Dhaka, Apr 24 (UNB) – Popular singer Mila Islam, often considered a groundbreaking female pop artist of the nation, has expressed her misery at being victimized by her ex-husband and urged journalists to help her survive.

The singer broke down in tears while relaying her horrifying experiences at a press conference on Wednesday, at a restaurant in the capital. Prominent lyricist Asif Iqbal was present at the event, along with Mila’s family members.

Often considered as one of the groundbreaking female singer for her Western-inspired eccentric style in both her music and appearance, Mila started her journey in the music industry in 2006. Her relationship with her now ex-husband, a pilot with US-Bangla Airlines- began also in that year. They got married in 2017, and just a few days later- she found out he was cheating on her and she herself became a victim of domestic violence.

“I loved him unconditionally, and I never wanted to be another example of those artists who cannot value the commitment to their marriages- but he cheated on me. He was engaged in several physical relationships with other women, and brutally assaulted me on several occasions. He cashed in on my popularity and then treated me in the worst possible way. Till date he is threatening me and my father and promised to seek vengeances,”the singer said fighting back tears.

Speaking out as a victim, the singer expressed her standpoint by saying “I could have been another example of those unfortunate women who lost their battles- but I refused to be one. I always maintained sobriety and never attempted to diminish my family’s and nation’s reputation through any of my activities. Therefore, I am seeking justice for all my sufferings.”

Lyricist Asif Iqbal praised Mila for her brave attempt by saying “She is one of the most loved and iconic artists of the nation, and we don’t want her to lose in this battle.”

Mila and her family members requested the journalists to spread her message to the authority and asked for appropriate  punishments to her ex-husband for his misdeeds.
 

Dhaka, Apr 24 (UNB) - The inauguration ceremony of an international fashion design exhibition titled ‘Local International’ was held on Tuesday, 23 April 2019 evening at the Gyantapas Abdur Razzaq Bidyapeeth, Dhanmondi premise.

The exhibition presenting the results of the Fashion Design exchange projects between Bangladesh and Berlin since 2015. This project is initiated by Goethe-Institut Bangladesh, Weissensee School of art and design, Berlin, Berlin University of the Arts- in cooperation with BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology.

In her welcoming speech, Dr. Kirsten Hackenbroch, Director, Goethe-Institut Bangladesh expressed her happiness about the exhibition ‘Local International’ is presented in Dhaka. The five-day show offers a space for reflection and for planning new action: on the production and design processes of (local to global) fashion and on transcultural programs as effective ways to build sustainable co-production and cooperation.

Terming Bangladesh as one of the most important countries in the fashion production, Prof Heike Selmer of the Weissensee School of art and design berlin said that the fashion designers need to know where fashion is produced.

Prof Valeska Schmidt-Thomsen, Berlin University of the Arts has expressed her optimism that the overall fashion scene from both Germany and Bangladesh will be highly benefited from this project.

BUFT’s Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Ayub Nabi Khan highly praised the initiative to promote sustainability, fair- trade and design methods in this exhibition and heartily thanked Goethe-Institut and Bengal Foundation for organizing the event. As an appreciation of the exhibition, Prof. Khan said, “The works displayed in the exhibition by talented designers exhibit few solutions to these issues of existing practices of fashion business and offer future destiny of fashion designers role in achieving a healthy and environmental friendly planet.“

Inaugurating the event, Michael Schultheiss, Deputy Head of Mission, German Embassy recalled his memories for seeing parts of the “Local International” exhibition in Weissensee (Berlin) in April 2016, he congratulated all the organizers of this exhibition for taking up such an issue, which is extremely important and very vital for the cooperation between Bangladesh and Germany.

LOCAL INTERNATIONAL is an international cultural exchange program between Bangladesh and Germany focusing on sustainability and fair production methods within the textile industry. From the year 2015, 48 fashion designers and fashion students from Berlin and Dhaka have been selected to participate in LOCAL INTERNATIONAL project. In lectures and specialized workshops, the participants were given an insight into the topics of sustainability, fair-trade and design methods, in order to develop their own creative approaches, concepts, products and collections. The result of these projects has been presented earlier in two exhibitions: Local International I and Local International II.

The project partners are Goethe-Institut Bangladesh, Weissensee Kunsthochschule Berlin and Universität der Künste Berlin, in cooperation with BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology (BUFT). The Bengal Foundation and the Fashion Revolution are the exhibition partners.

This exceptional exhibition will remain open to all until Sunday, April 28, 2019, every day from 12 pm to 8 pm.

Dhaka, Apr 23 (UNB) – New York-based Bangladeshi singer and composer Rajib Rahman, popularly known by his stage name Double R, has released a new music video named “Ke Tumi” featuring singer Beauty Das. 

Written, tuned and composed by Rajib Rahman himself, the music video has been released under the banner of Rajib Rahman production. The music video was performed by Rajib Rahman and Beauty Das and directed by Shahriar A Bhuiyan. It was shot in New York. 

The music video is available on the official YouTube channel of Double R Production.

Rajib Rahman became popular by doing music for popular Hip-hop music group Stoic Bliss on their debut album “Light years Ahead” which was released in June 2006.

Besides, he dropped several hit songs named “Nitol Paye”, “Nikosh Adhar” and “Mone Pore Jay”.
 

Dhaka, Apr 20 (UNB)- Former cultural affairs minister Asduzzaman Noor has urged parents to motivate their children to explore art, culture and history.

“We need to provide them (students) opportunities like this event where people can learn about their talents,” he said at the opening of a three-day art exhibition at Zainul Gallery of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University (DU) on Saturday.

Eminent cartoonist Prof Rafiqun Nabi, DU Fine Art Faculty Dean Prof Nisar Hossain, UNDP Bangladesh Country Director Sudipto Mukherjee, JICA Country Programme Coordinator Naoki Matsumura and Astrotex Group Director Tahmina Tanji attended the event as special guests.

“I didn’t even imagine that it’d be this amazing,” Nabi said. “This exhibition can surely be considered a bridge between the rural and urban artists.”

Prof Nisar said that such exhibitions are necessary to “create a breathing space” in our society.

Advisor of Art Festival 2019 Gazipur and Additional Secretary of the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry Md Mohsin presided over the programme. He praised the initiative and asked UNDP and JICA to continue their supportive collaborations. 

He and other guests also thanked the attending scouts, who represented the Bhawal Mirzapur Haji Jamir Uddin School and College, Gazipur.

Artworks from ‘Art Festival 2019 Gazipur’, held on March 27-30 at Bhawal Mirzapur Haji Jamir Uddin School and College, will be displayed at the event.

The exhibition will feature art camp, artwork exhibition, folk art and craft fair, art talk, sightseeing, cultural programmes and more. It will remain open from 11am to 8pm every day till Monday.
 

New York, Apr 20 (AP/UNB) — Adele and her husband Simon Konecki have separated.

The pop singer's representatives Benny Tarantini and Carl Fysh confirmed the news Friday in a statement to The Associated Press.

"Adele and her partner have separated," the emailed statement said. "They are committed to raising their son together lovingly. As always they ask for privacy. There will be no further comment."

Adele gave birth to their son, Angelo, in 2012.

The Grammy-winning British superstar has been private about her relationship, but confirmed she married Konecki when she won album of the year at the 2017 Grammys. In her acceptance speech, she said: "Grammys, I appreciate it. The Academy, I love you. My manager, my husband and my son — you're the only reason I do it."

Konecki co-founded Life Water, an eco-friendly brand of bottled water in the U.K. Funds from the company assists the charity that Konecki runs, Drop4Drop, which provides clean water to countries in need.

A representative for Konecki could not be reached.