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The exhibition promises works by women artists from different countries and so, the flavour is international. And, just like the title, the works do offer the viewer a chance to experience a re-awakening. But, from a different perspective, the title may also mean the coming of age of the works of female artists. Perhaps, the suggestion is that artwork by women have reached a crescendo. Whatever it may be, the bottom line is that once a viewer stands in front of an assortment of works being exhibited at the Alliance Francaise de Dacca, s/he is literally taken in by variety. From wood carvings to sculpture to paintings depending heavily on Fauvism, this show presents all.
   It may be clichéd, but here is an exposition that thrives on novelty. And, if we carry on in that line, the piece 'Memories' by Ferdousy Priyabhashini stands out with its incredible potency. A battered window surrounded by bricks, this is a work that captures memories of the past the way they usually come back to us - rusty yet powerful.
   The whole work has an aged look about it but then memories are seldom fresh.
   It takes a lot of aesthetic wrangling to get into the meaning of sculptures but Ivy Zaman's 'Dream' does not challenge the imaginative compartment of the common viewer. Indeed, unlike most installations, this is a work that does not conceal its meaning within an impenetrable piece.
   Influenced heavily by Fauvism, Nazlee Laila Mansur's work, 'Flower Boy' has a lot of colour but the piece also carries an undertone of sarcasm. It appears that, somewhere, the artist is trying to mock something. Is she referring to the free mixing of society carefully coated with vacuous morals and a thin veneer of Puritanism? Maybe, but there is no denying that this work sends a disturbing feeling. Nevertheless, the attraction is overwhelming. Nazia Andaleeb Preema's piece, Staring Women is a work that relies heavily on mystery and with a lot of black, has captured a Hitchcock style intrigue. The Teahouse Blues by Australian artist Kate Faulds is a work worth mentioning and here, the artist uses a dreamy shade of blue. Extremely therapeutic, one has to contend.
   A remarkable exhibition, this should not be missed at any cost.

As part of the national theatre festival the organisers will stage Raja-Rani by Kanthashilan of Dhaka at 7:00pm at Jatiya Natyashala and Rater Atithi by Theatre Centre of Dhaka at the same time at Experimental Theatre Hall of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the city.
   The play revolves round the simple lifestyle of two performers of a jatra pala. The play is written and directed by Sunil Gangopaddhaya and Mir Barkat respectively.
   
   Schedule of the festival
   March 7: Jatiya Natyashala, Jalbalika by Padatik Natya Sangsad, Dhaka, Experimental Theatre Hall
   Ekhono Mirzafar by Bahurupi Natya Sangstha, Mymensingh
   March 8: Jatiya Natyashala, Mousetrap by Padatik Natya Sangsad, TSC, Dhaka, Experimental Theatre Hall, Mahabidya by Chattala Theatre, Chittagong
   March 9: Jatiya Natyashala, Mandar by Prachyanat, Dhaka, Experimental Theatre Hall, Chena Gayer Kechchha by Anushilan Natyadal, Rajshahi
   March 10: Jatiya Natyashala, Cyclewalla by Natyachakra, Dhaka, Experimental Theatre Hall, Sattandha by Tirjak Natya Goshthi
   March 11: Jatiya Natyashala, Dhibar Gantha by Natyalok, Sirajganj, Experimental Theatre Hall, The Dwarfs by Dhaka University, Dhaka
   March 12: Jatiya Natyashala, Neel Mayurer Jouban by Shabdabali Group Theatre, Barisal, Experimental Theatre Hall, Siddhidata by Loko Natyadal, Dhaka
   March 13: Jatiya Natyashala, Dudh Kumarer Pala by Sarathi Natya Sampradaya, Rangpur, Experimental Theatre Hall, Bibhajan by Jiban Sangket Natyagoshthi, Habiganj
   March 14: Jatiya Natyashala, Anyagazir Anyakissa by Natyajan, Dhaka, Experimental Theatre Hall, Rajkabi by Ananya '79 Natyadal, Kustiya
   March 15: Jatiya Natyashala, Gazi Miyar Bastani by Jahangirnagar University, Experimental Theatre Hall, Sondar Alir Pala by Gobindaganj Theatre, Gaibandha
   March 16: Jatiya Natyashala, Rupabati by Subachan Natya Sangsad, Dhaka, Experimental Theatre Hall, Sonar Baran Kanya by Theatre (Topkhana), Dhaka
   March 17: Jatiya Natyashala, Janame Janmantare by Desh Natak, Dhaka, Experimental Theatre Hall, Balad by Theatre (Arambagh), Dhaka
   March 18: Jatiya Natyashala, Eksha Basta Chal by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Experimental Theatre Hall, Jaladas by Dhaka Padatik, Dhaka
   March 19: Jatiya Natyashala, Kalapani by Padakshep, Gaibandha, Experimental Theatre Hall, Muktadhara by Rangpur Natya Kendra, Rangpur
   March 20: Jatiya Natyashala, Neel Samudrer Jhar by Cox's Bazar Theatre, Cox's Bazar, Experimental Theatre Hall, Matiyal by Faridpur Theatre, Faridpur
   March 21: Jatiya Natyashala, Binodini by Dhaka Theatre, Dhaka, Experimental Theatre Hall, Jalpari by Abayab Natyadal, Dhaka
   March 22: Jatiya Natyashala, Sampannaiya by Uttaradhikar, Chittagong, Experimental Theatre Hall, Montong Kathan by Kheyali Group Theatre, Barisal
   March 23: Jatiya Natyashala, Chhayanat by Nagarik Natya Sampradaya, Dhaka, Experimental Theatre Hall, Koibarta Gatha by Bibartan Jessore, Jessore
   March 24: Jatiya Natyashala, Khanchar Bhitar Achin Pakhi by Nagarik Natyangan (Ensemble), Dhaka, Experimental Theatre Hall, Mukti by Theatre (Bailey Road), Dhaka
   March 25: Jatiya Natyashala, Kusum Upakhyan by Swattik Natya Sampradaya, Dhaka, Experimental Theatre Hall, Muchiram Gur by Kathak Natya Sampradaya, Chittagong
   March 26: Jatiya Natyashala, Chilekothar Sepai by Udichi, Dhaka, Experimental Theatre Hall, Thikana by Oikik Theatre, Narayanganj
   March 27: Jatiya Natyashala, Debater Gras by Sanglap Group Theatre, Dhaka, Experimental Theatre Hall, Prajapati by Natya Kendra, Dhaka

A Malaysian movie with scenes of street violence, pollution and poverty has been banned after the national censorship board said it was bad for the country's image, a report said Monday.
   'I Don't Want to Sleep Alone', by Malaysian director Tsai Ming-liang, was filmed in the capital Kuala Lumpur and stars Taiwanese actor Lee Kang-sheng and Malaysian newcomer Norman Atun, The Star newspaper reported.
   Lee plays a Taiwanese, Hsiao-kang, who gets robbed and beaten in the streets before he is rescued by immigrant worker Rawang, played by Norman.
   Among the eight reasons the board listed for the ban were that the movie depicted Malaysians as cold-hearted in scenes showing locals beating up and deceiving foreign workers, producer Leonard Tee was quoted as saying. Tsai told The Star from Taipei, where he is based, that he had done his best to abide by the rules of the censorship board.
   'I'm Malaysian, so I do understand the sensitivities and rules and regulations in the country,' he was quoted as saying. 'The film is not about Malaysia. The theme is about human relationships and the need for man to find love, warmth and someone they can depend on,' he said. 'I Don't Want to Sleep Alone' received a standing ovation when it premiered at the Venice film festival last year, The Star said.