Entertainment | The Daily Star

Publish: November 10, 2013

A union of souls

Classical Dance Festival '13

Lamia Saiyara Mela

Whether coming alive through the sanctum of a temple, remote unknown greens or a vast stretch of polished wood underneath, a screaming audience in front to applaud appreciation in the air — a form of dance has been encircling these…

Awardees with the guests pose for a photo.

Aminul Islam Awards for the young artists

Fayza Haq

The Aminul Islam Award 2013 was an overflowing gathering of artists of all age. Art lovers had poured in too on Thursday evening at The Bengal Gallery premises. Artist Aminul Islam (1931-2011) is amongst the first generation artists and a…

Shakib Khan ventures into film production

Shah Alam Shazu

Superstar of filmdom, Shakib Khan has debuted in film production. The Dhallywood hero revealed the news yesterday. The title of his first produced film is “Hero: The Superstar,” which will be directed by Badiul Alam Khokon. The shooting for the…

News bytes

Dusk Till Dawn becomes TV series

Don Johnson will lead the cast of a television series based on Robert Rodriguez’s cult 1996 film “From Dusk Till Dawn”, starring Quentin Tarantino. Johnson, best known for his role in ’80s TV hit “Miami Vice”, takes a recurring…

Bangladesh participates at Kolkata Int’l Film Festival

Two Bangladeshi feature films and a documentary film will be screened at the Kolkata International Film Festival. Veteran filmmaker Tanvir Mokammel’s documentary film “1971”, Mostafa Sarwar Farooki’s “Television” and Amit Ashraf’s “Udhao” has been selected by the festival committee to…

US TV and FIlm actor Charlie Sheen is primarily known for his drug abuse and domestic violence occurrences, but he is also a sincere philanthropist. Sheen was the 2004 spokesperson for the Lee National Denim Day breast cancer fundraiser that raised millions of dollars for research and education regarding the disease. A major donor and supporter of Aid For AIDS since 2006, Sheen was honored with an AFA Angel Award, one of only a few ever given, at the nonprofit’s 25th Silver Anniversary Reception in 2009. He also donated one dollar from each ticket sold from his “My Violent Torpedo of Truth/Defeat is Not An Option Show” 2011 tour to the Red Cross Japanese Earthquake Relief Fund. On July 16, 2012, Sheen announced that he would donate at least $1 million to the United Service Organisation, a troops’-morale-boosting organisation of the USA.

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On the occasion of the Martyred Intellectuals' Day, theatre troupe Somoy staged their acclaimed production “Bhager Manush” at the Experimental Theatre Hall of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Based on Saadat Hasan Manto's short story “Toba Tek Singh”, the play has been adapted by Mannan Hira and directed by Aly Zaker. The play debuted in 1997 and has so far been staged 158 times. Set against the backdrop of the India-Pakistan partition, the play features Pavel Islam, Riaz Mahmud Jewel, Mansura Rashid Lovely and Fakhrul Islam Mithu, among others, in the cast. Photo: RIDWAN ADID RUPON

On the occasion of the Martyred Intellectual Day, Bangladesh National Museum organised a discussion at the Sufia Kamal Auditorium on December 14. Eminent educationist Professor Anisuzzaman was present as chief guest at the programme. Cultural Affairs Secretary, Dr. Ranjit Kumar Biswas was present as special guest. Martyred intellectual Dr. Alim Chowdhury's daughter Dr. Nuzhat Chowdhury was present as the main discussant. Prakash Chandra Das, director general of National Museum delivered the welcome speech. M Azizur Rahman, president of Bangladesh National Museum's Board of Trustees presided over the discussion.

Artistes of Shadhona showcased several dance pieces set on classical, Tagorean and patriotic numbers in their regular monthly programme “Nupur Bejey Jaye” at National Music and Dance Centre auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on December 9. Accomplished Bharatanatyam artiste Srimonti Pooja Sengupta performed three dance pieces while Abidur Rahaman Kochi, Sabbir Ahmed Khan and several other members of the troupe presented Kathak at the event. Shadhona dancers wrapped up the programme with a patriotic dance ushering in the Victory Day. Photo: Ridwan Adid Rupon

To welcome migratory 'guest' birds at Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, solo music artistes along with several promising bands performed in a concert. A total of 16 bands and solo artistes, including Kafil Ahmed, Akil Ashraf, Abhijit Das, Anom, Sayem Joy, Sohojia, Monosoroni, Leela, Samogeet, Chitkar, Soul Rebel, Biskut, Onnoswar, Saptosindhu, Trimingil and Surjo Sarothi gave their performances in the campus. “Pakhider Jonno Gaan” (Song for the Birds) was organised by little magazine “Hahakar” in association with dhrupodi.com. Photo: Star

Ghashful, a media house organised an Autumn Festival titled “Chhoraye Chhonde Shishir Bhejha Hridoy Chhoye”, at the Seminar Room of Central Public Library on November 30, says a press release. Presided over by poet Muhammad Nurul Huda the function began with Tagore songs by Mohiuzzaman Chowdhury. Bilu Kabir presented the keynote paper on verse literature after the welcome speech of litterateur Ata Sarkar, followed by a literary adda.

Marking 14th death anniversary of Poet Sufia Kamal, cultural organisation Chhayanaut held a memorial programme featuring discussion and musical offerings. Noted writer and a trustee board member of the Liberation War Museum Mafidul Haque delivered “Sufia Kamal Memorial Speech” at the event while vice president of the organisation Dr. Sarwar Ali spoke. Later, artiste of Chhayanaut performed both solo and choral songs originally composed by DL Roy, Atul Prasad and Rajanikanta Sen.

Jatiya Nabanno Utshab Udjapon Parshad held a “Nabanno Utshab” to celebrate the harvest of new crop at Bokultala, Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University on November 15. The festival showcased traditional pitha and cultural shows that included dance, recitation and songs.

“Newsagony”, a performance by Nazia Andaleeb Preema took place at the Bangladesh National Museum on the occasion of 15 years of journey of The Daily Prothom Alo. The performance was a part of the exhibition titled “Newsfood” by Wakilur Rahman.

Sargam, the only regular magazine on music of Bangladesh, organised a discussion session and musical soiree to pay tribute to renowned artistes of the sub-continent -- Manna Dey, Madhury Chattopadhya and folk artiste Reshma, all of whom passed away last month. Sargam Editor Quazi Rownaq Hossain shared some unknown stories of these artistes. A well-appreciated cultural presentation of Sargam Sanskritik Dol and leading singers of the country followed. They presented Manna Dey, Madhury and Reshma's most popular songs like “Sundori Go Dohai Tomar”, “Coffe House er Shei Adda ta”, “Nijere Haraye Khuji”, “Damadam Mast Kalandar”, “Lambi Judai” and more.

Bangladesh Rabindra Sangeet Shilpi Shangstha (BRSSS), Dhaka Mahanagar accorded a reception to Rabindra Sangeet artiste and patron Ameenah Ahmed (C) at the Music and Dance Centre auditorium of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on November 8. Also pictured (L-R): Writer-editor Kazi Rawnak Hossain, artiste Sadi Muhammad, artiste Sajid Akbar and convenor of the reception, Nargis Chowdhury.

Poet Belal Chowdhury receives a crest, shawl and flower bouquet from Rawnak Sultana, Dr. Rakibul Hasan and Nasreen Akhtar, as part of honours conferred by mass media organisation Ghashphul. Poets Rafiq Azad and Asad Chowdhury are also seen. The Autumnal Poetry Festival organised by Ghashphul was held recently at the Public Library auditorium, on the closing day of a book fair by Adorn Publications. Veteran and young poets recited their poems at the event.

As part of its celebration of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relationship between Korea and Bangladesh, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Dhaka organised a cultural programme titled “Charm of Korea-Miracle of Music 2013” at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka. The event was held on October 4 and 5. The musical group of seven musicians—two vocals, pianist, electronic pianist, drummer, bassist and saxophone player performed a variety of beautiful international songs and music. Commerce Minister Ghulam Mohammed Quader was the chief guest at the programme on October 4. Prime Minister's Adviser HT Imam was the chief guest at the programme on October 5. A number of guests, including MPs, high-ranking officials of the Bangladesh government, military officials, business leaders and members of the diplomatic corps were present at the programmes.

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