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As part of the 10th founding anniversary of Nagarik Natyangan, Centre for Asian Theatre (CAT) will stage Henrik’s Ibsen’s Brand, a play on theological conflict at 6:30pm at the National Theatre of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
   Munzur-I-Mawla has translated Henrik Ibsen’s play Brand and Kamaluddin Nilu has directed the ‘Centre for Asian Theatre’ production.
   The play revolves around three layers; Aesthetics, Ethics and Religion. Here Iener, Agnes and Brand represent the symbol of aesthetics, ethics and religion respectively.
   The plot moves forward with a debate between Christianity and anti Christianity and Brand, the main character represents Christianity.
   Brand touches upon the facets of politics, social authorities and thus expresses a desire to stay in touch with power, which, in his case is unflappable faith in God. At the same time he has no faith in liberty and science.
    On the other hand, Agnes, the symbol of Ethics, becomes confused most of the time.
   She rejects Iener for his cowardice and spineless behaviour and falls in love with Brand for his courage, determination and strong will power.
   Ibsen wrote his play as a verse drama, also known as a dramatic poem, a play that is composed entirely of lines of poetry.

Ali Imam’s second solo art exhibition titled Cosmic Journey will be inaugurated today at 6:00pm at the Bengal Shilpalaya in city’s Dhanmondi area.
   Noted painter Rafiqun Nabi will inaugurate it while poet Belal Chowdhury will be present as special guest.
   The show will remain open everyday from 12:00pm to 8:00pm till February 22.
   In a press briefing at the Shilpalaya, the artist said that he had tried to present the force of life and other elements
   of the universe through his paintings.
   ‘I have also tried to portray the inner strength of the universe,’ he said.
   The organisers will display 36 paintings in the exhibition.

Kate Winslet and Madonna are among a whole host of stars who have donated clothes to raise money for the Asian tsunami appeal.
   Winslet has chosen to give away the slinky strapless gown designed especially for her by Ben de Lisi for the New York premiere of Finding Neverland.
   Madonna has donated a signed studded belt to the auction for up market fashion website clothesagency.com.
   Tara Palmer-Tomkinson has contributed a green and black dress from Top Shop, while actor Richard E Grant has donated the suit he wore in the Spice Girls movie Spice World.
   Palmer-Tomkinson said: ‘No one could help but be affected by the tsunami - everybody has been touched by its effects. This auction is a great idea and I hope it is a complete success.’
   Liz Hurley, Elle Macpherson, Graham Norton and the Duchess of York have also offered personal items.
   Premiership side Chelsea has offered a day with the team at their next European away match.
   The online auction will begin on February 11 and run until March 13, with all money going to tsunami victims in Sri Lanka.
   Clothesagency.com is the brainchild of aristocrat Lady Apsley.
   She said, ‘We have been overwhelmed by the response from celebrities willing to donate to this worthy cause. We are hoping to attract some really big bids.’
   — Internet

The 21st official James Bond movie will be Casino Royale, it has been confirmed. The news came on the day that outgoing Bond Pierce Brosnan thanked his fans for all their support over the years.
   Martin ‘Golden Eye’ Campbell is being lined up to direct the new flick, due for release in 2006, and is meeting up with writers and producers to finalise the details.
   David Niven starred in a Bond spoof of the same name in 1967.
   However, the search for the new Bond continues with Jude Law, Clive Owen and Ewan McGregor all believed to be in the running.
   Brosnan was shocked after bosses decided to drop him after the 2002 hit, Die Another Day.
   But the Irish actor has since accepted the decision and posted a message on his personal website.
   It read, ‘I would like to thank all of you who have supported me over the last year or so in regard to my playing Bond.
   ‘But everything comes to an end, and one must accept this decision which cannot be dealt with in any other way but with some kind of grace and knowledge that I did the job to the best of my ability.’
   Brosnan recently called on movie bosses to cast Colin Farrell in the role.

An elaborate cultural festival organised at the National Museum incorporating poster exhibition, craft shows and screening of films on occasion of the 26th revolution day of Iran ends today.
   The event celebrated the success of the Islamic Revolution in Iran by Ayatullah Khomeini that toppled the reign of Shah Pahlavi through posters.
   The artwork displayed had a deeply religious connotation with an inescapable touch of sophistication and the metal-works with precise and meticulous engravings showed skilled craftsmanship indigenous to Iran.
   Pictures of old Persian architecture showed some invaluable heritage that the county possesses like the The Khaju Bridge and Vank Church of the seventeenth century, and many more.
   There was also a display of juvenile Iranian literature. A total of eight Iranian films are to be screened during the festival. Today the screenings are at 3:00pm and 5:00pm respectively.

Poor young Keira Knightley... she’s revealed that quite simply she has to be a world famous actress because she’s not qualified to do anything else. But instead of that being a good thing, quite frankly it’s a bit of a chore for Keira because it means she has to deal with the press. And the press is such a major issue for her that she refuses to indulge in any form of print media because it frightens her.
   According to imdb.com, the British actress said: ‘I don’t read any magazines or newspapers any more, because I find it really scary.’
   Along with most of Hollywood’s A-listers, the Pirates of the Caribbean star also revealed how much she hates photographers:
   ‘I get really scared when I’m followed by photographers. I have, on many occasions, broken down in tears because I find it terrifying.’
   Sadly for Keira, she can’t just jack it all in and get a job stacking supermarket shelves back in Middlesex because she’s so unqualified:
   ‘I dropped out of school when I was 16 so there’s nothing else that I can do.’
   — Internet

A seminar is to be held on Syed Mujtaba Ali to mark his birth centenary today at 4:00pm at the Academy premises.
   Nurur Rahman Khan will present the keynote paper while Syed Manjurul Islam, Asma Abbasi and Shamim Ferdous Karim will have discussion on the subject.
   Abdush Shakur will preside over the function. The seminar will be followed by a cultural programme.

As Black Mask revisits his dark past - a past responsible for his incredible powers - he discovers a plot to detonate a bomb of DNA-altering proportions that will forever change human existence as we know it.
   Pulling the plug on the powers that be will see Black Mask facing off with a never-ending tag-team of mutant pro-wrestlers that are more than just a bunch of drop kicks and DDTs - formidable opponents for the gravity-defying fisticuffs expert.
   No ring, no rules, and this fight is not scheduled for one fall.
   Ding, ding. May the best man, or mutant win.
   HBO
   9:30pm
   Starring
   Andy On, Tyler Mane