Main Page «
Front Page «
Metro «
Business «
International «
Sports «
National «
Editorial «
Op-Ed «
Home «
Letters «

Archive «
Launch Supplement «
Special Supplements «

The Television Reporters Association of Bangladesh (TRAB) hosted a discussion and cultural show at the Razmoni Isha Kha Hotel to highlight this distinctive month of victory.
   On this special occasion, the minister for shipping, Akbar Hossain was the chief guest accompanied by Abdul Gaffar Bhuiyan, Shuhrid Jahanghir, general secretary and Kader Monsoor, president of TRAB. Reazuddin Ahmed, president of the National Press Club, was also present. Apart from Shahidul Haque Khan, the renowned actor, producer, director and playwright, other well known personalities from the field of literature, education, health, sports and culture were also present.
   The show commenced with speeches given by the esteemed guests. In a short but significant speech Akbar Hossain began by reminiscencing the liberation war and how the war had influenced him, in a positive manner, in his personal life. Furthermore, he brought about few recent issues regarding the bomb blasts in the country.
   Shuhrid Jahanghir and Kader Monsoor took the podium to express their views and ideas relating to the liberation war and remembering all those lives sacrificed for the freedom of the nation.
   TRAB awarded 15 unique individuals for their invaluable contribution in the field of literature, education, health, sports and culture. Among the recipients were Raqibul Hossain Rumi in the field of health, Babur Ahmed for culture, Nasir Ahmed for literature and Kamal Khan for drama direction.
   The show concluded with a cultural programme of dance and a stunning performance by upcoming singer Swikrity.

Monir Ahmed Shakil is a theatre activist by profession, having worked at the Centre for Asian Theatre (CAT) since 1998, before which he had worked at Dhaka Padatik and Anya Dal. He has earned critical acclaim for his lead role in CAT’s production of Henrik Ibsen’s ‘Brand’.
   ‘I think myself as Brand,’ says Shakil of his best known character. ‘When I became selected for the role of the protagonist, I started to search for the characteristics of Brand in myself. I also tried to find out the characteristics of Brand among others, as I think every person to some extent becomes a personification of Brand.’
   According to Shakil much more than merely physical effort is needed in theatre. ‘After joining CAT, I had the opportunity to enjoy many good plays produced both here and abroad. I also got a chance to learn from noted theatre activists themselves; for this, I am always grateful to this organisation.’
   In his childhood, Shakil was interested in acting, singing and playing the tabla. He had plans to be a painter, but he could not fulfil his desire. It was after seeing the rehearsal of a play at Dhaka Padatik’s that he decided to work in theatre.
   ‘A performer has to get totally involved in the role he or she is selected for; then only can his performance be natural and realistic. A good school for theatre is also very important in producing and moulding good theatre performers. Because we have so many talented and dedicated theatre activists, it is possible to establish professional theatre groups in Bangladesh,’ said Shakil.
   Shakil has performed in the plays like ‘Bikram Bashiya’, ‘Wild Duck’, ‘Raja’, ‘A Doll’s House’, ‘Peer Chan’, ‘The Mission’ and ‘Brand’ which are all produced by CAT
   In Dhaka, his first performance was in ‘Sakina Sundari’, which had been written and directed by noted dramatist SM Solaiman and produced by Anya Dal. Besides performing on stage, Shakil has also directed some plays, including, ‘Bibartan’, a street play written by Saidus Saklain, and ‘Jagbar Kabya’, written by Pritish Kumar Bol.
   Shakil has performed in Taiwan, India, Sweden and Japan in different plays produced by CAT. Shakil’s performance in different plays received critical acclaim abroad.

Venue
   Shawkat Osman Memorial Hall
   Central Public Library, Shahbagh
   
   Today
   11:00am
   Pathe Pathe Dilam Chhariye, (documentary, 40 minutes), director: Nishat Jahan Rana, Banglasdesh
   Super Hero, (fiction, 15 minutes), Mexico
   Cyclist, (fiction, 24 minutes and 48 seconds), director: Indika Udugampola, Sri Lanka
   
   3:00pm
   From the Street, (fiction/experimental, nine minutes), director: Stano Petrov, Slovakia
   Distance, (fiction, 27 minutes), director: Mamallan, India
   Taps, (action, three minutes and 20 seconds), Mathew Gravella, UK
   Saaj Shilpi, (documentary, 32 minutes and 21 seconds), director: Neegar, Bangladesh
   
   5:00pm
   We Used To Be 11, (action, five minutes), director: Iveta Grofova, Slovakia
   If U Pause, (documentary, 30 minutes), director: Sameera Jain, India
   The Woman I Love, (fiction, ten minutes), Mexico
   2045, (fiction, four minutes and 34 seconds), director: Andibachtiar Yusuf, Indonesia
   Lesson from Barn, (fiction, 23 minutes),
   director: Alireza Ghanie, Austria/Iran
   
   7:00pm
   Reminiscentia, (ten minutes), director: Jos Neutgens, the Netherlands
   We are no longer Together, (fiction, 11 minutes), Mexico
   Dancing Darling, (18 minutes and 30 seconds), director: Maren Erdmann, Germany
   One Thousand Years Old Man, (action, 16 minutes), director: Azade Shakourirad, Kave Kanani, Iran
   Zelda's Island, (fiction, 17 minutes), director: Anna Wasch, Netherlands

Popular periodical Ananya will arrange a literary prize giving ceremony at 3:30pm at Sufia Kamal Auditorium of the Bangladesh National Museum on December 28.
   National poet Shamsur Rahman will be present as the chief guest while eminent litterateurs Syed Shamsul Haq and Selina Hussain will be present as special guests. Ananya editor Tasmima Hussain will chair the ceremony.
   Ananya had introduced the award in 1993 for women litterateurs for their contribution in the respective field. Every year the organisers select a woman litterateur or a researcher in the field of literature for the award. Litterateur Purabi Basu will be getting the Ananya Literary Award this year.

The shooting of Poush Masher Pirit, a film based on a short story titled Rosh by Norendranath Mitra and directed by Nargis Aktar, began on December 25.
   Nine songs of the film have already been recorded and Sabina Yasmin, Rafiqul Alam, Momtaz and Monir Khan sang the playback of the film. National award winner music director Alauddin Ali is the music director of the film while Mohammad Rafiquzzaman composed the songs.
   Afzal Hossain, is coming back after a long break as the protagonist and Mousumi will play the lead female role. In addition, Tony Diaz is going to have his film debut and a new face Priya is to be introduced in the character of Fuljan.

The Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts will arrange a video presentation titled IranDiary 1971-2005 by an expatriate Iranian photographer Abbas today at 5:45pm at Bengal Shilpalaya in Dhanmondi.
   Abbas has been working on the political and social issues of the developing countries since 1970.
   His major works have been published in the world magazines on wars and revolutions in, Bangladesh, Ulster, Vietnam, the Middle East, Chile, Cuba, South Africa and other countries.
   Abbas has been a member of the Magnum Photos since 1981.

Miami narcotics detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett become part of a high-tech task force assigned to stem the flood of designer ecstasy into Miami. They unwittingly uncover a deadly conspiracy involving a ruthless drug lord who is determined to expand his empire and take control of the city’s burgeoning narcotics trade, killing anyone who stands in his way.
   Starring: Martin Lawrence, Will Smith, Jordi Molla, Gabrielle Union, Peter Stormare
   Genres: Action/Adventure, Comedy, Thriller, Crime/Gangster and Sequel