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Azad Abul Kalam, a name well admired by people who are involved with him. To many he is known as a creative director, a playwright, an actor and a humble man. First impressions of this man would rather be plain and blunt. The disheveled hair, the casual attire and the down-to-earth guise would merely classify him as simple. Without skepticism, he is simple indeed but very versatile.
   Most people are victims of circumstances. They plan for one thing whilst the other happens. Azad never had anything to do with theatre or acting but one of his close acquaintances, Masud Ali Khan, was immensely involved with theatre in 1985. Masud would come back from his daily chores of rehearsals and narrate his fond experience as an actor. His memoirs would inspire Azad to pursue acting and thus in the end he gradually became engrossed in acting and joined Araronaya Natya Dal.
   In the year 1985, the concept of training to be an actor was inapt. During that era not many people pursued a career in acting. The only two notable institutions which offered basic theatre acting courses were Chittagong and Jahangirnagar Universities. Another small private institution known as Natya Shikkangon also trained individuals involved in theatre. People could not avail of the proper training facilities. However, he was fortunate to be able to work with people who possessed in-depth knowledge on theatre acting and they themselves were adept actors. In addition, he had the opportunity to go abroad for attending various workshop trainings and seminars under the collaborations of Alliance Française, Shilpakhala Academy, British Council and many more, the significant one was with the Asia Pacific Performance Exchange (APPEX). This was a programme under the Centre for International Performance (CIP). He had two summer exchange programmes under the fellowship of UCL (United College of London) America in 1995 and 1996.
   In 1997 Prachyanat was initially formed by eleven members. This is a non-profit organization where their sole objective is to perform and promote good theatre. They also provide short certificate courses in acting. Currently they are enrolling students for the 10th course. Furthermore they also conduct, direct and produce theatre shows for public view.
   In a question regarding about his future plans, Azad said, ‘People’s dreams are vast and endless and like any other rational human being I do dream about the future. Dreaming is the first step in attaining your goals of reality. I want to construct a theatre house and a training institute.’

For the first time, Dhaka University’s Teachers and Students Centre (TSC) will arrange a Taekwondo show today at 2:30pm at its auditorium. A group of visiting Korean students will perform traditional Korean acrobatics for the first time in Dhaka.
   Dr SMA Faiz, vice-chancellor of the Dhaka University will be present as the chief guest at the function, while Dr AFM Yusuf Haidar, the pro-vice chancellor and Professor Dr Syed Rashidul Hasan, treasurer of the university will be present as special guests.
   The residential representative of Korean Embassy to Dhaka will be present as the guest of honour in the programme.
   Earlier, this Korean troupe had performed in some other countries in South Asia before coming to Bangladesh. The visiting troupe has recently performed in Chittagong and Khulna.
   Professor Dr Mustafizur Rahman of the department of Soil, Water and Environment of the Dhaka University, who is also an adviser of the TSC, told this correspondent that this kind of cultural programme exchange will strengthen the cultural relations between the two countries, particularly, with the Dhaka University.
   As a part of its annual programme the TSC is arranging this show.
   Satellite television ATN Bangla will telecast the programme live.

With a view to promoting Bangla songs BRAC Bank Ltd has released Ei Bangla Bhalobasi, an audio album comprising fourteen songs of renowned singers.
   The album in association with Napin Music has been launched at the VIP Lounge of the National Press Club on Tuesday.
   Aminul Alam, director of BRAC Bank Ltd, poet Asad Chowdhury, Fahmida Nabi and others were present at the ceremony and spoke on the subject.
   After unwrapping the album, Aminul said that our main objective behind producing the CD is to revive the songs sung during the liberation period. The songs elevated the spirit for the independence of the country.
   The company wants to recognise the talents who still remain undiscovered across the country. Citing the example of recently held talent hunt event ‘Close Up 1’, the director adds that BRAC Bank has given the first prize in that event.
   The songs of the album have been rendered by Shahnaj Rahmatullah, Shubir Nandi, Sadi Mohammad, Lucky Akand, Bappa Majumdar, Fahmida Nabi, Samina Chowdhury, Khairul Anam Shakil, Sarmin Sathi, Jhumma Khandakar and Nipo.
   Fahmida on behalf of Napin Music in her welcome address said that we are grateful to BRAC Bank for patronising the release of such an album. As the company comes forward to revive quality music, our endeavour has proved to be worthwhile. The album is a tribute to our freedom fighters. We hope the album will be appreciated by the music lovers of the country.
   Poet Asad Chowdhury stated, ‘I praise the steps taken by the company which will definitely enrich our culture. I do believe the album will help to revive our glorious past.’

The Centre for Asian Theatre in collaboration with Border/Granslandet (Sweden) will stage The Dumb Waiter at Natmandal at 6:30pm today.
   Zubair Sharif and Tony Blom are behind the concept of staging this play. Once students of Wendelsberg Theatre School and Scene, they have hosted several plays in Sweden. This will be their first ever appearance in a Bangladeshi theatre.
   Harold Pinter’s classical tale, The Dumb Waiter, is regarded as one of his best works. Based on a simple plot with two unique characters Ben and Gus, the story is about the social differences between two individuals and how this difference has a pessimistic effect on people. Another underlying theme is about the infidelity among people. Like all his other plays, Pinter used ‘silent pauses’ as his ultimate instrument in order to convey his thoughts and ideas.

Gay cowboy drama Brokeback Mountain has been named best film at the Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles.
   But lead actor Heath Ledger lost out on the best dramatic actor award to Philip Seymour Hoffman, who won it for Capote.
   Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon were both honoured for their performances in the musical Walk the Line, about the life of Johnny Cash.
   Felicity Huffman, best known for Desperate Housewives, won best dramatic film actress for Transamerica.
   The Globes are seen as an indicator to the Academy Awards, which are being held on 5 March.
   Highly-tipped Brokeback Mountain also won best screenplay, best original song and best director for Ang Lee.
   Palestinian film Paradise Now, which examines the motives of suicide bombers, was named best foreign language film.
   Hoffman has been highly praised for his performance as the late author Truman Capote, winning a number of critics' awards.
   Clooney did win a best supporting actor in a drama award for Syriana, while British actress Rachel Weisz won the supporting actress award for The Constant Gardener.
   In the TV comedy actress category, the four Desperate Housewives stars lost out in favour of Mary Louise Parker for Weeds.
   But Desperate Housewives did pick up the best comedy award for the second year running.
   Hit ABC drama Lost won the best TV drama category, beating Rome, Prison Break, Grey's Anatomy and Commander in Chief.
   British actor Hugh Laurie won the best actor in a TV drama for medical series House, an accolade he missed out on last year.

Starring:
   Tom Cruise, Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Beart
   Your mission— should you choose to accept it— is to go along with Tom Cruise on what the “New York Times” calls “the wildest movie ride of the year.”.
   This movie is a slick, high-tech update of the popular 70’s television series. Secret agent Ethan Hunt (Three-time Golden Globe® winner Cruise, Collateral, The Last Samurai) is accused of betraying his agency and selling top-secret information to the highest bidder.
   Racing from one tight spot to another, he trusts no one, and he fights to prove his innocence... and to uncover the “mole” who threatens the C.I.A.’s efforts in Eastern Europe. All this to a new drum and bass beat of Lalo Schifrin’s immortal, addictive theme music.