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Prince Mahmud - Maqsood to release new track after two decades on Eid Ul Adha
Popular music director, composer and lyricist Prince Mahmud and eminent singer-musician-lyricist Maqsoodul Haque have worked together on a brand new song, two decades after their last collaborated track "Keno Mon Niye Eto Dao Jontrona" from the 1996 mixed album “Khoma.”
The frontman of the band Maqsood O Dhaka and founding member of the legendary band Feedback, Maqsood’s new song is titled "Shatey-Panchey" which is composed by Prince Mahmud and the music arranged is by Sajid Sarker.
Lyrics for the song are penned by Samuel Haque, while the music video is directed by Nazmus Sadat Nayeem.
From the music label G-series, the song is scheduled to be released during Eid-ul-Adha.
This latest collaboration came with an interesting backdrop, through a Facebook post - according to Prince Mahmud, who shared the track "Keno Mon Niye Eto Dao Jontrona" from the 1996 album “Khoma.” Shared from Prince Mahmud's social media account on June 30, the post made fans nostalgic about the song and the album.
Also Read: Ustad Rashid Khan to sing in 'Coke Studio Bangla' Season Two
“On such a day in 1996, we released “Khoma.” Not so on the first or second day, but after a while, “Khoma” was playing wherever I went. No matter if it’s a 10-year-old child or the youth of 21-30, everyone played “Khoma” at that time. "Keno Mon Niye Eto Dao Jontrona" was the first song of the album, sung by Maqsood bhai,” Prince Mahmud wrote on the post.
Yesterday, Prince Mahmud announced his latest collaboration with Maqsood, and overwhelmed with the nostalgic response he received in the previous post, Prince Mahmud wrote: “Felt good by receiving these heart-warming responses from all of you. Hopefully everyone likes the new song, keep us in your prayers.”
Released in 1996, the album, composed by Prince Mahmud, was a compilation of songs from different bands and is still considered as the 'best-mixed' band album of the 90s.
Ustad Rashid Khan to sing in 'Coke Studio Bangla' Season Two
Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri winning eminent Indian classical singer and musician Ustad Rashid Khan, known for his many iconic classical and Bollywood numbers, has recently revealed that he is all set to perform in the upcoming second season of the popular musical show Coke Studio Bangla.
On his 54th birthday last Friday, the Indian classical maestro revealed the information to Anandabazar Patrika during an interview.
Read:Coke Studio Bangla concert held at Army Stadium
His son Arman Khan, also a classical singer and musician, will also be performing alongside Khan, he informed.
"I always like to do fusion. I have performed fusion before, there are also recordings of my fusion. This time I will do fusion with my son in Bangladesh, as part of the Coke Studio Bangla," the Rampur-Sahaswan gharana artist of Indian classical music said.
"This would certainly be a song of classical music; however, I will try to make that fusion from a slightly different angle. Currently, I am thinking and planning about the song," Khan added.
Regarding his involvement in the next season, Coke Studio Bangla Creative Producer Syed Gousul Alam Shaon informed that the eminent classical maestro was all set to join the ongoing maiden edition of Coke Studio Bangla, but the plan was rescheduled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Confirming his addition, Shaon told media that the second season of Coke Studio Bangla will bring even more enthralling musical experiences to the audiences.
The ongoing season one of the international platform has already received rave reviews for its fusion tracks, blending folks and modern Bangla songs.
Read:Coke Studio's 'Chiltey Roud': Arnob whips up another magical track
So far, total seven songs have been released from season one, and the latest song "Shob Loke Koy" is a fusion tribute to Bengali Baul Fakir Lalon Shai and Indian mystic poet Kabir Das, performed by Kaniz Khandaker Mitu and Indian singer Soumyadeep Sikdar, who is known as Murshidabadi and a disciple of Ustad Rashid Khan.
Shayan Chowdhury Arnob, Curator and Producer of the Coke Studio Bangla Season One, has arranged the music and produced the fusion track which currently stands with over 3.1 million views on YouTube.
Curtain closes on 'Letter to the City'
Over the weekend (Friday, Saturday) the artistic event "Letter to the City" was held at Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed Park's library space in Dhaka's Gulshan-2.
Dhaka Memory, an experimental collective of artists and architects, hosted this event, with the support of the German Embassy in Dhaka and the Rotary Club of Dhaka Pathfinders.
The two-day event featured different activities including book launching and book reading sessions, puppet show, discussion, letter writing, memory gameplay, drawing sessions, and live music.
Friday, the special book "Everyday Stories" was launched at the event. The book is an anthology that comprises stories of the everyday struggles and triumphs of six girls from Dhaka's Karail slum.
Winners of K-pop contests Dhaka announced
The South Korean Embassy in Dhaka Saturday announced the winners of the K-pop contests in Dhaka.
The event was organised by the embassy in collaboration with the Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB).Many talented Bangladeshi people, especially youngsters, interested in Korean culture and K-pop participated in the event.
Eighty-six videos were submitted on K-pop performances this year.
Twelve teams – Omada, Noor E Saba, Mahfuz Ahmed Mahee, Ruquiyah Binte Kalam, Mavericks, Zafrin Siddiqui, After Game, Knight Sisters, A-Maze, Savage Girls, RaRaLava, and Rumaisa Islam – were selected for the stage performance today at the IUB auditorium.
Mavericks won the first prize. Savage Girls and RaRaLava became second runners-up. Rumaisa Islam and Knight Sisters earned third place. These five best teams were awarded at the performance stage.The K-pop World Festival 2022 will be held in September in South Korea's Changwon after taking stock of the Covid-19 situation.
The national winners of Bangladesh will be recommended to the K-Pop World Festival 2022 organiser for its final selection for an invitation to the festival. If selected by the organiser, they will be invited to the global competition in Changwon.
South Korean Ambassador Lee Jang-keun said this is the first physical K-Pop event arranged by the Embassy after the K-Pop contests were held online for two consecutive years.
Ambassador Lee highly appreciated all those Bangladesh young girls and boys who showed great interest in K-pop by participating in the contest.
Professor Tanweer Hasan, vice-chancellor of IUB, was present as the special guest, and Syed Ashik Rahman, CEO of RTV, as a judge.
The South Korean Embassy in Dhaka regularly holds various cultural events, such as Korean film festivals, taekwondo competitions, and K-pop contests, to deepen the mutual understanding between South Koreans and Bangladeshis through culture and strengthen bilateral ties.
As Bangladesh and South Korea will celebrate 50 years of their diplomatic ties next year, the embassy will host more dynamic cultural events to commemorate deepened bilateral friendship.
The mission encouraged more talented Bangladeshi youths to participate in the next year's K-pop contests.
‘Hasina: A Daughter's Tale’ to be rescreened in historical city Athens Sunday
Hasina: A Daughter's Tale, a docudrama capturing the hard-to-believe real-life story of a woman struggling to reclaim her space in her own country, continues to earn rave reviews across the globe, with Greek city Athens being the latest in the line to screen it for the audience.
A special screening of the docudrama will take place in 'We Need Books' Multicultural Library in the historical city on Sunday at 8.30pm (Athens Time), according to the Centre for Research & Information (CRI).
The 70-minute docufiction starts dramatically with Sheikh Hasina, then staying far from her homeland, bumping into the horrifying update that a diabolical coup had killed nearly all family members.
That brief moment of the end-of-the-world shock foreshadowed a stranger-than-fiction story of a woman's fight against a world of challenges.
Read: Screening of 'Hasina: A Daughter's Tale' connects Kolkata audience
Directed by Piplu Khan and produced by CRI Trustees Radwan Mujib Siddiq and Nasrul Hamid, the movie culminated in success following five years of research and effort, presenting the never-told-before stories of the life of Hasina instead of her official role as the prime minister.
The docudrama offered first-person narratives of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana, telling the tales of their lives as daughters of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The film was also screened in a number of prestigious film festivals, earning acclamation from the audience who spotted a parallel between the political histories of Nigeria and Bangladesh, both having encountered notorious coups.
Earlier, think tank CRI has taken numerous initiatives to bring history closer to the young generation, including Hasina: A Daughter's Tale, Mujib Graphic Novel, Joy Bangla Concert, and Joy Bangla Youth Award.
Jewellery exhibition 'Pleasantness: The Story of Madhuree' begins at AFD
Fashion consultant Madhuree Sanchita Smrity's jewellery exhibition began at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) Friday.
The "Pleasantness: The Story of Madhuree" has been arranged with pieces of jewellery crafted out of seeds from different trees, soils, oysters, joists, conches, pearls and other natural resources along with golds, silvers, steels, irons, coppers, and brasses.
Madhuree, now working for fashion house Rang, was born in Jhalakathi. She completed her honours from the Faculty of Fine Art of Dhaka University in 2006.
"The Pleasantness: The Story of Madhuree" is Madhuree's first solo jewellery exhibition. It is devoted to her immense interest in finding the beauty of nature, and nature's impact on her life and contemporary thoughts.
"The nature that surrounds me is my inspiration. From the beginning of creation, people consciously and subconsciously nurtured nature in different ways. Since childhood, I have been fascinated by nature's beauty, smell and rhythm," the fashion consultant said.
Read: Curtain rises on Shilpo Bangla Art Exhibition
"Leaves' colour, shapes of roots, ocean waves, riversides, colours of the sky, and the way they change in different seasons moved me. I coloured my work with natural colours as well."
"I use seeds with yarns, wooden beads, clays, conches, pearls, coppers, silvers and golds. Seeds are the source of life, the root of all creation. Using seeds with other elements, I convey my love for nature, and want to give life to my creations," Madhuree said.
The exhibition will be open to all till July 8, Monday to Saturday, from 3pm to 9pm.
FashionTV hits Dhaka’s Catwalk and Beyond
Fashion and lifestyle broadcasting channel FashionTV has announced a major expansion to Bangladesh through its partnership with Bongo.
Bongo, the country's first video streaming service provider in Bangladesh, allows its network of more than 209 million subscribers to watch Bengali content online anytime, anywhere, said a media release on Thursday.
Besides its Bangla entertainment library with over 15,000 hours’ worth of content, the streaming platform o has 45+ local and foreign Live TV channels.
Also read:Bongo introduces its newest Live TV addition ‘FashionTV’
Now Bongo introduces its newest Live TV addition, FashionTV, a global 24/7 Television Network with an exclusive focus on Fashion, Beauty, Design and Lifestyle.
Fashion TV was founded in Paris in 1997 by Michel Adam, the company’s President.
"Fashion TV (www.ftv.com) has been developed as a leading lifestyle TV channel, in addition to focusing on top Brands, Models and Designers. Fashion TV has launched Programs such as Fashion Destination, Fashion Fitness, Fashion and Films, Fashion and Sport, focus on luxury watches and Cars and other Luxury Items Programming on o er will include the latest international content on lifestyle, beauty, celebrities, as well as destinations, fitness, children and wellness. On Bongo, FashionTV HD will also focus on regional trends based on the Muslim fashion", said President of FTV, Michel Adam.
Also read: Three-day clothing and fashion products exhibition begins in city
Specifically for Bangladesh, "finding a balance between what's shown and what’s hidden is a regular part of fashion. Together with FashionTV, we aim to associate more with the local fashion, lifestyle and entertainment community, playing an active role in supporting Dhaka as an innovative and dynamic fashion hub," said Bongo's Head of Licensing & Distribution, Karoline Hoeppner.
Britney Spears' ex ordered to trial on stalking charge
A California judge found Monday that there is enough evidence against a man once briefly married to Britney Spears who showed up uninvited at the pop star's wedding to go to trial on a felony stalking charge.
After a two-hour preliminary hearing, Ventura County Judge David Worley ruled that 40-year-old Jason Allen Alexander should be held to answer on the charge, along with misdemeanor counts of trespassing, vandalism and battery, court records showed.
Not guilty pleas to all the charges were entered by an attorney for Alexander, who did not attend and remains jailed.
Also read: Britney Spears marries Sam Asghari in California
Spears married longtime boyfriend Sam Asghari at her home in Thousand Oaks, California, on June 9, in front of several dozen guests including Selena Gomez, Drew Barrymore, Paris Hilton and Madonna.
Alexander, a childhood friend of Spears to whom she was married for less than three days in 2004, appeared uninvited at the house before the ceremony, livestreaming his raid on Instagram.
Richard Eubler, a since-fired security guard for Spears, testified at Monday's hearing that Alexander got inside her house and up to the locked door of Spears' bedroom while she was inside, according to multiple media reports.
Also read: Britney Spears’ dad will exit conservatorship, but not yet
Eubler said Alexander had also tried to enter the property in the days before the wedding.
Alexander's attorney, Sandra Bisignani, argued there was no evidence he had any intention of harming Spears.
‘Turongomi’ to join world’s largest dance parades in Korea
Bangladeshi dance team ‘Turongomi Repertory Dance Theatre’ is going to take part at the ‘Daegu Colorful Festival 2022’ in Korea from July 8-11.
Turongomi, under the leadership of dance artist Pooja Sengupta, is the first ever Bangladeshi dance team to receive an invitation for Daegu Colorful Festival, said a press release on Monday.
The festival is one of the largest dance parades in the world, organized by The Government of Korea.
In a formal letter to Pooja Sengupta, Artistic Director of Turongomi, the organisers expressed that Turongomi’s participation will create a greater platform for popularizing Bangladeshi dance and culture in Korea.
The organisers also congratulated Turongomi for popularizing Bangladeshi dance in Asia.
The ten-member delegation of Turongomi will fly to Seoul on July 5 and will present two of their popular productions ‘Panchforon: The Essence of Bangladesh’ and ‘Nondini: The Savior of the World’ conceptualized, designed, choreographed and directed by Pooja Sengupta.
Read: Azmeer Hossain's 'The Beckoning Horizon' goes on at Edge Gallery
Recently Pooja represented Bangladesh at the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) UNESCO Resili-Art Festival in Manila, Philippines in April this year. The participation was organized and sponsored by UNESCO, ITI and Government of Philippines.
Pooja Sengupta received the Noorul Quader Entrepreneur award in 2018 for establishing Turongomi.
Meanwhile, Turongomi is also taking part at the ongoing ‘Padma Bridge Inauguration Week’ programs at home by staging ‘Chiyanobboi -96’ at the Padma bridge celebration stage in Madaripur on Tuesday and at the Sohrawardy Uddyan on Wednesday.
So far, Turongomi has attended the 2014 Bangkok IF Festival, 2017 Vietnam International Dance Festival, The Delhi International Arts Festival DIAF 2017, The Philippine International Dance Xchange 2018-22, The Silk Road Expo: Dunhuang Conference China 2018 by Beijing Dance Academy, The 2018 St Petersburg State University conference on dance education in Russia, Pooja Sengupta’s speech at the grand general assembly of International Dance Council at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France (The first Bangladeshi Artist to deliver speech at the UNESCO), The SDG Resili-Art by UNESCO in Manila 2022.
Turongomi School of dance, a sister concern of Turongomi Repertory Dance Theatre became a member of the International Dance Council of UNESCO along with Pooja Sengupta herself, in 2019.
'A symbol of our self-reliance, courage, perseverance, ability and self-confidence'
Lauding the inauguration of the much-awaited Padma Bridge, several entertainers and celebrated media personalities shared their excitement and joy with the media reporters and on their social media handles.
Popular celebrities including Dhallywood superstar Shakib Khan, Jaya Ahsan, Omar Sani, Zayed Khan, Anjana Rahman, Chanchal Chowdhury and many other celebrities from the entertainment sphere expressed their heartfelt words, regarding the newly inaugurated Padma Bridge.
Shakib Khan took to his official Facebook page, to express his delight at the Padma Bridge's opening. “This is indeed a dream come true scenario as the Padma Bridge is now in sight. This bridge will revolutionize the capital's transportation and communication system and economy with the country's south-western region. The completion of the Padma Bridge is a significant accomplishment for Bangladesh. Our Padma bridge, our source of pride."
Jaya Ahsan, one of the most popular actresses in both Bangladesh and West Bengal, wrote a tribute article for Kolkata’s Anandabazar Patrika. In that piece, she wrote: “In the construction process of the bridge, there were many significant obstacles in almost every step. The first was the World Bank's withdrawal from the project. Our Prime Minister said, "We will build this bridge with our own money," which seemed like an impossible thought and she even acknowledged the possible obstacles.”
Read: Padma Bridge connecting Bangladesh’s past with bright future: German envoy
“There were all kinds of rumours and speculations as many did not believe that such a big project can be done with our own money, Sheikh Hasina went ahead almost alone with this unwavering confidence, and she turned the impossible into possible. The Padma Bridge is probably her greatest contribution to the people of Bengal, and this bridge will surely keep her memory alive,” Jaya Ahsan wrote.
Silver screen superstar Omar Sani wrote on his Facebook: “My ancestral home is in Barisal’s Gournadi Union and although I was born into Kaliganj, Jinjira in the Dhaka division, my father-in-law's house is in Satkhira, Khulna. Alhamdulillah, Padma Bridge, is indeed our pride. Our first achievement is our liberation and independence, and our second achievement is Padma Bridge.”
"This thrill is incomparable," stated popular music composer Prince Mahmud. “This cannot be put into words. This sentiment is not an immediate commotion. This resonance will be felt by those who have come from the other side of the Padma. Life has become easier and simpler, and I can now travel home anytime I wish."
Anjana Rahman, another popular actress representing the silver screen, said, “Our Padma Bridge, our pride. The hopes and aspirations of 170 million Bengali-speaking people are fulfilled today. Without the grace of the World Bank, we have funded on our own to build the Padma Bridge. Salute to you, Hon'ble Prime Minister Deshratna Sheikh Hasina - the embodiment of all the hopes and aspirations of the entire Bengali nation, the daughter of democracy.”
Acclaimed actor-singer Chanchal Chowdhury wrote, ”Today (yesterday) is the happiest day of Bangladesh, the day of pride. Long live Sheikh Hasina, for constructing the bridge of joy. "Padma Bridge," is our pride.”
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Popular rockstar, musician, activist, poet, Baul researcher and legendary band Feedback co-founder Maqsoodul Haque lauded the initiative from his Facebook page Mac Haque, writing:
“An unbelievable dream that millions had hoped for - a structure like none other in our history. Joy Bangla.”
The official theme song for the grand opening of Padma Bridge has been composed by renowned singer-music composer Kishore Das. Writing from his official page Kishore, he said: Just before the Padma Bridge's inauguration, the Prime Minister and dignitaries present are playing the song written by Kabir Bakul Bhai, to my tune, performed by legendary singers including Sabina Yasmin, Rafiqul Alam, Kumar Bishwajit, Rezwana Choudhury Bannya, Momotaz Begum, Dilshad Nahar Kona, Bappa Mazumder, Imran Mahmudul, Nishita Barua and myself. This is indeed an incredible experience for me.”
Besides, many other popular celebrities including Mehazabein Chowdhury, Afran Nisho, Tasnia Farin, Tawsif Mahbub, Zayed Khan and more have shared their excitement over the inauguration of the Padma Bridge.