Salman Rushdie took his first gaze in Bombay — now known as Mumbai. The controversial writer went on to win the illustrious Booker Prize in 1981 for his book, Midnight’s Children; the novelist became one of the most celebrated and successful British authors of all time. However, with his fourth novel, The Satanic Verses, published in 1988, the writer managed to cause international turmoil by hurting Islamic sentiments. Thus, began his controversial life.
Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury’s body to arrive in Dhaka May 28
The body of prominent writer and columnist Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka under the state management on May 28, 2022.
Lyricist of “Amar bhaier rokte rangano” Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury no more
Eminent journalist, writer and lyricist Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury passed away today.
Tagore’s idea of nationalism
If you look for a definition of the word ‘nationalism’ on Google, or in an encyclopedia, you will find quite a few. However, this word, like many such words, is ‘notorious’ in its own way, as no single definition seems to define it thoroughly.
Sadat Hossain, Amin Al Rashid, Chanakya Barai win IFIC Bank Kali O Kalam ‘Torun Kobi O Lekhok’ Award 2021
IFIC Bank and Kali O Kolom jointly hosted the annual ‘Torun Kobi O Lekhok’ Awards at 7 pm on Saturday, February 26, in an online telecast. The ceremony was aired simultaneously from IFIC and Kali O Kolom’s Facebook pages.
Submissions for 2022 Commonwealth Short Story Prize to open September 1
The prestigious Commonwealth Short Story Prize competition returns for its 11th iteration, opening its doors for short story submissions from September 1 to November 1, 2021 (11:59pm in any time zone).
On Edward Said: Different shades of an intellectual
Edward Said is one of only a handful of intellectuals who can truly be said to have educated and influenced multiple generations on the Palestinian cause and the different prisms of thought through which we now look at literature, art, and history. In many ways, we are the heirs of the man who popularised the term, “Orientalism”; a man who championed the voices and struggles of the Global South in the Anglo-American sphere.