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The first part of a documentary titled ‘Blood Bath in the Military Bangladesh (1975-1981)’ was screened at the Central Public Library auditorium in Dhaka on Saturday.
   Scripted and directed by writer and journalist Anwar Kabir, the film covers the historical facts behind the uprising of soldiers on November 7 in 1975.
   The documentary recorded interviews of the US journalist Lawrence Lifschultz, language movement activist late Gaziul Huq, politician Hasanul Huq Inu, retired major Ziauddin Ahmed, soldier Abdul Hai Majumdar, Dhaka University Professor Dr. Anwar Hossain, Taher’s wife Lutfa Taher, and his brother Abu Sayeed Ahmed and advocate ZI Khan Panna.
   The interviewees explained the historical background of the events saying that following the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, 1975, a new government was formed under Khandaker Mostaque Ahmad. Khaled Mosharraf then mobilised another coup overthrowing the government of Khandker Mostaque on November 3. He detained Ziaur Rahman along with others.
   An active member of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), Colonel Abu Taher then organised members of Biplabi Sainik Sangstha, a political wing of JSD working among the soldiers in army. Inspired by socialism, he then conducted a successful uprising, led by the common soldiers, which restored Ziaur Rahman as Chief of Army Staff.
   After that, in a dramatic turn of events the new Army Chief filed a case against Taher and his associates that include, among many others, politician Hasanul Huq Inu and retired major Ziauddin Ahmed. Taher was sentenced to death in a military trial which was called a ‘travesty of justice’, according to the interviewees in the documentary.
   Lutfa Taher, Abu Sayeed Ahmed and barrister Tania Amir were present at the screening programme.
   Expressing her gratitude to the filmmaker, Lutfa Taher said that Taher fought against injustice during the country’s war of independence and during the events of November 7. He dreamt of a society where there would be no inequalities among people, she added.
   The 10:30 hour documentary is divided into four parts. The other parts will cover similar events focusing on the massacre in the armed forces from 1975 to 1981.
   The film, released on July 21, 2009, is considered as the only of its kind on killings in cantonments.

The cultural organisation Kranit Shilpigosthi organized a discussion and cultural programme in celebration of the 83rd birth anniversary of the late poet Mahbub-Ul Alam Chowdhury on Saturday at the Music and Dance Centre of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
   The programme began with the placing of flower to the image of the poet by different cultural personalities. Professor Fahmida Khatun rendered a Tagore song ‘Tumi nabo nabo rupe esho prane’ in honour to the poet. Kranti Shilpigosthi president Mahbubul Haider Mohon sang the popular poem ‘Kandte aasini phansir dabi nie asechhi’ by Mahbub-Ul Alam Chowdhury.
   In the discussion, Syed Shamsul Haq said that Mahbub-Ul Alam was an inseparable part of the country’s history and his poetry always upheld the expression of common people. ‘We have forgotten many things but we should not forget the historic role of Mahbub-Ul Alam’s poetry.
   Golam Kusud said that the nation is grateful to the poet who constantly worked for the development of people and language of the country. The poet composed poems with profound feeling to his country and country men.
   Giving thanks to the organisers and the readers of Mahbub-Ul Alam’s poetry, Jawshan Ara Rahman said, ‘I hope the poet will live in our hearts.’
   Kamal Lohani said that the poet had spread the sparks of revolution by his works and he spoke for working people till his death. ‘The poet will also be remembered for his voice for the freedom for the people of the country,’ he added.
   Artistes recited from the works by Mahbub-Ul Alam Chowdhury while singers of Kranti sang songs from the poet’s poem.

A publication ceremony of veteran filmmaker Soovas Dutta’s autobiography, ‘Ekjan Soovas Dutta’, will be held today at 5:00pm at the Central Public Library seminar hall in Shahbagh.
   Noted actor Ahmed Sharif will be the chief guest at the programme to be chaired by litterateur Syed Shamsul Haq.
   Poet Alam Talukdar, cine journalist Anupam Hayat and actors Uzzal, Illius Kanchan and Mondira, and film director Zakir Hossain Raju are also expected to be present on the occasion.
   Muktachinta Prakashana has published the 200-page biography priced at Tk 250. The book will be available at the Autumn Book Fair at Central Public Library.

A three-day group photography exhibition titled ‘Endangered Environment: Endangered Human Beings’ will begin at the auditorium of National Press Club today at 11:00am.
   State minister for local government, rural development and cooperatives Jahangir Kabir Nanak will inaugurate the show while Chittagong city mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury and Sylhet city mayor Badaruddin Ahmad Kamran will be special guests.
   The exhibition, organised by the Photojournalist Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited, will remain open to all from 9:00am to 8:00pm till November 11.

Eight digital short films produced by students of different universities will be screened today at TSC auditorium.
   The screening, jointly organised by Dhaka University Film Society and film production house Srishtigarh, will begin at 4:30pm and it will be repeated at 6:30pm and 8:30pm.
   Short film ‘Kanna’, based on a short story of Akhtaruzzaman Ilias and directed by Maruf Hossain, will be the prime attraction at the programme, said the organisers.
   The screening of ‘Kanna’ will be followed by a discussion on the prospects of digital films in Bangladesh. Noted filmmakers Morshedul Islam, Nurul Alam Atik and Maruf Hossain will take part in the discussion.
   Seven other short films, selected from the previous inter-university short film festivals, include ‘Shanibar, bishram dibas’, directed by Mushfek Manjur; ‘Stop’, directed by Kazi Salman Sheesh; ‘Journey by Soul’, directed by Pavel Aziz and ‘Slore’, directed by Mohammad Faisal.
   The films ‘Peace’, directed by Fahim Fazle Evan, ‘Kumir’, directed by Gabriel Suman and ‘Ishwarer Kachhe Khola Chithi’, directed by Mahmud Didar will also be screened at the programme that will remain open for all interested viewers.

Singers Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder are among the musicians expected to perform
   at a Motown gala to
   mark the record label’s 50th anniversary, reports BBC.
   The Detroit event
   on 21 November will
   also feature tributes to Michael Jackson and
   Four Tops star Levi Stubbs, who died last October.
   Wonder will perform a tribute to the label’s founder Berry Gordy Jr.
   Proceeds from the gala will go to the Motown Historical Museum, located in the label’s original headquarters.
   Otis Williams and The Temptations are also on the bill for the fundraiser, while original Motown musicians including Smokey Robinson will be honoured.
   The black tie concert will form part of a weekend of events in the US city to mark the record label’s half-century.
   Franklin, was offered a contract with Motown but signed to Columbia Records in 1960.
   But the ‘Queen of Soul’, who sang at President Obama’s inauguration ceremony earlier this year, has long been connected to Motown artists and record executives.
   The label helped launch the careers of a number of musicians, including Michael Jackson and Diana Ross.

Art exhibitions
   Colours of Nature
   Rhythm of life
   by Gulshan Hossain
   Time: 12:00pm to 8:00pm
   Venue: Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts
   Date: October 30 to November 10
   House 275/F, road 27 (old),
   Dhanmondi, Dhaka
   
   Of Conflict and Harmony
   By Architect Mustapha Khalid Palash
   Time: 11:00am to 8:00pm
   Date: October 23 to November 22
   Venue: Gallery Of Fine Arts
   Asiatic Society of Bangaldesh
   5 Old Secretariat Road
   Nimtali, Dhaka
   Photography exhibition
   A Borderline Case-The Fall
   of the Berlin Wall
   By Norbert Enker
   Time: 10:00am to 8:00pm
   Date: November 5 to November 16
   Venue: Goethe-Institut
   House no 10, Road no 9 (new)
   Dhanmondi, Dhaka
   Theatre
   Regional Theatre Festival
   Organised by Bangladesh Centre of
   International Theatre Institute
   Date: November 6 to November 9
   Time: 7:00pm
   Venue: Experimental Theatre Hall
   Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy
   Segun Bagicha, Dhaka
   
   Amputation
   By Centre for Asian Theatre
   Time: 7:00pm
   Venue: National Theatre Hall
   Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy
   Segun Bagicha,
   Dhaka
   Beyadabi Maph Karben
   By Drabir Natya Sampradaya
   Time: 7:00pm
   Venue: Nilima Ibrahim Auditorium
   Bangladesh Mahila Samity
   Bailey Road, Dhaka
   Film show
   Life Partner (Hindi)
   Time: 6:00pm
   Venue: High Commission of India,
   Cultural Centre
   House 35, road 24
   Gulshan-1, Dhaka
   
   Film show at Star Cineplex
   Monpura
   Transporter 3
   Slumdog Millionaire
   Quantum of Solace
   Basundhara City Shopping Mall
   Panthapath,
   Dhaka