Lifestyle
French Ambassador Marie Masdupuy visits Cosmos Atelier 71
Newly appointed Ambassador of France to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy made a special visit to Cosmos Atelier 71 and Gallery Cosmos, the reputed printmaking studio and artistic space of Cosmos Foundation, on Thursday.
She explored the ongoing exclusive intaglio process softground and stencil workshop by internationally acclaimed artist and art teacher, Professor Rokeya Sultana, titled “Impression of Rokeya's” at the Cosmos Centre.
Read more: Printmaking workshop ‘Impression of Rokeya's’ underway at Cosmos Atelier 71
Tehmina Enayet, Director of Cosmos Atelier 71 and Gallery Cosmos, and Rokeya Sultana greeted Ambassador Masdupuy and exchanged their artistic visions, while Gallery Cosmos Artistic Director Sourav Chowdhury guided the studio and gallery tour while sharing the artistic initiatives and ongoing workshop to the ambassador.
"We are overwhelmed to have the honorable French Ambassador Marie Masdupuy among us, here in our Cosmos Atelier 71 and Gallery Cosmos. France is the pioneering nation in the world of arts and also has been one of our great diplomatic allies, and the ambassador’s maiden visit in our art space will continue strengthening the remarkable bond and friendship between the two nations," Tehmina Enayet told UNB.
Professor Rokeya Sultana said, "It is our great honor that Ambassador Masdupuy visited this exclusive printmaking workshop, and I along with all of our participating artists are enthralled with her presence and enthusiasm regarding our works."
Read more: Impression of Rokeya's: Intaglio process workshop at Cosmos Atelier71 from Monday
Inaugurated on January 23, the workshop is featuring young and prominent artists from home and beyond – Asmita Alam Shammy, Roosevelt Benjamin, Chhobi Zulfiqar, Rifat Jahan Kanta, Farzana Rahman Bobby, Mohammad Rezwanur Rahman, Bacchu Miah Arif, Kamruzzoha, SM Ehsan and Indian artist Sukla Poddar.
The workshop also features four guest artists – renowned painter Afrozaa Jamil Konka, eminent photojournalist-artist Nasir Ali Mamun, veteran artist and freedom fighter Biren Shome and journalist-artist Zahangir Alom – alongside participating guest artists Sam Jamil Julian, Rumessa Mailloux and Sourav Chowdhury.
Printmaking workshop ‘Impression of Rokeya's’ underway at Cosmos Atelier 71
Showcasing the captivating techniques and storytelling behind the art of printmaking, an exclusive printmaking workshop titled “Impression of Rokeya's” by eminent art maestro Professor Rokeya Sultana is currently underway at Cosmos Atelier 71 in Dhaka’s Malibagh.
Inaugurated on Monday, January 23, on the birthday of the renowned artist and art educator, the workshop is featuring young and prominent Bangladeshi artists Asmita Alam Shammy, Roosevelt Benjamin, Chhobi Zulfiqar, Rifat Jahan Kanta, Farzana Rahman Bobby, Mohammad Rezwanur Rahman, Bacchu Miah Arif, Kamruzzoha, SM Ehsan and Indian artist Sukla Poddar.
The exclusive intaglio process-softground and stencil workshop by Professor Rokeya Sultana is also featuring four guest artists - renowned painter Afrozaa Jamil Konka, eminent photojournalist-artist Nasir Ali Mamun, veteran artist and freedom fighter Biren Shome and journalist-artist Zahangir Alom, alongside participating guest artists Sam Jamil Julian, Rumessa Mailloux and Sourav Chowdhury.
Read more: Impression of Rokeya's: Intaglio process workshop at Cosmos Atelier71 from Monday
Easy Chicken, Beef and Mutton Nihari Recipes Everyone Will Love
Nihari or Paya Soup is one of the best-admired soups in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India. This dish can be prepared from chicken, cow, or goat legs. The taste of Nihari is divine, healthy, nutritious, and yummy. The meat, marrow, and fat from the legs melt in your mouth and you can enjoy it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with paratha or roti. Check here for mouth-watering chicken, beef, and mutton Paya soup or Nihari recipes to enjoy any time.
Food value of Nihari or Paya Soup
Nihari or Paya soup is rich in Protein, fat, carbs, calcium, phosphorous, Vitamin A, Folate (vitamin B9), etc.Paya soup or Nihari is extremely beneficial for gut health as it has Proline, glutamine, and arginine amino acids. It boosts immunity in humans and animals.
Moreover, Nihari or Paya soup is known as bone broth which promotes and maintains a good mood, uplifts energy levels, and helps to create a healthy sleep cycle. Besides, Paya soup helps to relieve joint pain, promotes healthy skin & weight loss, and helps in detoxification.
Read More: Mouth-watering Chotpoti, Fuchka, Tamarind Chatney Recipes for Home Kitchens
Simple Nihari Recipes with Chicken, Beef, or Mutton
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Chicken Paya Recipe
Ingredients
Chicken legs: 6-8 pcs, ginger garlic paste: 2 tbsp, onions: 250 gms (chopped), water for boiling: 6-7 cups, coriander powder: 1 tsp, red chili powder: 3-4 tsp, turmeric powder: 1/2 tsp, salt (as required), brown onions: 1/2 cup (crushed), Garam masala powder: 1/2 tsp, oil: 1/2 cup
Impression of Rokeya's: Intaglio process workshop at Cosmos Atelier71 from Monday
Cosmos Atelier71, the reputed printmaking studio of Cosmos Foundation, is set to host a 4-day exclusive Intaglio process Softground and Stencil Workshop by internationally acclaimed art maestro Professor Rokeya Sultana on Monday titled Impression of Rokeya's at the Cosmos Centre in the capital.
The workshop will continue from January 23-26 at the Cosmos Atelier71.
Supported by Gallery Cosmos, the artistic wing of the Cosmos Foundation, the workshop will feature eminent Bangladeshi artists - Shahabuddin Ahmed, Monirul Islam, Biren Shome, Nasir Ali Mamun and Anisuzzaman Anis, alongside 10 participating artists from home and beyond - Asmita Alam Shammi, Roosevelt Benjamin, Chhobi Zulfiqar, Rifat Jahan Kanta, Farzana Rahman Bobby, Mohammad Rezwanur Rahman, Bacchu Miah Arif, Kamruzzoha, Sukla Poddar and SM Ehsan.
The artists will work on the Intaglio Process, Soft ground and Stencil media in this exclusive printmaking workshop.
Read: Episodes of her Gaze: Maksuda Iqbal Nipa's resplendent art collective launched at DLF
“Every artist is going to finish two printmaking artworks during the workshop; later on, we are going to display these artworks for a daylong exhibition and sale in the Baridhara Garden Gallery on January 28,” Cosmos Atelier71 and Gallery Cosmos Executive Director Sourav Chowdhury told UNB. Currently a Professor of Printmaking at the Dhaka University Faculty of Fine Art, Rokeya Sultana was born in Chittagong in 1958. After graduating from the Bangladesh College of Arts and Crafts in 1980, she received a master’s degree in printmaking from Visva Bharati, Santiniketan, in 1983.
She has exhibited in Poland, Germany, Morocco, Oman (Bait Al Zubair Museum), France, Iran, Egypt, Turkey, Taiwan, Nepal, Korea, Jordan, Denmark, Pakistan, India, USA—Denver, Wyoming, NY (Art Student League)—and Japan, among other countries.
Sultana is the recipient of numerous national and international scholarships and awards, including a prestigious Fullbright grant, which supported her nine-month artist’s residency at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She is an influential figure in Dhaka, Santiniketan and Sydney art scenes.
Read: Festivals like Pitha Utsab needs to be spread all over Bangladesh: KM Khalid
Notable among the artist’s awards are the Purchase Award, Somerstown Gallery, 4th Biennial, NY, USA (1992), Grand Prize in the 3rd Bharat Bhavan Print Biennale (1995), Bengal Foundation Award in the 14th National Art Exhibition (1999), Honourable Mention in the 9th Asian Art Biennale (1999), Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Award in the National Art Exhibition (2002). In 2003, Sultana availed a French government scholarship at L’Atelier Le Couriere et Frelaut in Paris, and in 2017 she became an Artist in Residence at Open Print Studio, Toronto Canada.
Her works are in the collections of the Bangladesh National Museum; Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy; President’s House, Bangladesh; Bengal Foundation, Dhaka; 1971 Genocide Torture Archives & Museum, Khulna, Bangladesh; National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts; Bangladesh Aga Khan Development Network; Blacktown Art Center, Sydney; University of Nebraska; Archives of SGC International at Zuckerman Museum of Art, Georgia; Academy of Art University, San Francisco; The Museum of International Contemporary Graphic, Fredrikstad, Norway; Universal Graphic Museum, Cairo; Jorasanko Thakur Bari, Kolkata; Young One Collection, Korea; among others.
Iran's ‘Bi-Madar’ wins top award at 21st Dhaka Int’l Film Festival
The 21st Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) concluded on Sunday, awarding Seyyed Morteza Fatemi-directed Iranian film ‘Bi-Madar’ (Motherless) as the Best Film this year.
As for the Bangladeshi films, the 2022 blockbuster ‘Hawa’ received the Audience Award in the Cinema of the World section; while Fakhrul Arefeen Khan-directed film ‘JK 1971’ got the Special Audience Award, Kazi Arefin Ahmed-directed short film Could You Be Free Yet Locked In won the Best Short Film and Khandaker Sumon-directed ‘Saatao’ (Memories of Gloomy Monsoons) won the Best Film Award by FIPRESCI Jury in the Bangladesh Panorama category.
A total of 18 awards were given in different categories at the closing ceremony of the 21st Dhaka International Film Festival, organised by the Rainbow Film Society at the Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Auditorium of Bangladesh National Museum in the capital.
The closing ceremony was joined by ruling Awami League praesidium member Matia Chowdhury, the DIFF chief patron and state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam, Bangladesh National Museum director general Kamruzzaman, information secretary Humayun Kabir Khandaker, DIFF chairperson Kishwar Kamal and the DIFF festival director Ahmed Muztaba Zamal, among others.
In the Asian Cinema Competition Section, the Best Director award went to All Ghavitan for the film ‘Zendegi va Zendegi’ (Life & Life), the Best Actor went to Ikkei Watanabe for Naoki Maeda-directed film ‘Nakodo-Matchmakers’ (Marriage Counselor), and the Best Actress went to Ketaki Narayan for Krishnendu Kalesh-directed film ‘Prappeda’ (Hawk’s Muffin).
The award for Best Script Writer went to Anik Dutta for ‘Aparajito’ (The Undefeated) and the Best Cinematography award went to Artyom Anisimov for Evgeny Grigorev-directed Russian film ‘Podelniki’ (the Riot).
As for the Women Filmmakers Section, Maria Douza-directed Greek film ‘Akouse Me’ (Listen) received the award for Best Feature Film while the Best Documentary Award went to Sri Lanka’s Anomaa Rajakaruna-directed ‘Our Mother, Grandmother, Prime Minister: Sirimavo’ and the Best Director award went to Katharina Woll for the German film ‘Alle Wollen Geliebt Werden’ (Everybody Wants To Be Loved).
The Spiritual Films Section recognized this year’s submission with two special awards: the Best Documentary award went to Galina Evtushenko and Anna Evtushenko (Russia) directed ‘Mahatma Haffkine’ while the award for Best Fiction Film went to Kamrul Ahsan Lenin-directed film Ghore Fera (Home Coming).
Besides, the Best Children Film Badal Rahman Award went to Petr Oukropec-directed film ‘Mazel a tajemství lesa’ (Martin and the Magical Forest), a joint production of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Germany.
From January 15, the 21st DIFF featured a total of 252 films from 71 countries, including Bangladesh, India, China, Turkey, Iran, the United States, Sri Lanka and others. This year, Bangladesh was represented through 81 films including 12 full-length feature films and 69 short and independent films.
Films were screened at the Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib auditorium (main auditorium) and Poet Sufia Kamal auditorium of the Bangladesh National Museum, National Art Gallery auditorium, Nandan Theatre open ground and Jatiya Sangeet and Nrityakala auditorium of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), Star Cineplex (Bashundhara City) and Alliance Francaise de Dhaka (Dhanmondi) in the capital.
The 21st DIFF also featured the Ninth Dhaka International Conference on Women in Cinema 2023 at the Samson Lounge, Dhaka Club, from January 15 to 16 and West Meets East: Screenplay Lab from January 15 to 18 at Alliance Francaise de Dhaka. This year, the festival hosted a day-long master class for the first time on January 21 at Bangladesh National Museum.
Rainbow Film Society has been organising Dhaka International Film Festival since 1992 with the theme Better Film, Better Audience, Better Society.
The next edition of DIFF will take place between January 20-28 in 2024, according to the festival director Ahmed Muztaba Zamal.
Mouth-watering Chotpoti, Fuchka, Tamarind Chatney Recipes for Home Kitchens
Chotpoti and Fuchka are among the most popular street foods in Bangladesh. Fuchka is also known as Gol Gappey, Golgappa, or Pani Puri in the neighbouring countries. Chotpoti, Fuchka, and Tamarind Chaney are usually served together to get the ultimate taste. However, street foods are not healthy. But how can you resist such yummy and spicy dishes? Don’t worry! You can try these street food items in your own kitchen. We are here with easy recipes of chotpoty, fuchka, and Tamarind Chutney.
Food value of Fuchka, Chotpoti, and Tamarind Chatney
Golgappa, Pani Puri, or fuchka’s main ingredient is flour. This food is rich in calories, fat, and carbs.
The main ingredients of Chatpoti or Chotpoti are potatoes, chickpeas, and onions, grated boiled eggs. In chotpoti you will get protein carbohydrates, fiber, fat, Protein, sodium, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin, calcium, and iron.
Read More: 5 Spicy Burrito Recipes for Bangladeshi Kitchen
Tamarind locally known as Tetul is rich in fiber, calories, as well as nutrients like magnesium, potassium, iron, calcium, phosphorus, copper, and Vitamins (B1, B2, B3). It can help in managing high blood pressure. This fruit can also help in lowering blood cholesterol in the human body. Tamarind Chutney made with fresh pulps of Tamarind delivers the benefits of Tamarind.
Delicious Easy recipes of Fuchka, Chotpoti, and Tetuler Chatny
Fuchka Recipe
Ingredients:
Puri
1 cup semolina, ¼ cup flour, and 1/3 cup water.
Read More: 5 Healthy Rajma, Kidney Bean Recipes for This Winter
Festivals like Pitha Utsab needs to be spread all over Bangladesh: KM Khalid
State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid on Thursday said Jatiya Pitha Utsab (National Rice Cake Festival) is an original and integral concept representing Bengali culture.
And festivals like this should be spread all over the country, he added. "We plan to hold this festival at the district level in the future, and the upazila level as well."
Read more: Art exhibition, Pitha Utsab held at FSA
The state minister was speaking at the opening ceremony of the 10-day Sixteenth Jatiya Pitha Utsab organised by the National Pitha Utsab Udjapan Parishad and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) at the BSA premises in the capital.
Liaquat Ali Lucky, director general of the BSA and convener of the 16th National Pitha Utsav Udjapan Parishad 1429, presided over the inauguration ceremony. Dance maestro Amanul Haque was also present.
M Hamid, cultural personality and president of the Jatiya Pitha Utsab Udjapan Parishad, joined the event as the main speaker.
Read more: Pitha sales surge as winter nears
Fifty stalls are showcasing more than 200 pithas (traditional cakes) at the 16th Jatiya Pitha Utsab, and the festival is open to all from 3pm to 9pm till January 28.
5 Spicy Burrito Recipes for Bangladeshi Kitchen
The tradition of the burrito started as early as 10,000 B.C. However, the actual burrito may be invented in the early 20th century. At that time it was a common practice among the Mesoamericans to wrap foods using corn tortillas. Over the years, Burritos gained popularity in Mexico and Asia. Nowadays, Burrito has become a popular treat in the restaurants and street food shops of Bangladesh, especially in Dhaka city. You can try this yummy food at home too. Let’s find out 5 easy-made burrito recipes for Bangladeshi kitchens.
Food value of Burrito Wrap
1 burrito wrap will give you 28.6g total carbs, 23.9g net carbs, 19.6g fat, 20.5g protein, and 375 calories, water 187.4g of, tryptophan 0.4g of, threonine 1.1g of, isoleucine 1.5g, leucine 2.6g.
The nutritious value of the Burrito can be further increased by adding meat, beef, lamb, chicken, vegetables, and rice.
Read More: Top 10 Most Expensive Coffees in the World
5 Mouth-watering Burrito Recipes to Try at Home
Chicken Burrito Rolls Recipe
Ingredients
1 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1 teaspoon sugar, 3 onion, 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, salt (as required), 3 tablespoon spaghetti sauce, 500 gm minced chicken, 4 tortillas, black pepper (as required), 2 cloves garlic
Directions
First, chop onions, tomatoes, and garlic and grate the cheese. Now, heat oil in a pan on medium flame. Then add chopped onion and garlic. Fry them for 2-3 minutes. Add minced chicken to the pan and fry as long as the chicken becomes golden brown.
Read More: 5 Healthy Rajma, Kidney Bean Recipes for This Winter
Add salt, cumin, black pepper powder, and sugar into the pan and mix everything together. After one minute, add sauce, and tomatoes and low the heat. Remove from the stove when the chicken is done.
Now, take tortillas and put the cheese and chicken mixture in the middle of the tortillas, and roll them like a spring roll. Fry each tortilla as long as the cheese melts. Slice the tortilla and serve.
Lamb Burritos Recipe
Ingredients
2 (about 500g) corncobs (husks and silk removed), 8 corn tortillas, 500g minced lamb, 2 tsp sweet paprika, Olive oil spray, 1 small red capsicum (deseeded, finely chopped), 1/2 red onion (finely chopped), 2 green chilies, 2 tbsp fresh coriander, 8 butter lettuce leaves, and natural yogurt (to serve).
Read More: 5 Delightful Lasagna Recipes to Add to Your Repertoire
Directions
First, put the corn in a steamer basket over a pan of simmering water. Cook for 4 minutes and keep aside to cool. Cut down the length of the corn using a knife, close to the core, and make sure you remove the kernels.
Now fry both sides of the tortillas for 40 seconds. Then cover the tortillas with foil to keep them warm.
Take a pan and put in the olive oil. Add the lamb with paprika and cook for 5 minutes. Then add capsicum, onion, and green chilies, and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Finally. Add the corn and coriander leaves, cook for 2 minutes and remove from the heat.
Read More: 4 Easy Vaapa Pitha Recipes for Urban Kitchens
Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations in Europe
It is the season of love. It doesn’t have to be any specific time or season to celebrate love, especially for honeymooners. Over the years, western Europe and its coasts have become go-to spots for newlywed love birds. From Santorini’s coast to Amalfi’s peaks, Europe is probably the perfect destination to make your honeymoon absolutely magical. With that said, here’s our list of 10 of the most popular honeymoon destinations in Europe.
10 Best Honeymoon Destinations in Europe
You will need to create an itinerary that best suits your travel plan. In this article, we will mainly focus on the places and their offerings.
Santorini, Greece
Starting the list with the blue lagoon and the lush white houses of Santorini. For over 3 decades, Santorini has been one of the top choices for destination weddings and honeymooners.
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And why not? The place has everything from the crisscrossed houses on the side of the mountain to the horizon touching the Aegean sea.
Top 10 Most Expensive Coffees in the World
Coffee, the beloved morning pick-me-up for many, has a rich history and diverse global cultivation. The origins of coffee can be traced back to the ancient kingdom of Ethiopia, where a goat herder named Kaldi discovered the energizing properties of the coffee plant. From Ethiopia, coffee spread to the Middle East and then to Europe, eventually becoming a global commodity and one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. Each region has its own unique growing conditions and methods, resulting in a diverse range of flavors and qualities among the different types of coffee.
Different people like different types and flavours of coffees. Some like smooth and mild brews, while some like bold and complex cups. But did you know that some types of coffee can cost more than others? Read on to learn about the top 10 priciest coffee beans in the world.
10 Highest-Priced Coffee Beans in the World
Black Ivory Coffee: $1500/pound
Black Ivory coffee is made from Thai Arabica beans that have been eaten by elephants and other animals, passing through their digestive tracts before being collected. The enzymes in the animal’s stomachs break down the coffee’s protein, resulting in a unique and smooth taste.
Read More: Green Coffee: Health Benefits, Side Effects, Recipes
This coffee is only produced in small batches and is extremely rare, making it one of the most expensive coffees in the world. With an expected allocation of 215 kg (474 LBS) for 2022, it is primarily sold to exclusive five-star hotels, making it the world’s rarest coffee. Usually, it costs around $1,500/pound or Tk. 1,55,945/ pound.
Ospina Coffee: $1400/pound
It is a premium Colombian coffee grown in the volcanic highland of the Andean region of Colombia. It is known for its smooth, well-balanced flavor and medium body, making it a popular choice among coffee enthusiasts. The coffee beans are grown in the ideal climate and altitude, which contributes to their consistent quality.
The coffee is produced using traditional Colombian coffee-making methods, which include hand-picking the ripe coffee cherries and carefully processing the beans.
Read More: 7 Yummy Coffee Recipes to Try at Home without Coffee Maker
Its price can vary depending on the region, but its typically common varieties may cost around $120 or Tk. 12,475 per pound, making it a relatively high-end coffee compared to other Colombian coffees. The most expensive variety cost around $1,400/pound or Tk. 1,45,549 per pound.
Kopi Luwak: $600/pound
Kopi Luwak, also known as civet coffee, is made from beans that have been eaten and excreted by the Asian palm civet. Civet is a type of cat in Southeast Asia. The civet’s digestive enzymes ferment the beans, resulting in a unique flavor profile.
This process is what makes Kopi Luwak one of the most expensive coffees in the world, with prices ranging from $160 (Tk. 16,634) to $600 (Tk. 62,378) per pound. It is considered a delicacy and is often marketed as a rare and exclusive product.
Read More: Coffeemaker buying guide with prices in Bangladesh