Arts-&-Culture
‘Bangalir Porichoy Kabbo’: Ode to the Father of the Nation on ‘Taal Patar Puthi’
Commemorating the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, France-based Bengali playwright Choyon Khairul Habib and eminent Bangladeshi artist Afrozaa Jamil Konka have collaborated on creating a unique project titled “Bangalir Porichoy Kabbo”, an epic verse engraved on ‘Taal Patar Puthi’ (manuscript on palm leaves).
At the Nalini Kanta Bhattashali Gallery of National Museum, the ‘puthi’ will be unveiled and showcased to the general audience through an exclusive exhibition – set to be inaugurated on May 12 at 3 pm.
The concept of ‘puthi’ redirects to a book or manuscript which contains lyrical versions of spiritual text or mythical tales from Bengal. A ‘puthi’ could have pages made of bark, leather, wood, or even leaves. Before paper was introduced, these materials were commonly used.
However, with the advent of mass use of paper and development of printing, this unique literary element was lost and almost became extinct.
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Choyon Khairul Habib has written the verse titled “Bangalir Porichoy Kabbo” which evolved around Bangabandhu’s revolutionary life – focusing on his role in the 1952 Language Movement to leading the 1971 Liberation War. This was written in 2020 on the occasion of Bangabandhu’s birth centenary, while the writer was residing in France.
"In this epic poem-turned-puthi, I have highlighted the history of Bangladesh, the evolution of the Bengali community and the nationality alongside the symbolic narrative of Bangabandhu. I have been interested in Bengali puthi for a long time. From 2010 to 2019 when I wrote the operatic 'Julekha Trilogy', I read a lot of puthi. Since I started writing ‘Bangalir Porichoy Kabbo’, the incentive to preserve the work with palm leaf puthi was in my plan,” according to Choyon Khairul Habib.
Chhayanaut announces Pahela Baishakh 1430 festivity at Ramna Batamul
Chhayanaut, the country’s esteemed cultural institution known for its traditional flagship event on April 14 to welcome the Bengali new calendar year, is once again gearing up to welcome 1430 with the traditional Pahela Baishakh cultural festivity at Ramna Park in the capital.
This marks the second consecutive year that Pahela Baishakh will be observed during the holy month of Ramadan, and the festivity this year has been planned accordingly respecting the unity and essence of the holy month, the institution informed at a press conference on Monday at the Chhayanaut Shanskriti Bhavan in the capital’s Dhanmondi.
The press conference was joined by Chhayanaut Vice-Presidents Dr Atiur Rahman and Khairul Anam Shakil, General Secretary Laisa Ahmed Lisa, and its Joint Secretary Jayanta Roy.
At the press conference, it was informed that the senior and junior artists of the institution have been rehearsing for the last two months to welcome the new year in style with their combined and enthralling performances, under the Banyan tree at the Ramna Park.
The two-hour-long cultural event will comprise group and solo songs, and poetry recitations, starting at 6:15 am.
“In general, more than a hundred of our performers participate and showcase their musical performances every year at Chhayanaut's Pahela Baishakh live event at Ramna. The festivity was peacefully observed last year during the month of holy Ramadan, and this year we are hoping to continue the tradition as well,” Chhayanaut General Secretary Laisa Ahmed Lisa said at the press conference.
It was also informed that the stage installation and preparation are already completed, and the organisers expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Housing and Public Works for the allocation of basic permissions regarding the venue, as well as the security enforcement unit of the government and the volunteers of 13th Hussars Open Rover Scout Group for the cooperation.
Chhayanaut, founded in 1961, has earned global fame for organizing the traditional, extravagant cultural festivity of Pahela Baishakh at Ramna Park every year. The only exception was in 1971, during the Liberation War of Bangladesh, and then in 2020-2021 due to the global outbreak of COVID-19.
One of the most coveted and long-awaited festivities in Bangladesh, the traditional cultural presentation of Chhayanaut marking the Pahela Baishakh has earned its fame as one of the grandest regular cultural celebrations in the world.
Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar will telecast the program from the venue, live from 6:15 am on April 14. The event will also be broadcasted on Chhayanaut’s official YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@ChhayanautDigitalPlatform.
How to Choose Paint Colors for Your Entire House
Home is the place where souls find peace and satisfaction. Different rooms of a house have different purposes. While interior designing or renovating a home, preserving the distinct architectural character of rooms and spaces should not be ignored. Wall paint can be a means to make the home more homely, cozy, functional, and unique.
Significance of choosing the right paint color for different rooms
While planning the interior design of a specific room, proper color selection has great significance. Color can help create illusions. The perfect wall paint can make a small room look bigger and a large room more intimate.
Color also contributes to light reflection in a room. Light shades can make a room look brighter that has less access to natural sunlight; while darker shades can help avoid glare in a very sunny space.
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The wall colors of interior rooms not only enhance the aesthetics of a house but also represents the taste of the homeowner. Not everybody's choice is similar. Adults and senior persons usually like mild wall colors while children and teenagers may love their walls to be painted in bright colors.
As each color has unique meanings and significance, wall paint can also impact the mood. Therefore, the homeowner can choose different wall paint colors for different rooms.
Useful Tips for Interior Paint Color Selection
Defining the right wall paint color can be confusing. To make a decision about color paints, all it needs is a little confidence and some guidelines from interior designers and color experts. Here are some effective tips to select wall paint colors for a room.
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Find Inspiration
When choosing the wall paint color for a specific room or space of the home, it needs to be assured that the resident won't get tired of that color. At the time of selecting wall colors, the occupant can search for the versions of his or her favorite colors that are muted with grey. Several colors can be blended to get the desired hue.
The occupant can take color inspiration from the places and spaces he or she loves and visits frequently. It can be nature-inspired or a mix of shades, etc. Thus, the occupant will be able to match that feeling and find happiness in his or her own room.
Know the Meaning of Colors
Different colors can denote different emotions. Before picking a specific color or mixing several shades of colors for wall paint, one must understand the power of the colors. The color of the bedroom walls can be different from that of the living room or study room.
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First-ever Community Digital Storytelling Festival invites aspiring storytellers
Chorusing its slogan “real stories by real people," the maiden edition of the Community Digital Storytelling Festival (CDSTF) is inviting the aspirant potential storytellers across the country, to promote and celebrate the art of storytelling through the use of portable electronic devices.
Set to be a flagship event by the Department of Journalism, Media and Communication (JMC) of Daffodil International University (DIU), the maiden edition of the festival will take place on February 10-11, next year.
Aspiring storytellers can submit different genres of stories in this festival, including journalistic stories, non-fiction and documentaries. Participants can send their stories and take part in the festival free of charge, according to the organisers.
Through Digital Storytelling Festival, interested storytellers who are backward in the society or deprived of modern facilities and do not get opportunities to publish their stories in the mainstream media, will get an opportunity to showcase their short stories. The festival is aiming to encourage the youth to create digital stories through modern technology, especially smartphones.
Storytellers can submit their stories under four different categories: independent category, DIU best community digital story category, one-minute category and journalism category. Selected stories will be screened at the festival, and the best stories will be awarded.
Regarding the festival, DIU Department of Journalism, Media and Communication head Aftab Hossain said: “The major goal of this festival is to gain our netizen’s attention and present the stories of people from all backgrounds so that we can collectively contribute to the creation of a great society.”
Dr Abdul Kabil Khan, JMC Associate Professor and the chief adviser of the festival, said: “In Bangladesh, the idea of ‘Community Digital Storytelling’ is relatively new. Brief visual stories containing tales relating to the lives of individuals from many walks of life in our communities can be made via the use of digital technology, and we hope to provide a platform for the stories of underexplored storytellers through the festival.”
"For the maiden edition, we have selected 'Environmental Issues' and 'Sustainable Development' as our themes. We will feature more themes like these in our future editions as well," Dr Khan told UNB.
Registration process for the festival is set to be launched soon, and details regarding the festival are available on the Facebook page of the festival, https://www.facebook.com/CDSTF2023/.
What Different Colors of Roses Mean: A Deeper Look
“A red rose is not selfish because it wants to be a red rose. It would be horribly selfish if it wanted all the other flowers in the garden to be both red and roses, ” according to Oscar Wilde.
Rose shares a unique meaning and purpose. Red roses are often associated with love, and romance; while white roses are symbols of friendship. From red to coral, each hue conveys a different message, making roses an incredibly versatile flower. Let’s explore the meaning of different colors of roses to choose the right rose for the true expressions of the heart.
What Are the Different Meanings of Different Color Roses?
Red Roses
The red rose is perhaps the most iconic among all roses, and for a good reason. It is a symbol of passion. Gifting red roses can be a nice way to express love, romance, affection, desire, appreciation, or sincere respect for someone when words are not enough. It is always a classic choice to convey love on occasions such as proposals, weddings, a partner's birthday, marriage anniversary, Valentine's Day, or any special moment with a partner.
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White Roses
White rose is often associated with purity, innocence, and calmness. It is a popular choice for weddings and is sometimes called bridal roses because of their associations with new love and enduring loyalty. White roses can also mean a fresh start and unending love. A bouquet of white roses is the ideal way to express your appreciation and gratitude for someone or to mark a new beginning. They are a respectful and appropriate choice for any occasion.
Pink Roses
The pink rose is a traditional symbol of elegance and grace. It is often given as a sign of admiration and gratitude, conveying the message through its gentle beauty. Depending on the shade of pink, a rose can represent different things. A light or pale pink rose can stand for grace, joy, and happiness, while a darker or hot pink rose represents thanks and appreciation. Pink roses are among the most popular flowers in the world, and they go with just about anything. Gifting a pink rose can be a lovely way to express feelings.
Lavender Roses
Lavender roses have a long history of symbolizing enchantment and love at first sight. Their gentle, muted hue conjures up beauty and a sense of regal majesty. While a more vibrant shade of purple might be used to represent royalty, lavender roses are a subtle way to express feelings of affection and love. They are a great choice for a bouquet that will leave a lasting impression on the recipient.
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Black Roses
Symbolically, the black rose is often associated with death, mourning, and the darker side of life. It can also represent mystery, rebellion, and the unknown. In some cultures, black roses are considered a bad omen or a symbol of evil, while in others, they are a symbol of rebirth or a new beginning.
Black roses have been used in various forms of art, literature, and popular culture. They have been featured in Gothic and horror-themed works, as well as in romance and fantasy genres. In some cultures, black roses are also used in funeral arrangements and other forms of mourning.
Curtain rises on Bangladesh Fashion Week 2023
With the theme "Wear clothes that tell a real story of people and the planet," the Fashion Design Council of Bangladesh's (FDCB) flagship venture the Bangladesh Fashion Week 2023 began at Aloki Convention Center in the capital's Tejgaon Thursday night.
Known as the most prestigious fashion event in the country, Fashion Week has brought collections of 18 members of the FDCB and interesting creations of six designers from India.
The exhibition brings together fashion designers, retailers and luxury stakeholders in one place, putting the spotlight on sustainable and long-lasting fashion.
This year, the two-day fashion week is being organised by Buy Hair Now, MTB, Strix, Maya, Ujjwala Care, and Natura Care.
The event started with a tribute to the late designer and fashion pioneer Emdad Haque, who died on December 23 last year. Emdad was the vice-president of the FDCB.
French honour for Nadia Samdani: Receives Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters medal
Nadia Samdani MBE, co-founder of Samdani Art Foundation and Dhaka Art Summit, has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Ordre des Arts et des Lettres’ (Order of Arts and Letters) by the French Ministry of Culture.
The ‘Chevalier’ (Knight) rank was conferred on her through the order yesterday, at the residence of the French ambassador in Dhaka’s Gulshan. The award is given to distinguished individuals for their creativity demonstrated in the cultural sphere or for their support and contribution to the dissemination of knowledge and work that enrich cultural heritage.
The medal was handed over to Nadia Samdani by French Ambassador Marie Masdupuy on behalf of the French government, according to a press release.
Nadia Samdani was bestowed with the Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) title by Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 – in recognition of her contribution to art and culture in Bangladesh, South Asia and the UK. Her investiture ceremony for MBE was held at the Buckingham Palace on February 23 this year, where she received her title from Prince William of Wales. Along with her husband Rajeeb Samdani, co-founder and trustee of Samdani Art Foundation, she is the first South Asian arts patron to receive the prestigious Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award in 2017.
Nature's appeal defies poverty, challenges through art
A child's curiosity about everything in this universe, no matter how big or small it is, with an unprejudiced mind makes a great artist that even Picasso tried to emulate. The same aptitude manifested when ethnic children from a remote place in Netrokona were handed a set of crayons.
From a woman, sitting in an elegant posture and clad in a fantastic saree refreshingly dotted with leaves and flowers, to the deities they worship, they sketched their thoughtful ponderings and aspirations that are displayed at the capital's EMK Center, a faraway place from them they could not believe their art could be showcased at.
The untapped potential of the children was spotted by Sultana Razia, the founder of Lightshore Foundation, on her visit to Netrokona's Baromari- Laxmipur village for various social welfare projects where she observed the lives of Garo and Hazong communities.
Hit hard by the scourge of poverty, parents of children can barely afford to manage education for them. Still, the aspiration for helping them flourish through creativity and education.
One particular talent unmistakably marked among the kids was their natural ability to sketch. Approached by Razia for training them in art, their parents readily agreed and sent them to a two-day art camp mentored by artist Morshed Mishu. And the result was awe-inspiring. Razia through her foundation and other organizations featured an exhibition of their artworks, titled 'A Song of Nature’s Children'.
Exhibition, musical concert held in Dhaka to celebrate 'Boat project'
An exhibition, a video performance and a musical concert were organized to celebrate the 'Boat project' on Sunday evening at Shyambazar Kheyaghat, Puran Dhaka.
This exhibition was the result of a workshop titled 'Learning from Puran Dhaka: The Urbanity of Occupations along the Buriganga Riverfront', in which 50 students and faculty from Dhaka, Mumbai, Trivandrum, and Paris participated.
A photo exhibition by students of Pathshala South Asian Media Institute was on display at Shyambazar Kheyaghat.
The exhibition was organized by the participating students of the workshop at different places at Puran Dhaka where the students were divided into 8 different groups to map life along the river, investigate endangered heritage and the micro economy.
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An entertainment event by Joler Gaan was held along the ghat (docks). The performance was organized on a traditional boat to commemorate Puran Dhaka’s intangible heritage.
Video Performance by Ramona Poenaru and Gaël Chaillat of Compagnie Des Châteaux en l’air portrayed the customs and the daily life activities of the people along the ghat at Ruplal house through the projection.
The 'Boat' project is curated by Ashfika Rahman
"River Heritage: Learning from Puran Dhaka" is a long-running heritage initiative currently in its third chapter. It is led by Alliance Française, Goethe-Institut, British Council, the Spanish Embassy and the EU Delegation in Bangladesh, with support from the Embassy of the Netherlands.
BRAC Hope Festival starts Thursday to celebrate 'tenacity, bravery of the people of Bangladesh'
The three-day BRAC Hope Festival will start Thursday at the Bangladesh Army Stadium in Dhaka.
The open-for-all event will cover three thematic areas – "A Tribute to Bangladesh," "Power of Potential," and "Building a World We Want," each day to highlight one theme.
The festival will open every day at 11am and end at 9.30pm. Everyone can join the festival through pre-registration.
Presenting a curated treasure of culture, the festival will feature a full array of daylong events and performances – puthi paath, story-telling, bioscope, puppet show, the world of play for children, exhibitions, and many others.
Every day the festivities will be topped off with cultural performances in the evening by some of the biggest names from the cultural sphere of Bangladesh. Fun workshops with artisans, cartoonists, artists, architects, robotics experts and urban greenscapers are part of the festival.
Two awards will also be presented at the Hope Festival to inspire the youths of Bangladesh.
Amra Notun Young Changemakers Award will be conferred on five grass-root level young changemakers in recognition of taking ownership of solving social challenges. TAAGA Outstanding Young Professionals Award will be given out to women for their contributions to the workplace.
Tomorrow cultural festivities of the day will begin with renowned actor Fazlur Rahman Babu and his group's puthi path.
Bengal Parampara Sangeetalaya will take the stage, presenting the Raga classical music. Later on, a documentary will pay tribute to the role of women in the War of Liberation in 1971. Theatre group Prachyanat will stage "Protidiner Joddha," based on the life of Afsana Akter, who overcame all her family and social hurdles to become a successful gynaecologist.
Events of the day will conclude with performances by Arnob and Friends and Lalon Band.
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