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Curtain rises on ‘Coke Studio Bangla’ with Arnob in all-important producer's seat
State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid said on Monday that music was one of the main and influential sources of inspiration for the Bengali nation in various democratic movements, including the Language Movement of 1952 and the great Liberation War of 1971.
The minister was speaking as the special guest at the launching ceremony of ‘Coke Studio Bangla,’ which will be the local adaptation of the widely-acclaimed platform for fusion music that started in Pakistan.in the early 2000s. Monday night's launch was organized by Coca-Cola Bangladesh in the ballroom of the Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden.
“February is the month of our glorious Language Movement, and our enriched musical heritage is widely revered by music enthusiasts around the world. I believe Coca-Cola Bangladesh's debut of the 'Coke Studio Bangla' platform, the Bengali version of 'Coke Studio' for Bengali speakers in many nations across the world, including Bangladesh, is an amazing initiative in this glorious month,” the minister said at the event.
Highlighting the popularity of Coke Studio for its fusion songs, he added, “I believe that 'Coke Studio Bangla' will become more popular worldwide than the way ‘Coke Studio’ has gained popularity in different countries of the world, including our neighbouring country India. We are hopeful that this wonderful platform will further uphold the glory of our diverse collection of songs."
READ: Lata Mangeshkar: India's Legendary Singing Diva
State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak also spoke as the special guest on the occasion, while Coca-Cola Bangladesh Managing Director Ta Duy Tung delivered the welcome speech.
Popular singer-composer and music producer of ‘Coke Studio Bangla’ Shayan Chowdhury Arnob, singer-actor and Coca-Cola Bangladesh’s brand ambassador Tahsan Khan, folk-icon and Member of Parliament Momtaz Begum, and other popular music stars including Bappa Mazumder, Ankhi Alamgir and others also joined the gala launching event of the world-famous musical fusion programme.
The ‘Coke Studio Bangla’ Season 1 theme song "Ekla Cholo" was also premiered at the event, simultaneously released at Coke Studio Bangla’s Facebook and YouTube platforms. The song is a beautiful fusion rendition of Bengali Polymath Rabindranath Tagore’s popular song “Jodi Tor Daak Shune Keu Na Ashe,” Baul singer Gagan Harkara's famous song "Ami Kothay Pabo Tare" and popular band Shironamhin’s cult hit song “Tumi Cheye Achho Tai,” performed by Arnob, Bappa Mazumder, Samina Chowdhury, Momtaz, Kona, Pantha Kanai, Rituraj, Masha, Mizan, Boga Taleb, Sheikh Ishtiaque and more. The inaugural event was then followed by musical performances by the project's participants.
Coke Studio's first season will premiere in mid-February, featuring a total of ten tracks. Music enthusiasts will be able to enjoy the fusion performances on Coca-Cola Bangladesh's official Facebook page, YouTube channel and Spotify.
HC stays decision cancelling Zayed Khan's candidacy
The High Court on Monday stayed the decision of the Appellate Board revoking the candidacy of Zayed Khan in the Bangladesh Film Artistes’ Association election.
The HC bench of Justice Mamnoon Rahman and Khandaker Diliruzzaman passed the order following a writ petition filed by Zayed Khan challenging the validity of the decision of the Election Appellate Board.
The court also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain why the decision to cancel his candidacy should not be announced illegal.
Besides, the court asked Zayed Khan to continue his activities as general secretary,said advocate Ahsanul Karim.
Advocate Yusuf Hossain Humayun, Advocate Ahsanul Karim and Advocate Nahid Sultana Zuthi stood for Zayed Khan and Barrister Rokon Uddin Mahmud was present on behalf of actress Nipun while Deputy Attorney General Bipul Bagmar represented the state.
Read: Zayed Khan loses gen secy post, Nipun back
The court also fixed February 15 for the rule hearing.
Earlier on Saturday, the Election Appellate Board decided to remove Zayed from the post of general secretary of the association over the allegations that he had resorted to irregularities in the association’s recent election.
Sohanur Rahman Sohan, chairman of the Appellate Board, announced the decision at the FDC on Saturday evening.
Earlier, the election of the artistes’ association was held on January 28.
Zayed was declared winner in the general secretary post defeating Nipun in a close contest. It was his third consecutive win.
Lata Mangeshkar: India's Legendary Singing Diva
Lata Mangeshkar is one of the most celebrated singers of all time in India. Her career spans over six decades and she has sung in more than thirty-six different languages, including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, Gujarati, Bengali, Assamese, and Urdu. During her eventful career, Lata sang more than 20,000 songs. Legendary vocalist Lata Mangeshkar's life came to an end at 92 years on February 6, 2022. This article will take you through a glimpse of her eventful life and career.
Early Life
Lata Mangeshkar was born at Indore in Madhya Pradesh under India on September 28, 1929. She was the eldest of the five children of Deenanath Mangeshkar, a renowned Marathi and Konkani singer, and his wife, Shevanti. From an early age, Lata showed a great interest in music and began learning to sing from her father. She started singing at the age of five and made her first public appearance at the age of nine. Her journey as a professional singer started at the age of 13.
Read Lata Mangeshkar: Tributes abound from cultural arena for 'India's Nightingale'
Career
Lata Mangeshkar started her career in 1942, singing Marathi songs. In 1947, she sang for the first Hindi movie. She sang the song 'Pa Lagu Kar Jori' in Basant Joglekar's 'Aap Ki Sewa Mein'. Two years later, composer Ghulam Haider gave him his first big chance. After that, she continued singing. Known as the 'Nightingale of India', Lata Mangeshkar has sung nearly 30,000 songs in 36 Indian languages in her more than half-century-long career.
When Lata was only 13 years old (1942), Deennath Mangeshkar died of a heart attack. As a result, the responsibility of the entire family fell on 13-year-old Lata.
Master Vinayak, the owner of Navajug Chitrapat Film Company, a friend of the family, came and stood beside the Mangeshkar family. As a child, Lata occasionally sang in movies. But Binayak advised her to take singing and acting as a career. However, her song 'Khelu Sari Money House Vari' sung in a Marathi film was dropped from the final cut of the film. Yet Lata did not give up.
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Master Vinayak assigned a small character for Lata Mangeshkar in his film ‘Pahili Mangala-Gaur’. In this film, she sang the song 'Natali Chaitrachi Navalai' composed by Dada Chandekar. However, There was still a constant battle with her life. She has never been able to find a film career interesting. She focused on playback singing.
After Binayak's death, music director Ghulam Haider became Lata's guru. On his 84th birthday, she said, Ghulam Haider was the "godfather" of her life. Ghulam Haider took the opportunity to give a chance to Lata, she sang 'Dil Mera Tora, Mujhe Kahi Ka Na Chhora' in the movie 'Majboor' (1948). This one song forced the Bollywood industry to think about this new singer. The first big hit of her life was the song 'Aayega Aanewala' from the movie 'Mahal' (1949). Actress Madhubala synced her lips in this song.
That was just the beginning. Then hundreds of songs took the hearts of millions of people. She got appreciation from people from all sectors and achieved innumerable awards and titles. In the fifties, she sang with all the renowned music directors. In the sixties, she produced all-time famous songs like 'Peer Kiya To Darna Kya' or 'Ajib Dastan Hai Yeh' and more.
Read Akash Jure Megh on Bongo: Another Bangla adaptation of a Turkish hit TV series
Zayed Khan loses gen secy post, Nipun back
Newly elected general secretary of Bangladesh Film Artistes’ Association Zayed Khan has lost his position amid allegations that he resorted to irregularities in the association’s recent elections. Zayed’s main polls rival actress Nipun demanded a re-election in the post accusing him of buying votes with money.Based on the allegations, the Election Appellate Board has decided to remove Zayed from the post of general secretary of the association.Sohanur Rahman Sohan, chairman of the Appellate Board announced the decision at the FDC on Saturday evening.Earlier, the election of the artistes’ association was held on January 28.
Read: Pori Moni-Raaz enjoy hilsa at Mawa
Zayed was declared winner in general secretary post defeating Nipun in a close contest. It was his third consecutive win. However, Nipun complained that Zayed had “committed corruption” in the election.Nipun also held a press conference to explain her allegations. She also lodged a written complaint with the Election Appeal Board.Although Nipun took part in it, Zayed was absent. In his absence, Sohanur Rahman Sohan announced that Zayed’s candidacy has been rejected on allegations of election irregularities. Instead, the other candidate, Nipun, has won without contest.Zayed had been the general secretary of the Film Artistes’ Association for two consecutive terms.
Actor Ilias Kanchan was elected president in last month’s election.
Making the virtual world a safer place for kids!
To promote a safer internet environment for children, State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak has launched a new digital initiative.
The 'Safe Internet and Early Childhood Development' initiative is the brainchild of Sesame Workshop Bangladesh, the producer of favourite children’s programme Sisimpur.
In 2021, around 30% of children faced different types of abuse on virtual platforms and 8% of them even encountered sexual harassment.
Keeping this concerning data in mind, this initiative will work to ensure a safer internet by increasing access to and awareness of safe online web spaces, Sesame Workshop Bangladesh said.
Read: Akash Jure Megh on Bongo: Another Bangla adaptation of a Turkish hit TV series
As part of the initiative, Sesame Workshop Bangladesh will develop guidelines for parents and caregivers to promote safe internet practices with their children.
Besides, a new mobile game on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)-related topics, as well as new story books and digital materials for schools across the country, will be designed.
Under this programme, beloved Sisimpur friends like Tuktuki, Halum, Shiku, and Ikri will join in an awareness campaign to promote safe internet practices.
Funded by the Internet Society Foundation (ISF), Sesame Workshop Bangladesh will also conduct research on children’s safety in the virtual world and best practices for online education platforms.
Among others, Guilherme Gonsales Rocca e Souza, Grant Specialist, ISF, Dr BM Mainul Hossain, Associate Professor, Information & Technology Institute, Dhaka University, Sabila Enun, Director of DCASTALIA, and Mohammad Shah Alam, Managing Director of Sesame Workshop Bangladesh, attended the inauguration event on Monday.
First Arabic Netflix film tackles taboos, sparks controversy
A Lebanese father tells his teenage daughter she is free to choose whether to have sex with her boyfriend despite his reservations.
An Egyptian wife discreetly slips off her black, lacy underwear from under her clothes before heading out for dinner, and it’s not her husband she’s trying to tantalize.
And in a dramatic moment, a man reveals that he is gay, a secret he has kept from his longtime friends who are shocked — but seem mostly accepting.
READ: ‘World Film Manifesto Program’ at DU to showcase Emir Kusturica
The scenes in the first Arabic Netflix movie have sparked a public drama as intense as the one that plays out onscreen. On social media and TV talk shows and among friends in Egypt and other Middle East countries, a torrent of critics have denounced the film as a threat to family and religious values, encouraging homosexuality and unfit for Arab societies.
Others have rallied to the film’s defense, saying detractors are in denial about what happens behind closed doors in real life. Those who don’t like the movie, they argue, are free to not subscribe to Netflix or simply skip the film.
Titled “Ashab Wala A’azz,” which means “No Dearer Friends,” the movie is an Arabic version of the Italian hit “Perfect Strangers,” which has inspired many other international remakes. It tells the story of seven friends at a dinner party gone wrong after the hostess suggests that, as a game, they agree to share any calls, text and voice messages. As smart phones buzz, secrets are revealed, infidelities are exposed and relationships are tested.
The controversy has re-ignited debates in the region over artistic freedom versus social and religious sensitivities; censorship; what constitutes a taboo in different societies and portrayal of gay characters.
One irony is that Netflix in the Middle East shows many non-Arabic movies and series that feature gay characters in a positive light, premarital and extramarital sex and even nudity — which is typically banned in cinemas in the region — with little outcry.
But to see those themes broached in an Arabic-language movie with Arab actors went too far for some. (The movie has no nudity; it’s largely an hour and half of people talking around a dinner table.)
READ: 3-day long dance festival begins at BSA Thursday
“I think if it’s a normal foreign movie, I will be ok. But because it’s an Arabic movie, I didn’t accept it,” said 37-year-old Elham, an Egyptian who asked for her last name to be withheld due to the sensitivity of the topic. “We don’t accept the idea of homosexuality or intimate relations before marriage in our society, so what happened was a cultural shock.”
Homosexuality is a particularly strong taboo in Egypt: A 2013 survey by the Pew Research Center found that 95% in the country say it should be rejected by society; in Lebanon, that number stood at 80% at the time.
The movie’s cast are mostly prominent Lebanese stars and its events are set in Lebanon. There, it has garnered many positive reviews. Fans said it discussed relatable topics away from stereotypes that are usually attached to gay characters or cheating spouses on screen.
“There’s nothing like the Arab world’s hatred of the truth,” Rabih Farran, a Lebanese journalist, said in a tweet, referring to the backlash.
It’s not the first time that an Arabic-language movie has featured gay characters.
Most famously, the 2006 movie “The Yacoubian Building” with a cast of A-list Egyptian actors caused a stir for, among other things, including a gay main character. But the character was ultimately killed by his lover in what many saw as punishment.
In contrast, the gay character in “Ashab Wala A’azz” is not depicted negatively. Another character encourages him to expose his former employers who let him go for his sexual identity.
Fatima Kamal, a 43-year-old Egyptian, said she didn’t find it to be promoting same-sex relationships. She argued that some Egyptian movies in the past were more daring.
“The movie touched on issues that the society refuses to confront but they do happen,” she said. “We all have a dark side and hidden stories.”
Kamal, who has a 12-year-old son, also dismissed the idea the film would corrupt Arab youth.
“Technology has changed society. Restricting movies is not the answer,” she said. “The solution is to watch based on age ratings and to talk to the young and make them understand that not everything we see on the screen is OK.”
Talking on a popular TV show, Egyptian lawmaker Mostafa Bakry contended Egyptian and Arab family values are being targeted.
“This is neither art nor creativity,” he said. “We must ban Netflix from being in Egypt” even if temporarily.
Magda Maurice, an art critic debating Bakry on the show, disagreed. “This movie exposes what mobile phones do to people and to their normal lives,” she said.
“You cannot ban anything now but you can confront it with good art,” she added. “Banning has become a thing of the past.”
In Egypt, much of the furor focused on the sole Egyptian woman in the cast, Mona Zaki, one of the country’s biggest stars. Her character is the one seen slipping off her underwear, a gesture that many critics decried as scandalous.
In social media, some attacked her for participating in the film. The online abuse extended to actors and actresses who supported her or praised her performance. Some criticized her real-life husband, an Egyptian movie star in his own right, for “allowing” her to play the role.
The Egyptian actors syndicate came out in support of Zaki, saying it will not abide verbal abuse or intimidation against actors over their work. It said that freedom of creativity “is protected and defended by the syndicate,” while adding that it is committed to the values of Egyptian society.
The Associated Press reached out to Netflix for a comment on the controversy but didn’t receive one.
Egypt has long celebrated its cinema industry, which earned it the nickname “Hollywood of the East,” lured actors from other Arabic-speaking countries and brought Egyptian movies and dialect into Arab homes the world over.
Film critic Khaled Mahmoud said Egypt “used to produce powerful and daring movies in the 1960s and 1970s.” But much of that adventurousness has been lost with the trend of so-called “clean cinema,” emphasizing themes deemed family appropriate with no physical intimacy or immodest attire, he added.
“Society has changed, and the viewership culture has become flawed.”
Story lines about affairs or sexual relations are not uncommon in Arabic films. But female stars are commonly grilled in interviews over whether they would agree to wear swimsuits or kiss co-stars on camera.
“Our job is to let art be art,” Mahmoud said. “We cannot critique art through a moral lens.”
Actress Poppy: 'My membership of Shilpi Somity was terminated'
Dhallywood actress Sadika Parveen Poppy has received a letter terminating her membership of the film artists’ association and claimed that she has repeatedly been humiliated.
Poppy, who has not been active in the media for quite some time, on Wednesday evening made a video statement on social media.
She said, “I thought I would never come in front of the camera again. But as an artist I have responsibilities. I have received the National Film Award three times and worked with a reputation for over 26 years in the industry.”
She said she had been repeatedly humiliated by a member of the current artist association through its politics and its many forms of non-cooperation. Riaz, Ferdous, Purnima and Nipun have also been humiliated, she said.
She also said how humiliating it was for her to receive the letter of membership terminating her membership of the artists' association (Shilpi Somity) after working for so many years.
So, she urged the members of the association not to make the mistake they did and to choose the right candidate through election.
One of the most salient issues, and almost ideological points of difference between the two competing panels in this year's election is the membership in the association of 184 persons who, like Poppy, were degraded from full to associate membership - among other things, depriving them of voting rights in association matters under the current Misha-Zayed panel.
This was supposed to have been done after scrutiny through a vetting process to weed out those whose body of work did not measure up to merit membership of the association. The names of various artists with substantial credits in plenty of Dhallywood movies appearing on the list of 184 suggested this was not always followed.
Now the revelation that Poppy is among them, plus the context she narrated may come as a blow to the incumbents when votes are cast this Friday (28 January). Allegations persisted throughout the campaign period that the membership vetting process had also been used to carry out vendettas, political and otherwise, by the Misha-Zayed panel.
Their opponents, the Kanchan-Nipun panel, has fought the election on a platform to restore full membership of the 184.
Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul's third death anniversary observed
Ekushey Padak-winning music-director, lyricist, composer and freedom fighter Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul's third death anniversary was observed on Saturday. The revered music icon passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest on this day in 2019.
Family members and admirers of Bulbul observed the occasion remembering his life and works throughout the day.
Born in Dhaka on New Year's Day in 1956, Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul completed his schooling at the West End High School in Azimpur.
When Bangladesh stood against the oppression of Pakistani rulers in 1971 and declared Independence, Bulbul joined the Liberation War at the age of 15 and was stationed in Zinzira at a Mukti Bahini base during the War.
Read: ‘World Film Manifesto Program’ at DU to showcase Emir Kusturica
He trained in India before fighting in Dhaka's Lalbagh Thana and New Market Thana. While traveling to India for extra training in October, 1971 - he was apprehended by the Pakistani military and Razakars.
He was then taken to a jail in Mymensingh, where he was tortured and saw the Pakistan military execute 39 Mukti Bahini detainees. He was transported to Dana Miah's home, which operated as the East Pakistan Central Peace Committee's local office. Along with other Mukti Bahini members, he was tortured there.
After the Independence, Bulbul's glorious career started as the revered music icon, beginning with 'Megh Bijli Badol' in 1978.
He wrote and composed hundreds of fan-favourite songs. released independent albums and created works for a number of Bangladeshi performers in his four decades long career.
In addition to Bulbul's musical ventures, he also became a judge on the country's first-ever musical reality show 'Closeup 1 Tomakei Khujchhe Bangladesh' for three seasons.
Read: 3-day long dance festival begins at BSA Thursday
For his excellence in the Bangladeshi music industry, Bulbul received the National Film Award in the Best Music Director category twice - first in 2001 for his work in 'Premer Tajmahal' and in 2005 for 'Hajar Bochhor Dhore'.
He was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2010 for his outstanding contribution to the country’s music industry. He also received the coveted Bachsas (Bangladesh Cholochitra Sangbadik Samity) Awards for 11 time throughout his career.
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‘World Film Manifesto Program’ at DU to showcase Emir Kusturica
The 132nd World Film Manifestation Program (WFMP) is going to be held at the Munier Chowdhury Auditorium of Dhaka University’s TSC starting from Sunday.
The event, organized by Dhaka University Chalachitra Sangsad, will end on Monday.
The purpose of this event is to introduce film lovers to the most admired films of all the famous filmmakers of the world.
Read: 3-day long dance festival begins at BSA Thursday
So far, 131 editions of WFMP have been organized since 2000. The upcoming 132nd iteration will feature the films of two-time ‘Palme d'Or’ award-winning Serbian filmmaker Emir Kusturica.
Four of Kusturica's films have been lined up for the event - screening two on each day. It starts Sunday at 3:30 pm with 'Black Cat, White Cat', followed by 'Underground' at 6pm.
Monday's line up consists of 'Arizona Dream,' a Surrealist comedy starring Hollywood star Johnny Depp, at the 3.30pm slot, followed at 6pm again by 'Time of the Gypsies,' for which Kusturica won Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival.
Anyone can enjoy these films at free of cost as it is open for all.
3-day long dance festival begins at BSA Thursday
A 3-day dance festival with participation of 75 dance troops will begin on Thursday at Jatiya Natyashala in Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA).
The dance festival will be inaugurated at 4 pm by State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid as the chief guest and President of Bangladesh Nrityashilpi Sangstha Minu Haque as special guest.
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Director General of BSA Liaquat Ali Lucky briefed reporters about the festival on Wednesday.
He said, through this event BSA has been able to patronize 75 dance troops.
Of the troops, 50 have been provided with financial assistance of TK 1 lakh and remaining 25 troops with TK 80,000 each.
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