Main Page «
Front Page «
Metro «
Business «
International «
Sports «
National «
Editorial «
Op-Ed «
Home «
Letters «

Archive «
Launch Supplement «
Special Supplements «

Celebrating thirty years in the music scene, noted singer Shalika Zafar delighted the audiences by performing in a solo musical programme.
   Amra Surjomukhi, a cultural organisation, arranged the programme at the auditorium of the Bangladesh National Museum on Saturday evening.
   Eminent cultural personality Syed Hasan Imam inaugurated the programme while journalist Rahat Khan was present as the chief guest.
   Noted lyricist Shahidullah Farazi, media personality Atiqul Haque Chowdhury, Shakila Zafar’s present music teacher Sanjib Dey, actor Dr Enamul Huq, dance artiste Shamim Ara Nipa, and Shafiqul Islam Salim of Amra Suryamukhi among others was present at the ceremony.
   Shakila Zafar started performing with a raag song along with her current Ustad, Sanjib Dey.
   Later, Shakila rendered some songs of her own choice including two Nazrul songs, Bone chole bono mali and Kholo kholo duar.
   Later she sang some popular modern songs, like, Jaagi eka nijhum rate, and Kije tumi chau.
   As a response to the requests of the audiences Shakila also sang some additional songs including Bondhuder bhalobasia kandi.
   She performed the first song of her career Tare bolbo amar monar katha which she had sung along with Fatema Tuz Zohra and later performed a few playback numbers like Morone tare pabe, and Patharer prithebite ache hriday.
   She also presented songs on request by the audience such as Bhulite parina tare bhola jayna, Tumi mistikore ektu bolo along with some Tagore songs like Amar bela je jay sanjh belata and Aj jotsna raate.
   She concluded her performance by singing the romantic number, Tumi amar pratham shakal.
   Shakila was accompanied by Biswajit Sarkar on tabla, Richard Kishore on bass guitar, Zahid Hossein on keyboards, Hanif on octopad, and Monir Hussein Tutul on lead guitar.
   ‘She is a fantastic singer and I enjoyed the show thoroughly,’ said Shahidul Alam, a service holder after the show.
   Mahmuda Khatun, a senior school teacher told New Age, ‘I am overwhelmed after seeing the programme. Moreover,
   her gestures and smile create an impact when she sings. I have really enjoyed it.’

An organisation called ‘Rabindra Academy’ was launched at the auditorium of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, in the city, on Saturday.
   Information and cultural minister Abul Kalam Azad was present as the
   chief guest while popular poet Azizur Rahman
   was present as the special guest.
   On this occasion, the organisers arranged a seminar on ‘Liberation War, Bangladesh and Rabindranath’ after the inauguration of the academy. Shahed Rahman read out the keynote paper on the subject.
   Professor Soumitra Shekhar of Dhaka University and Minakshi Singha, the visiting
   professor of Rabindra Bharati University, India, took part in the discussion. Professor emeritus Jamal Nazrul Islam chaired the seminar.
   In the key note, Shahed Rahman said, ‘Tagore was the inspiration to the
   freedom fighters of Bangladesh during the country’s war of independence and it is his patriotic song ‘Amar sonar Bangla’ that has been selected as the national anthem of Bangladesh.’
   ‘Tagore was an inspiration to many movements for the well beings of the people of East Pakistan during 1960’s,’ said Abul Kalam Azad.
   The cultural minister also unveiled a new quarterly magazine titled ‘Rabindraloke’ at the occasion.
   Minakshi Singha, Pramad Dutta, Anisha Khatun sang Tagore songs and Bhaswar Bandapadhaya recited from Rabindranath’s works among others.

A six-day painting exhibition by noted artists, jointly organised by the Acid Survivors Foundation and a magazine called ‘Purple’, has begun at the lobby of the Standard Chartered Bank at the Gulshan Avenue Branch, in the city on Sunday.
   Renowned artist, Hashem Khan, inaugurated the show and media personality Shykh Seraj, chief executive of Acid Survivors Foundation, Monira Rahman and official of Standard Chartered Bank, Sandeep Bose, spoke on the occasion.
   The speakers said that the artists’ once again raised their voice against acid violence. By appreciating the initiative, they called for support from people of all walks of life to work against acid violence.
   The money earned from the show will be spent for the well being of the acid survivors. The show will remain open from 9:00am to 6:00pm till May 22.

On the occasion of the international museum day, Bangalee Shamagra Museum, held a programme in its auditorium on Friday.
   Professor emeritus Serajul Islam Choudhury presented a speech titled ‘Jadugharer manush, manusher jadughar’ (People for museum, museum for people).
   Dr Sarwar Ali, a trustee of the Liberation War Museum and Syed Anwar Hossain, professor of history at Dhaka University was also present as a discussant.
   Professor emeritus Dr. Anisuzzaman received personal valuables and mementoes of some eminent Bengalis. Family members of the martyred journalist Gias Uddin Ahmed, journalist Fayez Ahmed, poet Syed Ali Ahsan, writer Nazmuddin Hashem and artist Saiful Islam handed over the valuables and mementoes.
   President of Bangladesh Asiatic Society, Professor Serajul Islam chaired the programme. The organisers also arranged a publication ceremony of the book ‘Dhakar Jadughar’ during the programme.

United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) and World Wide Family Love Movement (WWFLM) jointly observed World Family Day at the auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity in Segun Bagicha on Friday.
   The programme included open discussion, recognition to some enlightened families and a cultural programme.
   Kazi Ali Reza, officer-in-charge of UNIC in Bangladesh was present
   as chief guest while
   social worker Moshih Uddin Shaker as special guest.
   The programme was presided over by the adviser of WWFLM, Taherunnessa Abdullah. Reference officer of UNIC Moniruzzaman read out the message by Secretary General of UN, Ban Ki Moon.
   Among others Tajkera Khair, president of WWFLM and honorary co-coordinators of the organisation Arju Akhtar, Alea Begum, Dr Sarah Banu and Saleah Saba were present in the programme.
   In the open discussion session they discussed on issues related to violence, injustice and
   discrimination in families, societies and in institutions and on how to promote family love, sharing
   and caring, harmony
   and gender equality in families.
   The organisation recognised around 45 enlightened family members.
   Later they arranged a cultural programme and members of the organisation took part in the programme.

A four day ‘Comedy Festival’ organised by the Dhaka-based theatre group ‘Swagatam Theatre’ is being held at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Segun Bagicha that started on Friday.
   ‘Swagatam Theatre’ is celebrating their seventeenth founding anniversary.
   On Sunday, the second day of the festival, ‘Theatre School Praktoni’ staged the play ‘Jaisa Ka Taisa’ directed by Bhaswar Bandapadhay. The play is written by legendary Bengali playwright and director Girish Chandra Ghosh, based on a play by Moliere.
   The story of ‘Jaisa Ka Taisa’ centres around a girl named Ratan, the only child of a single wealthy parent. But as her father is a miser and he doesn’t want his daughter to get married, because he has to give dowry. Then the maid servant, the only mate of Ratan, plays some tricks. At the end Ratan gets married to her lover.
   The duration of the play is one hour. Though it is a comedy it has some satirical elements as well. The play delighted the audience thoroughly and the artistes performed well. However, many a viewers expected a better performance from the character Ratan, as she
   portrays the heart of the story.
   Today, on the concluding day, the organisers will arrange a discussion and a cultural programme along with staging another play titled ‘Harkipte’ based on a drama by Anisul Haque. The programme will start at 5:00pm at the National Theatre Hall.

Exhibitions
   Grand group art exhibition
   By 107 Reputed Bangladeshi Artists
   Time: 10:00am to 8:00pm
   Date: April 11 to May 22
   Saju Art Gallery
   DCC North Super Market,
   Gulshan 2, Dhaka
   
   Solo Painting Exhibition
   Nagar Ananda
   By Kazi Salahuddin
   Time: 12:00pm to 8:00pm
   Date: May 7 to May 20
   Venue: Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts
   House 275/F, Road 27 (old),
   Dhanmondi, Dhaka
   
   Solo Art Exhibition
   Recycled Magic
   By Bruno Ruhf
   Time: 9:00am to 12:00am and 5:00pm to 8:00pm
   Date: May 8 to May 21
   Venue: Alliance Française
   26 Mirpur Road,
   Dhanmondi, Dhaka
   
   Photography Exhibition
   The story of Tea Workers, Forest and Forest People
   Organised by Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD)
   Time: 3:00pm to 8:00pm
   Date: May 10 to May 19
   Venue: Drik Gallery
   House 58, Road 15/A (New),
   Dhanmondi, Dhaka
   
   Solo Painting Exhibition
   By Bipad Bhanjan Sen Karmaker
   Time: from 10:00am to 12:00pm and 5:00pm to 9:00pm
   Date: May 15 to May 28
   Venue: Alliance Française
   26 Mirpur Road,
   Dhanmondi, Dhaka
   Theatre
   Kasaitulir Rupjan
   By Swadesh Theatre
   Time: 7:00pm
   Venue: Nilima Ibrahim Auditorium
   Bangladesh Mahila Samity
   Bailey Road, Dhaka
   
   Sunai Kanyar Pala/Ghar Jamai
   By Mahakal Natya Sampradaya (Purana Paltan)
   Time: 7:00pm
   Venue: Experimental Theatre Hall
   Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy
   Segun Bagicha, Dhaka
   
   Comedy Festival
   Organised by Swagatam Theatre
   Time: 7:00pm
   Date: From May 15 to May 18
   Venue: National Theatre Hall
   Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy
   Segun Bagicha,
   Dhaka
   Film Screenings
   23rd Anniversary of the Zahir Raihan Film Society
   Jointly organised by Goethe-Institut Dhaka and Zahir Raihan Film Society
   Time: 3:00pm, 5:00pm and 7:00pm
   Date: May 17 to May 21
   Venue: Goethe-Institut Dhaka,
   House 10, Road 9 (new)
   Dhanmondi, Dhaka
   
   The story of Tea Workers, Forest and Forest People
   Organised by Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD)
   Time: 3:00pm to 8:00pm
   Date: May 10 to May 19
   Venue: Drik Gallery
   House 58, Road 15/A (New),
   Dhanmondi,
   Dhaka
   
   A Nimble Walk through Five Protected Areas
   Produced by Nishorgo
   Time: 6:00pm
   
   Maleya Taroom
   Produced by Tamaza Films
   Time: 6:30pm
   
   Cinema at Star Cineplex
   Monpura
   D-War
   Forbidden Kingdom
   Oparey Akash
   Basundhara City Shopping Mall
   Panthapath, Dhaka