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A cultural programme of music and poetry recitation was held on Friday at the Shaukat Osman Auditorium of the Central Public Library in the city to raise funds for the treatment of Samudra Gupta, now suffering from cancer.
   Artistes Dilara Khan Rupa and Mahidul Islam captivated the audience by presenting their popular numbers.
   Poet Nirmalendu Goon and Asaduzzaman Noor spoke at the programme organised by Scholars Publishers and Sangbrita. ‘Samudra is a poet and is now fighting for life at a hospital in Bangalore …we do not want to loose him at this age,’ said Noor.
   ‘It is encouraging to see a lot of people who stand by the poet buying tickets. I hope, more funds raising programmes for Samudra will be organised,’ he added.
   ‘We are optimistic that Samudra will be back among us again…after a successful operation he now feels better,’ Goon informed the audience. Goon also handed a cheque of Tk 70,000, collected from ticket selling, to Swapna Samudra. The National Poetry Council earlier came up with a generous move to spend its savings for the ailing poet, alongside working for raising funds for his treatment. The council also urged all to come forward to help save the life of the poet.
   Samudra, a prominent figure in contemporary Bangla poetry, also a founding member and former general secretary of the council, was admitted to BIRDEM Hospital on May 5 and he was shifted to Square Hospital on May 17.
   The plight of the poet came to light when poet Nirmalendu Goon wrote an article in a Bangla daily with an appeal for standing beside the family of Samudra. Donations can be sent to the account, Name: Sohana Happy, savings account number 3953, Uttara Bank, Kalabagan Branch, Dhaka.
   Born in Sirajganj in 1946, Samudra is author to a number of poetry collections. He was awarded a number of literary prizes for his contribution to Bangla poetry. Students of the Institute of Fine Art of Dhaka University also held exhibitions of paintings, photos and films to raise funds for the poet.
   Our Barisal Correspondent adds: The Barisal unit of Kabita Parishad organised a poetry recitation evening to raise funds for ailing Poet Samudra Gupta. A discussion on the poet was also held at the Abdul Khalek Auditorium of the Kheali Group Theatre.
   With the Barisal unit president of Kabita Parishad, Aroop Talukdar, in the chair, the programmed was conducted by the unit’s secretary, Toufiq Maruf. More than 20 poets and recitation artists performed in the programme and took part in the discussion on the life and works of Samudra. They also called upon affluent people and the government to extend their helping hands for the poet.

Bollywood’s new kid on the block, Harman Baweja, who is debuting with Love Story 2050 opposite Priyanka Chopra is feeling quite ‘nervous’ and ‘scared’ these days with the kind of attention he is receiving from his fans.
   ‘I am feeling quite nervous and scared with all the attention I am getting even before the release of my first film. The expectations of performing well is quite high,’ says Harman.
   ‘A lot of my future planning is basking on it as it will decide about my film innings, but I am quite hopeful that it will click with the audiences,’ says the actor, who is also working in a movie titled Victory, based on cricket.
   Love Story 2050 is Bollywood’s first futuristic film and is full of special effects. Priyanka Chopra, for the first time, is playing a double role in this movie. A robot and a teddy bear will also be seen playing a major role in the film.
   The film is directed by his father Harry Baweja, who is also a known director and produced by his mother Pammi Baweja.
   The actor, who resembles closely with superstar Hrithik Roshan, doesn’t want to be compared with him.
   ‘I don’t want to talk about it any more. Just because my looks, my dance steps, my body language are same as that of Hrithik, it’s not right to compare me with him. Please, no more comparisons,’ says Harman.
   Harman has already been signed by top-notch filmmakers of industry, who include the likes of Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Ashutosh Gowariker, Anees Bazmee and Manmohan Shetty.
   ‘These are great filmmakers. I am overwhelmed with the kind of confidence, these directors have shown in me. I am doing every bit to prove my selection right.’
   Talking about his passion for dance and his inspiration, Harman says he had learnt Kathak for over a year and also follows the dance steps of Prabhu Deva.
   ‘Dance was like a hobby for me. I learnt Kathak for over a year and also followed the dancing skills of Prabhu Deva as I think he can do any step,’ says Harman.
   He declined to comment on the controversy surrounding the releasing date of the film as on the same day Aamir Khan’s production house movie Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na starring Aamir’s nephew Imran Khan, who is making his debut opposite Genelia D’Souza.
   ‘I don’t want to comment on the issue. It’s already over for me. The important thing right now is success of Love Story 2050 and appreciation of my work.

Pop star Shakira has signed a deal with global concert promoter Live Nation, her US spokesman has confirmed.
   It gives the company rights to all the Columbian singer’s music-related projects - including new albums, tours, merchandise, websites and films.
   The 31-year-old, who has had hits with Hips Don’t Lie and Beautiful Liar, follows Madonna, U2 and Jay-Z, who have signed similar deals with the firm.
   US reports say the deal is worth between $70m and $100m (£35m to £50m).
   Shakira still had two studio albums and a greatest hits collection to deliver under her old contract with Sony BMG. Neither Shakira’s spokesman nor Live Nation could confirm whether she would still have to fulfil this deal.
   However, the touring element and other aspects of the Live Nation agreement will begin immediately.
   Her signing comes only a few days after Live Nation’s chairman, Michael Cohl, stepped down after a dispute over the company’s strategy of signing high-profile artists to similar ‘360-degree’ deals.
   Shakira has sold over 50 million albums worldwide and had four top 10 UK hits. Earlier this year business magazine Forbes listed her as the fourth richest female musician in the world banking $38m (£19.2m) between June 2006 and June 2007.
   Only Madonna, Barbra Streisand and Celine Dion were ranked ahead of the singer.

Popular ghazal singer Mesbah Ahmed will appear at the magazine programme titled ‘Rat Birate’ today at 5:30pm on Bangla Vision.
   The programme produced by Saju Khadem and anchored by Tara Mian, presents the life and works of the popular artistes of the country. Mesbah, who has earned popularity in singing ghazals, will talk about his emotion, feelings and aspiration related to ghazals.
   ‘This programme is a sort of documentary show on an artiste. I will talk about my personal life, music life and my aspirations and expectations in life,’ says Mesbah.