Arts-&-Culture
Two-day art camp on PM Hasina begins at BSA
To mark the 75th birthday of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a special two-day art camp was inaugurated at the National Art Gallery plaza of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) Wednesday.
Seventy-five renowned female painters and artists of the country have joined the art camp titled "Sheikh Hasina: Bishwajoyi Nondito Neta.''
Portraying the eventful and historic life of Sheikh Hasina, eminent artists and art scholars – including Kanak Chanpa Chakma, Farida Zaman, Rokeya Sultana, Naima Haque, Ivy Zaman, Farzana Ahmed Shanta, and Syed Mahbuba Karim Mini – are participating in the camp.
READ: Weeklong exhibition on Rohingya memories to begin Sunday
Ghartera exhibition 'In the Terrains of Fear' defies traditional approaches
Challenging the traditional regularities to express, explore and navigate creative thoughts through the nature of fear, a unique exhibition titled "In the Terrains of Fear" is now being held in the capital.
"Ghartera" – a transmuting art space and collaborating groups of artists with the motif to create alternatives to the established, mainstream narratives, and ideas – is hosting the event.
Inaugurated Friday, the exhibition will run till September 23 from 3pm to 9pm.
With the theme of "fear," 12 different art projects by artists, writers, activists, researchers, collectives, and curators from diverse backgrounds are being showcased at the exhibition, including Biglipseclipse (Yashab Osama Rahman), Razib Datta, Taiara Farhana Tareque, Junaid Iqbal Ishmam, Shehzad Chowdhury, AAA Battery, Project Pudina, Orchid Chakma, Kawsar Mia, Shamset Tabrejee, Oishik Jawad, and Khyapa collective.
Curated by Kazi Tahsin Agaz Apurbo, Ata Mojlish, Aananda Antahleen, and Doito Bonotulshi, the exhibition is a collaboration between Ghartera and the Goethe Pop Up Festival and supported by the Goethe Institut Bangladesh.
Read: Weeklong Rohingya artworks exhibition begins in city
Goethe-Institut & Lagvelki to virtually screen award-winning German short films
German cultural institution Goethe-Institut Bangladesh, in association with the country’s first online pay-per-view movie streaming platform Lagvelki, is going to organize an online short film screening session titled “Short.film.tour- The German short film award” (‘Kurz.film.tour- Der Deutsche Kurzfilmpreis‘) on Thursday from 5 pm to 11 pm.
For this exclusive session, five short films were shortlisted for screening out of thirteen selections that the “Kutz.Film.Tour 2021” package offers, Goethe-Institut Bangladesh said in a press release.
The nominated films are “Meeting” (directed by Jannis Alexander Kiefer), “Pannónia Dicsérete - Land of Glory” (directed by Borbála Nagy), “In Den Binsen - Rushes” (directed by Clara Zoë My-Linh von Arnim), Favoriten – Favourites (directed by Martin Monk) and Just A Guy, directed by Shoko Hara.
During the 6 hours long screening session, viewers will get free access to watch the mentioned films through the Facebook page of Goethe-Institut Bangladesh, at https://m.facebook.com/goetheinstitut.bangladesh/.
Viewers will also get an opportunity to join in a Live Q&A Talk starting at 8 p.m. with two film directors, Borbala Nagy (Dir. Land of Glory) and Martin Monk (Dir. Favorites). Screenwriter and Director Mahde Hasan will moderate the session.
The German Short Film Award is the most important award to short films in Germany, endowed with the highest amount of money since 1956 to outstanding short film productions.
Since 1998, the nominees and award winners have been touring German cinemas every year.
Stop moral policing and injustice against artists: cultural activists
DhakaSeeking solidarity and unity against various forms of injustice and moral policing that continues to stifle artistic expression across the country, a number of cultural organizations and personalities gathered Tuesday in front of the Bangladesh National Museum in the capital.
‘Shilpir Pashe’, a unified body speaking against oppression faced by artists, arranged the solidarity event where they urged that the targeted media campaign against artists be put to a halt.
The event was joined by a large group of noted cultural activists who echoed the unity against oppressions through a protest rally, songs and dance recitals, poem recitations, live paintings and street plays.
Eminent thespian Mamunur Rashid, Secretary General of Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation Kamal Bayezid and Ganajagaran Mancha activist Akramul Haque spoke at the event, voicing their concerns while Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee President Shahriar Kabir, human rights activist and Nijera Kori coordinator Khushi Kabir virtually joined and spoke, expressing their solidarity with the protest.
“Throughout history, we have seen how the cultural activists have played vital roles in every political and social revolution - however, they rarely received their deserved recognition for their contributions to society. Many of our folk singers and artists representing other sectors have been bullied, imprisoned and tortured, which is unacceptable and I sincerely implore everyone to stand with these artists against these oppressions," Mamunur Rashid said at the event.
19th Asian Art Biennale postponed again, this time till February 2022
The 19th edition of the month-long Asian Art Biennale has been postponed once again due to the ongoing global pandemic.
Known as one of the grandest art extravaganzas in the world, the 19th edition will now be welcoming the art enthusiasts from home and beyond at the National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) from February 01, 2022, till March 31, 2022.
The curtain for the 19th biennale was scheduled to be lifted on November 01 and the time for the exhibition was extended till December 31st, this year.
Previously, the festival was shifted on March 01, 2021, from the initial timeline, December 01 to 31, 2020. The international festival was then rescheduled last year due to the increasing havoc of Covid-19.
According to the BSA authority, this special edition of the biennale exhibition will be dedicated to the Birth Centenary of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of the independence of Bangladesh.
The 18th Asian Art Biennale hosted artists from 68 countries and the 19th edition is expecting to welcome artists from 100 countries to join this special art extravaganza. The two-month-long exhibition will display two and three-dimensional artworks such as painting, prints, photography, sculpture, installation, new media art etc.
Read: 19th Asian Art Biennale to begin March 1, 2021
A two-day seminar has been rescheduled to be organized on February 2nd and 3rd, 2022 at the auditorium of the National Art Gallery. The topic of the seminar is "Home and Displacement".
“We are eyeing for a regular event like the previous years; however, we will also be closely monitoring the ongoing global pandemic of COVID-19 situation and act accordingly," BSA Public Relation Officer Hasan Mahmud previously informed UNB.
Artists and art curators across the world are invited to submit their artworks before October 15, 2021. Interested participating artists aged above 22 years and who have participated in at least two national-level exhibitions (for Bangladeshi participants) are welcome for registration in the 19th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh, according to BSA.
Participating artists may apply through email with soft copies of participation documents or directly with hard copies of relevant documents through courier or in-person to the organizers’ office at BSA.
Since 1981, 18th editions of this international art exhibition have successfully been organized, cementing its legacy as the longest-running international art biennale event in Asia. From the 17th edition in 2016, countries from the Europe and America regions are participating continuously at the Asian Art Biennale.
Details of the exhibition are available on the official Facebook pages of BSA and Asian Art Biennale, and the official website at https://www.asianartbiennale.org.bd/.
Kanak Chanpa joining Cosmos Art Echo live event at 7 pm
The 6th edition of Cosmos Art Echo, an art talk event of Cosmos Atelier71, is set to be held on Thursday evening.
Eminent Artist Kanak Chanpa Chakma will join the live event with the topic ‘Journey Through Roots' at 7 pm.
Born and raised in the beautiful hill tracts of Rangamati, Kanak Chanpa Chakma is a visual artist based in Dhaka.
She mainly works with acrylic, oil and charcoal on canvas, portraying the struggling lives of the indigenous community of Bangladesh and the endless sufferings of women.
Kanak Chanpa has received numerous national and international awards for her works, including Best Woman Artist of the XXI Century, Florida, USA (2001), Best Painting National Award, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (2002) and Olympic Fine Arts Gold Medal, Beijing, China (2008).
She has devoted much of her life rescuing animals, and is engaged in organisations focused on animal welfare, women and deprived communities in Bangladesh.
Alif Alauddin releases tribute song commemorating father Alauddin Ali on first death anniversary
Monday marks the first death anniversary of legendary music director Alauddin Ali, and commemorating the day, his daughter Alif Alauddin, also a popular singer, anchor and songwriter, has released a remastered version of a song on Monday which her father made years ago.The song, titled "Tumi Chole Gecho", was written and composed by Alauddin Ali and originally sung by his wife and Alif’s mother Salma Sultana on BTV in 1983. However, it had never been recorded or released on any album.Alif Alauddin posted the remastered tribute edition from her Facebook page and profile on Monday. The tribute version of the song is remastered by Alif Alauddin’s husband and renowned guitarist Kazi Faisal Ahmed.
Also read: Music arena mourns death of legendary Alauddin AliSharing her emotional description regarding the song, Alif wrote, "My mother Salma Sultana performed this song titled ‘Tumi Chole Gecho’ on Bangladesh Television in 1983, written and composed by my father Alauddin Ali. During my childhood, I used to hear my mother sing this track on harmonium, and I had requested her to teach me this song, and eventually learned the song from her."
Grapes are Sour: Portraying the difficult experiences of women in our society
From Munni to Sheila, the item songs of Bollywood have been subjected to heated conversation in the country over the years.
These songs were criticised through write-ups , satires or parodies, and are generally derided as using the allure of the names mentioned to make up for what they lack in artistic quality.
Read: BLCPS, the apt answer to copyright issues in Bangladeshi music
But is the music industry of our country free from lyrics which are extremely demeaning towards certain groups, especially women ?
There is a very popular song on the Bengali New Year which contains the line ‘Bokhate cheleder bhire lolona der rehai nai' (literally meaning the beautiful women will not be spared by the crowd of eve teasers or probably even worse, who can tell?).
The writer of that song has contended the intent was to highlight the reality of what happens at the Bengali New Year celebrations in public fairs.
Remembering Tagore, the polymath!
The 80th death anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, the first non-European and Bengali poet to win the Nobel Prize in literature, is being observed on Friday.
According to the Gregorian calendar, Tagore died at the age of 80 on August 7 in 1941, but his death anniversary is traditionally observed on 22nd Srabon according to the Bengali calendar.
Since his death, the day has always been observed with extensive programmes in a befitting manner as a tradition in both Bangladesh and India. However, because of the ongoing pandemic and the consequent shutdown, the day is being commemorated with online events this year.
Several cultural organisations and government-non government institutions are paying their respective tributes with virtual events, featuring several noted artists, Tagore enthusiasts and scholars.
Also read: Remembering Tagore, the polymath who reshaped Bengali literature & music
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) began the day by streaming live on its Facebook page a virtual programme at 10 am. The event, titled 'Apon Majhe Shokti Dhoro, Nijeke Koro Joy', features discussions and cultural performances. Several cultural personalities, including Syed Hasan Imam and Rezwana Choudhury Bannya, have been roped in by BSA.
Bangla Academy will also pay its tribute with an online programme, to be streamed live on its Facebook page at 4 pm. KM Khalid, State Minister for Cultural Affairs, will join the event as the chief guest while eminent novelist Selina Hossain will present the keynote speech.
Newly elected Director General of Bangla Academy, Mohammad Nurul Huda will deliver the welcome speech and the event will be presided over by National Professor Dr Rafiqul Islam.
Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi will stream a Facebook live programme at 7.30 pm. The online event will feature songs, dance, recitation, and discussions, and it will be joined by Professor Syed Manzoorul Islam, Azizul Huq, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi General Secretary Jamshed Anwar Tapan, and Assistant General Secretary Iqbalul Haque Khan, besides others.
Also read: Japanese documentary ‘’Tagore Songs’’ screened virtually
Bangladesh Sangeet Sangathan Samannay Parishad will stream an online event on Saturday at 8 pm. The event will feature Tagore songs and discussions featuring singer Roquaiya Hasina, Khairuzzaman Kaiyum, and Soma Rani Ray will entertain viewers rendering Tagore songs.
The country's leading cultural institution, Chhayanaut will broadcast an online programme, titled 'Shraboner Amontrone' on its Facebook page and YouTube channel at 9 pm. The event will feature recorded videos of Tagore songs, rendered by prominent Rabindra Sangeet exponents.
Besides, different TV channels, radio stations, and other online platforms will telecast special programmes marking the death anniversary of Tagore.
The youngest of the 13 surviving children of Debendranath Tagore and Sarada Devi, Rabindranath Tagore was born on 25th Baishakh, 1268, in Bengali calendar (May 7, 1861, according to the Gregorian calendar) in Jorasanko mansion of Calcutta, then in British India.
Also referred to as the "Bard of Bengal", Tagore composed over 2,000 songs which created a separate genre known as ‘Tagore songs’ in both the Bengals. Besides, he penned a total of eight novels, 84 short stories, and an uncountable number of poems in his prolific literary career spanning almost seven decades.
He envisioned and founded the Visva Bharati University at Santiniketan in 1921 in order to spread the practice of culture and literature in the broader sphere and create future artists and literateurs for ages.
For his anthology of lyrical ballads ‘Gitanjali’ (Song Offerings), Tagore received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 as the first Bengali and Non-European poet.
Bangladesh's national anthem 'Amar Shonar Bangla' and India's 'Jana Gana Mana' were written by him.
Country remembers the ‘Concert for Bangladesh' on its golden jubilee
Sunday, 1st of August marked the 50th anniversary of the historic ‘Concert for Bangladesh’, the charity concert organized for the aid of Bangladesh during the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh by world-famous Indian sitar maestro Pandit Sri Ravi Shankar, and English singer, songwriter, and lead guitarist of The Beatles, George Harrison at the historic Madison Square Garden, New York.
Initiated with a mission to draw international attention to the war genocide and fund relief for refugees from then East Pakistan, the pair of concerts was organized on August 1st, 1971 featuring legendary names in world music including Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, Leon Russell and more.
Read:Joy Bangla Concert: Rock stars share best memories
The Concert for Bangladesh is acknowledged as the first such charity concert for a humanitarian cause, that paved the way for many later events such as BandAid, LiveAid and Live8.
Although the ongoing global pandemic of Covid-19 prevented any massive-scale celebration in the country, the historic day has been observed with deep respect and a couple of significant arrangements as tributes to the historic charity concert that addressed Bangladesh to many of the music lovers around the world.
Honouring the legacy of the historic concert, London-based UBIK Productions and Samdani Art Foundation (Dhaka) organized a unique online concert titled ‘Concert from Bangladesh’ on Sunday, supported by the British Council Digital Collaboration Fund.
The mixed reality concert, streamed live at the Pioneer Works' online platform on Sunday at 6 pm (Bangladesh time) enthralled audiences through an exclusive audio-visual journey divided into an expansive three-act, featuring renowned Baul singer Arif Baul accompanied by instrumental artists Nazrul Islam, Saidur Rahman, and Sohel; an exclusive piece on the second act composed by Enayet Kabir and Nishit Dey, exploring the shared musical language between Nazrul Sangeet, classical raga, and 90s music utilizing the cutting edge electronic production and arrangements by Enayet Kabir, Provhat Rahman and Adittya Arzu, also known as Siaminium, with classical raga and Nazrul Sangeet by Meerashri Arshee and Moumita Haque, Bansuri flute by Jawaad Mustakim Al Muballig and Nishit Dey on sitar - and the concluding act by the popular Bangladeshi hip hop duo, the 12-year-old 'Gully Boy' Rana alongside Tabib Mahmud.
Read:Bands pay tribute to Joy Bangla Concert
Acclaimed British-South Asian artist Shezad Dawood crafted the virtual reality stage for the concert with having the historical-intellectual hub Beauty Boarding, the riverbanks of Gorai River in Kushtia and Somapura Mahavihara in Paharpur, Naoga on the background. The concert was co-curated by Diana Campbell, Artistic Director of the SAF, alongside music producer and artist Enayet Kabir, assistant curators Ruxmini Choudhury and Shoummo Saha.
Inspired by the virtuous concept of the charity Concert for Bangladesh, all proceeds from this unique concert will be distributed between the performing musicians and Bangladeshi charity organisation, Friendship, which offers healthcare for climate change refugees and promotes women's rights in Bangladesh.
Earlier, Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar on Sunday unveiled a commemorative stamp worth Tk 10 and an opening envelope worth Tk 10 from his office in Dhaka, alongside a data card worth Tk 5, honouring the historic concert.
Read:‘Music Against Hunger’: The charity concert for an era of pandemic
Meanwhile, State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak unveiled a special commemorative book titled 'The Country That Lived - Fifty Years of Freedom and the Concert for Bangladesh' on Saturday.
The ‘Concert for Bangladesh’, joined by 40,000 live audiences at the Madison Square Garden in New York City is considered the trailblazing event that revolutionized many all-star charity events that have followed ever since.