Entertainment
‘Ei Somoy’: 7 bands including Meghdol perform for Dhaka music lovers
Music lovers in Dhaka turned out at the series premiere of ‘Ei Somoy’, an exclusive series of concerts, at the Liberation War Museum auditorium on Friday (October 14, 2022).
‘Chapter One’ of this series had seven popular bands perform live – Meghdol, Avash, Shonar Bangla Circus, Shohojia, Shohortoli, Bangla Five and Apekkhik – captivating the packed auditorium from 3 pm till 10 pm.
Organised by Acoustica and powered by Metal Freak T-Shirt, the concert began with the performances of Apekkhik.
The autumnal afternoon was then greeted by Bangla Five, enthralling the fans with their popular tracks including “Left Right.” Sohortoli performed their fan-favourites after Bangla Five. Shohojia came up next with their popular tracks “Chhoto Pakhi,” “Ma,” “Jadukor” and more.
Read: Kabir Suman 'to go ahead with concerts in Dhaka'
Fans enjoyed the songs by Shonar Bangla Circus next, known for their unique line-up and majestic theatrical performances. Vocalist Probar Ripon delivered one after another hit of the band, including “Ondho Deyal,” “Ami Valobashi Tomake,” “Mrittu Utpadon Karkhana” and more, alongside the captivating instrumental performances of his bandmates.
Avash with Tanzir Tuhin was up next, covering a couple of popular tracks including “Prithibita Naki Chhoto Hotey Hotey” by the Indian Bangla band Moheener Ghoraguli, alongside originals including “Avash” and “Nishchup Adhar.”
Meghdol, the showstopper band of the night, then took the stage and had the crowd singing along to “Esho Amar Shohore,” “Kichhu Bishad Hok Pakhi,” “Nirban,” and ended the show with their latest track “E Hawa” from their upcoming album ‘Aluminum er Dana.’
“We did this arrangement with some psychedelic bands for the first chapter, and in coming days, new bands will be added to this event,” said Saikot Biswas Tutul, coordinator of the concert. Beyond the capital, ‘Ei Somoy’ will move forward in different parts of the country, he added.
Japanese instrumentalists woo audience at envoy's residence
Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki hosted a performance by a group of traditional Japanese music instrumentalists at his residence on Friday.
The Embassy of Japan invited the troupe “AUN J Classic Orchestra” to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Japan.
Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud and State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Nasrul Hamid, graced the occasion.
Bangladesh's renowned cultural personalities were fascinated by the beautiful tunes of Japanese songs.
The Embassy of Japan will organize a concert by AUN J Classic Orchestra for a bigger audience to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ties on Saturday at 6 pm. Attendance will be on an invite-only basis, but anyone can watch the livestream of the show via the embassy's Facebook page.
Harry Potter star Robbie Coltrane dies aged 72
Robbie Coltrane, the baby-faced comedian and character actor whose hundreds of roles included a crime-solving psychologist on the TV series “Cracker” and the gentle half-giant Hagrid in the “Harry Potter” movies, has died. He was 72.
Coltrane’s agent Belinda Wright said he died Friday at a hospital in his native Scotland, and did not immediately offer other details. She called him “forensically intelligent” and “brilliantly witty” in just one of many tributes made to him.
“Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling, who decades ago had said Coltrane was her first choice to play Hagrid, tweeted Friday that he was “an incredible talent, a complete one off.”
“I was beyond fortunate to know him, work with him and laugh my head off with him,” she wrote.
Born Anthony Robert McMillan in Rutherglen, Scotland, Coltrane was in his early 20s when he began pursuing an acting career and renamed himself in honor of jazz musician John Coltrane.
He already had a notable screen career, with credits including “Mona Lisa,” “Nuns on the Run” and Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of “Henry V” when he broke through on his own as a hard-bitten detective in “Cracker,” the 1990s TV series for which he won best actor at the British Academy Television Awards three years running.
He went on to appear in all eight “Harry Potter” movie as the young wizard’s mentor and had a wide variety of other parts, including a Russian crime boss in the James Bond thrillers “GoldenEye” and “The World is Not Enough” and Pip’s guardian Mr. Jaggers in a 2012 adaptation of Dickens’ “Great Expectations.”
More recently, he received rave reviews for playing a beloved TV star who may harbor a dark secret in the 2016 miniseries “National Treasure.”
On Friday, his “Nuns on the Run” co-star Eric Idle tweeted that he had been talking about Coltrane, “wondering where he was,” when he learned of his death.
“Such a bright and brilliant man. A consummate actor, an extraordinarily funny comedian and an amazing actor. He was also a very good friend,” Idle wrote.
Wright said Coltrane is survived by his sister Annie Rae, his ex-wife Rhona Gemmell and his children Spencer and Alice.
Kabir Suman 'to go ahead with concerts in Dhaka'
Internationally acclaimed Bengal singer-lyricist-composer Kabir Suman is all set to go ahead with his concerts in Dhaka as scheduled -- but the venue has changed.
The three concerts will be held at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB), auditorium instead of Bangladesh National Museum on October 15, 18 and 21.
This is because Kabir Suman has not been given the permission to hold the concerts at Bangladesh National Museum in Shahbagh, Mir Arif Billah of event management firm Peephole, told UNB on Friday.
“I am just saying that Kabir Suman will sing at IEB. Permission is almost done. I will reveal the details later," he added.
Read: No DMP permission for Kabir Suman concert at National Museum
On Thursday, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said that it did not give permission for the Kabir Suman concert, as Bangladesh National Museum is a key point installation.
DMP commissioner MD Shafiqul Islam said, "We did not give permission for the concert at Bangladesh National Museum, as the venue is a key point installation. But if the organisers seek permission to hold the event elsewhere, we will consider it.”
The concerts are set to mark the 30-year anniversary of Kabir Suman’s popular album 'Tomake Chai'.
It's a 'Dream Run' to Florida film fest!
Bangladeshi short documentary film ‘Dream Run’ has been nominated for the Joel Sotolongo Micro Film Award at The 2022 Treasure Coast International Film, Music, & Art Festival in Florida.
The film has been directed by Mohammed Tawhidul Ahsan, who worked with many foreign filmmakers before making his directorial debut.
Team 'Dream Run' also includes Ashraf Uddin Ahmed Joy as director of photography, Joao Ramos as the editor and Meghna Agnihotri as the producer.
Read: Roni Bhowmik’s New Short Film ‘Chakrakar’ released by Vivo
The film is based on the lost rickshaw art of Bangladesh. The film portrays the history and struggles of the artists who paint and decorate rickshaws.
Prior to 'Dream Run', Ahsan worked in the short film ‘Human’ directed by Yann Arthus-Bertrand. The film premiered at the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York in 2014.
In 2018, Ahsan worked in a television movie, titled ‘Uncivil Servant’, directed by Dawn Natalia, which won the Florida Film Gem Award at the Treasure Coast Film Festival in 2020.
Read “Moviegoers and media friends helped save Star Cineplex’s original branch”
Ahsan has also worked as an artistic director and 360-degree filming director for the Virtual Reality Implementation project of the prestigious Bangabandhu Military Museum.
Bangladeshi documentary movie 'Dream Run' is scheduled to be screened at Regal Cinema 14, Jensen Beach, Florida, US, on Friday.
No DMP permission for Kabir Suman concert at National Museum
Internationally acclaimed West Bengal singer-lyricist-composer Kabir Suman is scheduled to perform for fans in Dhaka with three concerts — from Saturday — at the National Museum.
On Thursday, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said that it did not give permission for the Kabir Suman concert, as National Museum is a key point installation (KPI).
DMP Commissioner MD Shafiqul Islam confirmed the matter to UNB, saying, "We did not give permission for the concert at Bangladesh National Museum, as the venue is a key point installation.
The three-day event is being organised by event management company Peephole, which disclosed the details of the event at a press conference at the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro on Wednesday.
Peephole executives Fuad Bin Omar and Mir Arif Billah revealed the arrangement of the concert at the press conference. They, however, did not mention whether they secured permission from DMP or not.
Read: Leading Indian singer Kabir Suman hospitalised
Tickets for the Kabir Suman concert on October 15 and 21 were sold out within 72 hours and tickets for October 18 were nearing being stocked out, the organisers said at the press conference.
They also informed that there will be virtual tickets for Sumon fans at home and abroad.
UNB tried to reach Omar and Billah for comments, but they were unreachable till the time of filing this report.
The concerts were set to mark the 30-year anniversary of Kabir Suman’s popular album “Tomake Chai”.
Actor Masum Aziz on life support
Actor Masum Aziz has been put on life support at a private hospital in the city.
He was admitted to Square Hospital with cardiac problem on October 3 and put on life support as his condition deteriorated on Thursday morning, said Sommilito Sangskritik Jote President Golam Quddus.
He also sought blessings for the actor’s quick recovery.
Masum Aziz has been suffering from heart related ailments for a long time.
Aziz has earned fame through acting on stage, in television dramas and cinemas. He joined the group theater while studying in university.
He acted in his first TV drama in 1985. He has so far acted in more than 400 plays in his long career.
Kanye West’s Instagram, Twitter accounts restricted over anti-Jewish posts
Kanye West’s Twitter and Instagram accounts have been locked because of anti-Jewish posts by the rapper, now known legally as Ye.
Spokespersons for Twitter and Instagram parent Meta said Sunday that Ye posted messages that violated their policies.
In a tweet sent late Saturday, Ye said he would soon go “death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE,” according to internet archive records. That’s an apparent reference to the U.S. military readiness condition scale known as DEFCON.
In the same tweet, which was removed by Twitter, he said: “You guys have toyed with me and tried to black ball anyone whoever opposes your agenda.”
Earlier this month, Ye had been criticized for wearing a “White Lives Matter” T-shirt to his collection at Paris Fashion Week.
Rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs posted a video on Instagram saying he didn’t support the shirt, and urged people not to buy it.
On Instagram, Ye posted a screenshot of a text conversation with Diddy and suggested he was controlled by Jewish people, according to media reports.
Under their policies, the two social networks prohibit the posting of offensive language. Ye’s Twitter account is still active but he can’t post until the suspension ends, after an unspecified period.
Meta, which owns Facebook as well as Instagram, at times will place restrictions on accounts that it deems repeatedly break its rules. The sanctions may include temporary restrictions on posting, commenting or sending direct messages.
Ye had returned to Twitter on Saturday following a nearly two-year hiatus, reportedly after Instagram locked his account.
Billionaire and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who last week renewed his $44 billion offer to buy Twitter following a monthslong legal battle with the company, greeted Ye’s return to the platform before his suspension by tweeting, “Welcome back to Twitter, my friend.”
Musk has said he would remake Twitter into a free speech haven and relax restrictions, although it’s impossible to know precisely how he would run the influential network if he were to take over.
Eminent painter Samarjit Roy Chowdhury passes away
Samarjit Roy Chowdhury, one of the most prominent Bangladeshi artists and art educators, passed away at 2:40 pm in a city hospital on Sunday. The Ekushey Padak-winning painter (85) was suffering from multiple health issues, according to his family.Confirming the matter, Dhaka University fine arts faculty dean Nisar Hossain told the media that the revered artist was admitted to the hospital with heart complications and later suffered from pneumonia.According to Chowdhury’s son Surojit Roy Chowdhury, the art maestro was admitted to Labaid Hospital in the capital on September 5. After a week of treatment, the family took him home on September 12; however, he was readmitted to the hospital on September 15 due to complications.News of his departure created a shadow of grief among the artist community in the country.The artist's body will be placed at DU's fine arts faculty on Monday at 10 am, where his admirers can pay their respects.
Read: Eminent painter Syed Jahangir’s second death anniversary on Tuesday
Born in 1937 in Cumilla, Chowdhury graduated in Graphic Design from the Government Art Institute (presently Faculty of Fine Art, Dhaka University) in 1960. He received direct tutelage from legendary art maestros of the nation including Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, Quamrul Hassan, Anwarul Huq, Mohammed Kibria and Safiuddin AhmedHe joined the Dhaka University Faculty of Fine Art in 1960 and served there for 43 years before retiring as a Professor in 2003. He also taught there as a supernumerary professor since 2014.Up until 2010, he also served as the dean for the Department of Fine and Performing Arts at Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology.In 2014, he received the Ekushey Padak, the second-highest civilian award in Bangladesh, for his meaningful contribution to the country’s art sphere.
“Moviegoers and media friends helped save Star Cineplex’s original branch”
Introducing Bangladeshi audience to world-class movie experience in 2004, Star Cineplex, the first multiplex chain in Bangladesh, celebrated its 18th anniversary yesterday.
The multiplex brand started its journey on October 8, 2004 with its maiden branch in the Dhaka’s Bashundhara City Shopping Mall.
To celebrate 18th anniversary, Star Cineplex organised a gala event on Saturday night at its SKS Tower branch in Mohakhali, which was joined by an ensemble cast of celebrities and media personalities.
Popular actors and directors including Chanchal Chowdhury, Azmeri Haque Badhan, Saimon Sadik, Sumon Anowar, Chayanika Chowdhury; the entire team of the upcoming film ‘Damal’ featuring Siam Ahmed, Bidya Sinha Saha Mim, Shariful Razz, Rashed Mamun Apu, director Raihan Rafi; the team of ‘Operation Sundarban’ including Roshan, director Dipankar Dipon; Star Cineplex produced and National Award-winning film ‘No Dorai’ famed actress Sunehra Binte Kamal and others joined the celebration with Star Cineplex.
“We started our journey 18 years ago with a dream that has now become a reality — that audiences will return to the theatres. Our first two years were spent making people realise what we are offering: the Dolby Atmos surround system, the high definition screens and more. Eventually, the moviegoers gave us their support and we are amazed to observe the love we got from our audiences, filmmakers, artists, journalists and other associates over these years,” Star Cineplex parent company ShowMotion Limited Chairman Mahboob Rahman Ruhel said at the event.
Sharing his gratitude, he told UNB that Star Cineplex is forever indebted to movie lovers, associates and the local media for a particular reason.
"We struggled from the very beginning but things got out of control during the COVID-19 lockdown. Our halls were closed for such a long time, we could not pay our rent to the Bashundhara City authority and as a result, we announced the closing of that branch as we received an eviction notice. The way our beloved moviegoers and media friends helped us at the time, it was unbelievable and that eventually saved the original branch," Ruhel told UNB.
At the event, he announced that the Cineplex authority is already coming up with new branches in major cities and after the commercial and critical success of ‘No Dorai’, Star Cineplex is set to produce 4 new films.
“We initially had a dream that within 18 years, we would have 100 screens — but due to circumstances, we could not open more than 18 screens. That is going to be changed in the coming days, as we are opening new screens almost all over the country. We are very thankful to the government as new theatre entrepreneurs have become eligible to get low-interest loans, which will eventually help the industry grow more,” Star Cineplex chairman said.
Cineplex authority congratulated the teams of ‘Poran’ and ‘Hawa’ at the event. The latter has broken Cineplex’s highest-grossing record of all time, according to Ruhel.
The ceremony ended with cutting cake with the stars, celebrating the 18th birthday of the first Bangladeshi multiplex chain. This was followed by the screenings of two Hollywood films at Star Cineplex — ‘The Woman King’ and ‘The Free Fall.’