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To mark the 144th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, Chhayanaut in association with Nagarik Natya Sampradaya organised a cultural show in the evening at the Experimental Theatre Hall of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Sunday.
   The artists of the Chhayanaut rendered some songs while Nagarik Natya Sampradaya performed parts of Chitrangada.
   Besides, Surbrithwa organised a poetry recitation at the Sangskriti Bikash Kendra in Paribag where Jayanta Chatterji, Ashraful Alam, Golam Sarwar and others recited poems. Simar Majhe Asim Tumi, scripted and directed by Rabishankar Maitri, was also staged.
   Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote in Bijoynagar, Writers’ Union in Naya Paltan, School and College for Advanced Studies in Lalmatia and other cultural organisations also arranged discussions and different programmes to observe the day in a befitting manner.
   Ministry of Cultural Affairs had also taken various steps in organising a three day programme across the country. Of the various events chalked out on the occasion, the most elaborate programme was organised at Shelidah in Khustia where the poet had spent about ten years of his life.
   Health and Family Welfare minister, Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain inaugurated the programme in the morning in Khustia while Jute and Textile minister Shajahan Siraj was present as special guest. The event was chaired by Selima Rahman, state minister for cultural affairs.
   The ministry has also drawn out programmes at Shajadpur in Sirajganj, Patisar in Noagaon and Dhakshindihi in Khula.
   Besides, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy organised a two day cultural show in Khustia, and will hold a discussion and cultural show at the premises of the Bangla Academy on May 10. Moreover, a book fair began at the Central Public Library premises on the occasion.

The covers of Arnob’s debut solo album Chaina Bhabish and Hyder Husyn’s debut Faishya Gesi were officially launched in a programme at the Bluegrass restaurant in Gulshan on May 8, 2005. Dinner and live performances by several Ektaar produced artists made the ceremony more exciting than others of its type. Announcements, introductions and a speech by Zayd Almer Khan, Deputy Editor of New Age were more along the lines of the usual cover-launching ceremony. Milon Mahmood, one of Ektaar’s most popular artists, was the master of ceremonies.
   The first performance after Milon Mahmood had introduced the show with his song, was by Shahana, who sang two Rabindra sangeets, accompanied by Arnob, her husband, and the man whose album was being launched. The words were familiar — Koho kaane kaane, shunao praane praane — but the rendition was certainly most unorthodox, and was the breath of a new generation, and new musical ideas.
   After dinner, Arnob came up and sang two songs from his album, and then moved on to Tui Shei Amar Mon, from the Bangla album, Kingkortobbobimurh. The members of Bangla, Buno and Anusheh joined in at this stage, and a little later, the entire audience was singing the chorus. They all then went on to sing another one of Bangla’s numbers, Tui Gaan Ga.
   Hyder Husyn was up next, with his album’s hilarious title song Faishya Gesi followed by two more equally funny songs, with subjects ranging from his observations on the wearing of the sari, to more serious issues like Swadhinata.
   Ferdous Wahid, Jatra, Ajob, Milon Mahmood and Moon finished off the formal part of the show, but the mood was just too good for the music to just stop. As Arnob stepped off the stage after having played every instrument with the different bands, the other musicians stepped right back on stage and did a little bit of spontaneous jamming and played another song, before the programme was ended because of the scarcity of an audience at 12:15am.
   At some point in the show it was announced that the two albums, Chaina Bhabish and Faishya Gesi would be available in the market very soon.

Rafiqul Bari Chowdhury, the first cameraman of Bangladesh Television and the film industry, died at Central Hospital in Dhaka on Sunday. He was 76.
   His namaz-e-janaza was held on the premises of the Film Development Corporation and Bangladesh Television in the evening. He was buried at Banani graveyard.
   Besides his wife, seven sons and a daughter, he has left a host of relatives and friends to mourn his death.
   He was born in Brahmanbaria. He started his career at different studios in Bombay, Lahore and Karachi. He joined the Film Development Corporation in 1958 as a senior light man.
   He stepped into the field of cinematography through Dharapath. To his credit are films like Kanchanmala, Champakali, Ekhonoi Samay, Golapi Ekhon Traney, Shajadi Gulbahar, Janma Theke Jalchhi, Sareng Bou, Alankar, Lathial, Ghar Jamai, Chokher Mani, Bhat De, Dui Paisar Alta, Joyjatra and others.
   He emerged as a director with the feature film, Tansen, followed by Bhul Jakhan Bhanglo, Pension and Chandidas O Rajakini.
   He received the national award for best cinematography for Golapi Ekhon Traney in 1978 and Dui Paisar Alta in 1982. He also received the Bangladesh Chalachitra Sangbadik Samity award for Lathial and Golapi Ekhon Traney in 1975 and 1978 respectively. In 1984 he was given the Syed Mohammad Parvez Smrity award for Bhat De in 1984.

Bhawaiya Angan, a school for bhawaiya songs, was opened on May 6 at R/22 Noorjahan Road in Mohammadpur.
   Students will be given lessons on folk songs, flute and dotara, along with classical music.
   Noted bhawaiya singer, lyricist and music composer Hafizur Rahman will be the Principal of the school.
   In the inaugural ceremony, AKM Mustafizur Rahman, the founder and the executive director of Bhawaiya Angan, said that the original tune of traditional bhawaiya songs has been distorted by the singers who could not pronounce accurately the lyrics written in the local dialect of the region. Bhawaiyas had originated in the northern part of Bangladesh.
   ‘To avoid distortion of this genre of folk song, we had been planning to establish a school for bhawaiya songs for over a decade.’
   Rahman hoped that this school will be able to uphold the tradition of this unique form of vocal music and popularise it among new learners.
   The ceremony was followed by performance of bhawaiya songs.

The University Press Limited (UPL) will organise a two week long book exhibition and clearance sale from today at 10:00am at the Red Crescent Building at 114 Motijheel. The exhibition will remain open everyday from 10:00am to 7:00pm till May 20.
   To create and promote readership in the country, the organisers are offering all UPL books on sale with 35 to 75 percent off.
   UPL will also offer foreign publications on a variety of subjects at a discount price.

Priyanka Chopra says at long last things have fallen into place for her, with several hit films under her belt and more plum assignments on the way.
   ‘It’s true. There are talks for some really prestigious projects with some of the best directors. I feel as though everything has fallen into place for me when earlier things seemed to be going wrong,’ Priyanka said.
   Waqt is Priyanka’s fourth hit with Akshay Kumar. Career-wise the past year has been a blast year for Priyanka.
   ‘I guess Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and Aitraaz have put in
   what’s known as an enviable position.’
   ‘At the moment I’ve two films ready for release, Yakeen and Barsaat. I’m working on Krish. That apart, I’m committed to doing Subhash Ghai’s film to be directed by Satish Kaushik some time during this year. But that’s it. I’ve kept the whole of next year free for assignments that would creep up on me.’

11:00pm– 12:00am, Animal Planet
   As part of the cooperative agreement with the Chinese government, two giant pandas have been sent to the United States.
   Return of the pandas features the journey and behind the scenes preparations involved to bring these international treasures from China. The event takes a look at the pandas place in pop culture and their role as the symbol for endangered species.

This blockbuster sequel packs more bang, more booty, more butt-kicking action. and more baddies This time, Natalie (Diaz. Shrek 2) Dylan (Barrymore, 50 First Dates) and Alex (Liu. Kill Bill Vol. I) together with Bosley (Mac. Ocean's Twelve) are tasked to search and retrieve a pair of rings that protect the identities of every informant on the FBI's Witness Protection Program. Their search for the missing bands lead to a familiar face -- fallen angel Madison Lee (Moore), once in Charlie's trusted employment, who switched sides for a better paycheck. The angels are back to break codes, lawbreakers, and not break into a sweat. Break a leg, girlsl.
   Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle
   HBO
   9:30pm
   Starring
   Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu, Demi Moore, Bernie Mac
   Genre: Action/comedy