singer
Remembering 'Playback King’ Andrew Kishore
Thursday marks the 66th birth anniversary of legendary singer Andrew Kishore, widely regarded as the "Playback King" and one of the most iconic singers in Bangladesh.
Born to Khitish Chandra Baroi and Minu Baroi on November 4, 1955, at Rajshahi in Bangladesh (then East Pakistan), Kishore, a Christian by birth, completed his master's degree in commerce from Rajshahi University in 1977.
At the age of six, Kishore started taking music lessons from Abdul Aziz Bachchu, who was the chief music director of Rajshahi Betar at that time -- and Kishore got his first break via participating in a talent hunt project organised in Dhaka by Shahidul Islam, the then director of the Transcription Service of Bangladesh Betar.
Soon after recognising Kishore's potential, Bangladesh Betar (previously Radio Bangladesh) signed him as a vocalist in the areas of modern, folk, patriotic, Nazrul, and Tagore songs.
Also read: Andrew Kishore's condition critical, put on life support
Kishore's great adventure in Dhallywood began with the film 'Mail Train' (1977). 'Ochinpurer Rajkumari Nei Je Tar Keu', composed by Saley Alam Khan, was his debut playback song.
After receiving critical recognition for the song 'Ek Chor Jay Chole', penned by Alam Khan in 'Protigga' (1979), Kishore never had to look back on his great musical career.
Remembered for his iconic tracks, including ‘Jiboner Golpo, Achhe Baki Olpo’, ‘Amar Buker Moddhe Khane’, ‘Dak Diyachhen Doyal Amare’, ‘Hayre Manush Rongin Fanush’, ‘Amar Shara Deho Kheyo Go Mati’, ‘Amar Babar Mukhe Prothom Jedin Shunechilam Gaan’, ‘Bhengeche Pinjor Meleche Dana’, ‘Bhalobese Gelam Shudhu’, and ‘Shobai To Bhalobasha Chae’, Kishore sang nearly 15,000 songs in his career.
Apart from being a prolific singer with a versatile and deeply melodic voice, Kishore also tried to inspire a new generation of singers through platforms like ‘Bangladeshi Idol’ as one of its judges.
For his tremendous contribution to the film industry of the country, Kishore won Bangladesh National Film Award eight times as the ‘Best Male Playback Singer’ for ‘Boro Bhalo Lok Chhilo’ (1982), ‘Surrender’ (1987), ‘Khotipuron’ (1989), ‘Padma Meghna Jamuna’ (1991), ‘Kabul’ (1996), ‘Aaj Gaye Holud’ (2000), ‘Saajghor’ (2007) and ‘Ki Jadu Korila’ (2008), alongside five prestigious Bachsas Awards and three Meril-Prothom Alo Awards, to name a few.
Also read: Singer Andrew Kishore passes away
The eminent singer passed away on July 6, 2020, due to Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Sanyat’s 2nd single ‘You and Me’ awaits global release
Sanyat Sattar’s second single, ‘You and Me’,will be released on global platforms on August 29.
He wrote the lyrics and composed the music in the duet featuring Sarah Billah.
“I had the track and music ready and was looking for a duet partner. Coincidentally, my friend Sarah was in Bangladesh, and I requested her to join me,” he said.
Sarah, an accomplished singer herself, has sung many Bengali songs. ‘You and Me’ is her first one in English.
Britney Spears’ dad will exit conservatorship, but not yet
Britney Spears’ father said in a court filing Thursday that he is planning to step down from the conservatorship that has controlled her life and money for 13 years, but his departure is not imminent.
James Spears filed legal documents saying that while there are no grounds for his removal, he will step down after several lingering issues are resolved. The document gives no timetable for his resignation from his role helping oversee his daughter’s finances.
“Mr. Spears continues to serve dutifully, and he should not be suspended or removed, and certainly not based on false allegations,” the filing said. “Mr. Spears is willing to step down when the time is right, but the transition needs to be orderly and include a resolution of matters pending before the Court.”
Also read: Britney Spears' public support may not mean much in court
Those matters include the next judicial review of the pop singer’s finances, which has been delayed by months of public and legal wrangling over James’ Spears role and the legitimacy of the conservatorship by Britney Spears and, in recent weeks, her new attorney.
The documents say that James Spears has been “the unremitting target of unjustified attacks” but “he does not believe that a public battle with his daughter over his continuing service as her conservator would be in her best interests.”
The filing says James Spears will fight the petition to force him out, but will work with the court and Britney Spears’ attorney Matthew Rosengart on the next phases.
“We are pleased that Mr. Spears and his lawyer have today conceded in a filing that he must be removed,” Rosengart said in a statement. “It is vindication for Britney.”
Spears said he was working on a plan to give up his role from before his daughter hired Rosengart last month.
For most of the existence of the conservatorship, which was established in 2008, James Spears oversaw his daughter’s personal affairs and money. In 2019, he stepped down as the so-called conservator of her person, and maintained control of her finances.
Also read: How conservatorships like Britney Spears’ work
He was nevertheless the target of much of his daughter’s ire in a pair of speeches before the court in June and July, in which she called the conservatorship “abusive.” Spears in her June remarks said she had been required to use an intrauterine device for birth control, take medications against her will and prevented from getting married, having another child or even riding in her boyfriend’s car unsupervised.
“This conservatorship is doing me way more harm than good,” the 39-year-old Spears said at the time. “I deserve to have a life.”
James Spears, 69, was fighting to remain in control in court filings as recently as last week. He said the allegations in his daughter’s testimony are “untested,” need investigation, and involve issues that have long been out of his control.
He suggested that Jodi Montgomery, who took over for him as conservator of Britney Spears’ personal affairs, deserved scrutiny if her allegations were accurate.
Rosengart said that while he welcomed the new move, he will not take the pressure of James Spears, who should not wait to step down.
“We look forward to continuing our vigorous investigation into the conduct of Mr. Spears, and others, over the past 13 years, while he reaped millions of dollars from his daughter’s estate, and I look forward to taking Mr. Spears’s sworn deposition in the near future,” Rosengart’s statement said. “In the interim, rather than making false accusations and taking cheap shots at his own daughter, Mr. Spears should remain silent and step aside immediately.”
Even after James Spears’ departure, the court will maintain the same control over Britney Spears that is has since the conservatorship was put in place in 2008. But he has been a lightning rod for the ire of fans in the #FreeBritney movement, whose voice have become increasingly prominent as they have been embraced by Britney Spears and Rosengart.
And Rosengart has marked James Spears’ departure as a necessary first step before ending the arrangement entirely.
The new filing adamantly defends the work of James Spears and the conservatorship, and pushes back especially against allegations made by Britney Spears’ mother Lynne Spears in a recent declaration.
Also read: Britney Spears tells judge: ‘I want my life back’
“When this Conservatorship was initiated 13 years ago, Britney Jean Spears was in crisis, desperately in need of help. Not only was she suffering mentally and emotionally, she was also being manipulated by predators and in financial distress,” the documents say. “Mr. Spears came to his daughter’s rescue to protect her, and this Court made the determination that the protection provided by a conservatorship was necessary and in Ms. Spears’ best interests.”
The documents say that Lynne Spears was wrong in criticizing the hiring of a psychiatrist that she said James Spears chose for their daughter, and in saying that medications he prescribed were inappropriate.
The doctor was actually chosen by Britney Spears herself, and had the approval of Montgomery, her medical team, and Britney Spears’ previous attorney, the filing says. This same group, including the singer herself, approved of the medication the doctor prescribed, the filing says.
It also criticizes Lynne Spears assuming a role at all, saying she is someone Britney Spears “has avoided speaking with for most of her adult life.”
'Folk Empress' Momotaz conferred honorary doctorate by Indian university
Momotaz Begum, leading Bangladeshi folk singer and MP, has been conferred an honorary doctorate by an Indian university.
According to a post on her Facebook page on Monday night, the singer received this honorary degree from Global Human Peace University in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu for her contributions to folk music in her three-decade-long career.
"Momotaz Begum has been awarded the prestigious 'Doctor of Music' by the university's founder and chairperson Dr P Manuel on April 10. The degree was presented to her, honoring her career and legacy for numerous achievements such as being the only music artist with a world record of 800 music albums, playing her role as a singer through upholding the pride of Bengali music in front of the entire world, popularising folk music in the society, achieving multiple National Awards in Bangladesh and engaging in many socio-cultural activities," the post read.
Apart from enthralling Bangladeshi audiences the world over for the past 30 years, Momotaz Begum has also been actively engaged in politics since 2009. She is currently serving as a Jatiya Sangsad member representing the ruling party from the Manikganj-2 constituency.
Eminent Rabindra Sangeet singer Mita Haque passes away
Ekushey Padak winning Rabindra Sangeet singer Mita Haque passed away at a hospital in Dhaka on Sunday (April 11, 2021), after losing her battle with Covid-19. She was 59.
The singer breathed her last at 6:20 am.
According to her family sources, Haque tested positive for Covid-19 on March 25 and was admitted to Bangladesh Specialized Hospital on March 31.
Also read: Noted singer Jane Alam passes away
However, she tested negative a few days later and returned home from the hospital. On Saturday night, her blood pressure fell down and she was rushed to the hospital again where doctors informed that she had suffered a heart attack.
She was then kept on ventilation before eventually losing her battle with illness.
Haque was also suffering from kidney disease and used to undergo dialysis on a regular basis.
Her body will be taken to Chhayanaut at 11 am where her colleagues, students and admirers will pay last respect to the Rabindra Sangeet legend.
Also Read: Singer Andrew Kishore passes away
She will be buried at the family graveyard at her ancestral home in Manohariya of Keraniganj, according to her family sources.
Born into a musical family on September 6, 1962, the noted artiste received her musical training from maestros including her paternal uncle and late musicologist Waheedul Haq, current Chhayanaut president Sanjida Khatun and musician Ustad Mohammad Hossain Khan, to name a few.
She had been a regular performer in the Bangladesh Television and radio since 1977.
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Besides her esteemed singing career, Mita Haque was the founder director and teacher of her music school Shurotirtha. She served as the head of the Department of Rabindra Sangeet at Chhayanaut, Dhaka and also as the former general secretary and incumbent vice-president of the Rabindra Sangeet Shommelon Parishad.
For her remarkable contribution in the music industry, she was conferred with Ekushey Padak in 2020 and the Rabindra Puraskar from Bangla Academy in 2017.
Mita Haque was married to renowned actor Khaled Khan who died in 2013.
Read Journalist Afzal Mohammad dies of COVID-19
Best washing machines under 25000 taka in Bangladesh with Buying Tips
We are accustomed to completing our household chores through maids. When it comes to washing the clothes, we entirely depend on the maid. Some may prefer laundry services, but those are time-consuming and may damage your clothes. Therefore, washing clothes in the house could be the only solution. But nowadays, finding a regular maid seems rare in some parts of the city. And you may not have enough spare time to wash your clothes after a long day. So, a washing machine will certainly come in handy for these situations. We have listed some of the best washing machines under 25000 takas in Bangladesh with some buying tips.
Washing machine buying guide in Bangladesh
Whether you are a newbie or an experienced user, you should know some important factors before buying a washing machine.
Loading Type
Loading type signifies the way you will load your clothes. Usually, loading options are front loading and top loading. However, both of the loading types offer their own advantages and advantages.
Function type
Typically, washing machines for the home come with two function types, fully automatic and semi-automatic. Depending on your family you may choose the one you need. You should find the details on the brochure or product package.
Capacity
Determine the capacity based on family size, how many clothes you will wash, or how frequent you will wash. However, practice will vary according to capacity.
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Washing machine types
Typically washing machines type manual labor alongside the number of functions. Therefore, it is categorized into two types; Semi-automatic washing machine and Fully automatic washing machine. Semi-automatic machines are normally entry-level washing machines that have two tubs, and one is used for washing while the other one is used for dying. Semi-automatics require more human intervention.
On the other hand, fully automatic machines are usually categorized based on loading type. One is the top load washing machine, and the other one is a front load washing machine. The automatic machine has only one tub, and the single tub can wash and dry the clothes. Hence, it requires less human involvement. The top load washing machine offers less function than the front load washing machines.
Other things to look at before buying
Apart from the above-mentioned criteria, you will need to check other important features, too, such as the material of the tub, spin cycle, wash setting, temperature control, fuzzy logic, and time delay.
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6 Best washing machines under 25000 in Bangladesh
Following is the list of the washing machine under 25000 takas. However, we have included under 10000 washing machines and under 20000 washing machines too.
Vision Twin Tub Washing Machine 6.5kg
It is one of the cheapest but robust products from Vision. It can wash your clothes in 15 minutes with 5 min spin time. The spin speed will be 1300 r/minute which is relatively fast on a 220V/50Hz power speed. However, you can wash the clothes in a normal and gentle mood. After it is done with the washes, it will rinse your clothes automatically.
Vision Twin Tub Washing Machine can wash 6.5Kg clothes at a time. Although the price on the official website is 10,700 taka, most of the time, you will buy it from as low as 9,000 takas because of the promotional price.
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Walton Washing Machine WWM-STP80 8.0 kg
It is much stronger than other machines within this price range. And it can easily take a heavy load of large-sized clothes. The fashionable flower design on large temper clothes increases the decoration of your home.
The air-dry feature is so effective that the natural wind can pass at high speed, which eventually dries the clothes quickly. However, it is made with plastic but can last for your whole life. It can wash 8kg clothes at a time, but a 6kg load can handle the spin properly. The regular price of WWM-STP80 is 13,500 taka.
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Whirlpool Superb Atom 70S Semi-Automatic Washing Machine - 7 KG
Superb Atom 70S Semi-Automatic comes with a wide range of features. Firstly, the smart scrab station gives you the opportunity to scrab your clothes in a standing position, though scrabbing is not necessary. Secondly, the inbuilt memory auto-start helps the machine to remember from where to start in case of any power cut during the washing time.
The large wash tub provides enough space to spin your clothes. As a result, it boosts the dirt removal process. A super-efficient 340w motor enhances the cleaning process and reduces the washing time. The continuous soak and the scrub process will take only 25 minutes to finish the whole process. Whirlpool Superb Atom 70S will cost taka 16,800.
Read Best Vacuum Floor Cleaner under Tk10000 in Bangladesh
Sharp Top Loading Full Auto Washing Machine (ES-718/7Kg)
It is a fully automatic top-loaded type washing machine that can take a load of 7kg. It comes with fuzzy control and with a 700 RPM spin speed. The washboard texture stainless steel tub provides the perfect washing performance as your clothes don't get damaged. It can also auto start after a blackout or power cut off. Although the regular price is 30,000 taka, the discounted price is 22,390 taka which remains the same all year round.
SINGER Full Automatic 7KG Washing Machine
Singer's full automatic washing machine comes with six preset programs, which include normal, quick soft, heavy, quick wash, delay wash, and more. Furthermore, the child lock feature increases safety. The 600-800 rpm spinning speed enables quick washing. You can set and check everything on the LED display. SINGER Full Automatic 7KG Washing Machine is priced at 22,990 taka, which is quite reasonable with all those features.
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Samsung Top Loading Washing Machine WA70M4300HP/IM 7.0 KG
The six blades provide an intense and wide shower that removes the dirt effectively as well as rinses thoroughly. Besides, the stainless steel pulsator ensures a high-performance washing that is scratch-resistant too. It comes with an Eco Tab Clean course that keeps the top load washer fresh without having any harsh chemicals. The 600-800 rpm spin speed can easily take a load of 7kg clothes. This piece of the machine from Samsung is priced at 25,000 taka.
If you are a budget buyer or a bachelor, you may consider a vision twin tub, while the mid-range buyer can check out the under 20,000 washing machines. Moreover, if you don't want to do much research you can buy any of the washing machines we have mentioned here.
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Veteran singer Namita Ghosh passes away
Veteran Singer Namita Ghosh, a vocalist of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, died in Dhaka on Saturday (March 27, 2021). She was 63.
Namita breathed her last at a hospital in the capital.
She left behind three brothers, two sisters and a host of relatives to mourn her death.
Read Noted singer Jane Alam passes away
She will be given a guard of honour around 1 pm at a temple in the city’s Shakhari Bazar, said a press of Bangladesh Awami League.
Prime Minister and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina on Saturday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Namita Ghosh.
Read PM shocked at death of Namita Ghosh
She prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family.
Meanwhile, AL general secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader also expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Namita Ghosh.
Read Remembering Shahnaz Rahmatullah
Remembering Shahnaz Rahmatullah
Tuesday marked the second death anniversary of legendary Bengali singer Shahnaz Rahmatullah, often referred to as the “Queen of modern Bangla music”.
The singer died of a cardiac failure at her Baridhara residence in the capital on March 23, 2019, midnight, at the age of 67.
Born in Dhaka to M Fazlul Haque and Aasia Haque on January 2, 1952, the year of the historic Bengali Language Movement, Shahnaz sang a number of iconic Bengali modern songs and cemented her everlasting legacy as one of the greatest Bengali singers of all time.
Also Read: Singer Shahnaz Rahmatullah laid to rest
With her mother’s wise tutelage, Shahnaz’s professional experience as a thriving music artiste began at the age of 11, as a playback singer of the movie Notun Shur (1963).
She appeared on television for the first time in 1964 and marked her Golden Jubilee as a regular music artiste in 2014.
Many of her legendary songs are considered as the remarkable patriotic songs in history, most of which she sang after the Liberation War.
Ek Nodi Rokto Periye, which she sang for eminent filmmaker Khan Ataur Rahman's majestic film Abar Tora Manush Ho (1973), ranked 9th position on BBC’s survey of 20 greatest Bangla songs of all times.
Also Read: PM mourns death of singer Shahnaz Rahmatullah
Written and composed by Khan Ataur Rahman, the song recalls the contribution of the freedom fighters during the glorious Liberation War, recalling how they snatched and earned the victory over a blooded journey of nine months.
Three of her other evergreen Bengali patriotic songs -- Ekbar Jete De Na Amar Chotto Sonar Gaye, Ek Tara Tui Desher Kotha and collaboration in the song Joy Bangla, Banglar Joy -- were also ranked 15th, 19th and 13th position on the BBC survey, marking her the only female singer with the highest number of all-time best Bengali songs.
Her other popular songs include Amar Desher Matir Gondhe, Sagorer Teer Theke, Je Chhilo Drishtir Shimanay, and Phuler Kane Bhramar Ese. In her illustrious career spanning over six decades, she also sang a number of ghazals.
Shahnaz Rahmatullah’s elder brother Anwar Pervez was one of the leading music directors in the country, and the director behind her iconic songs. Her other brother Zafar Iqbal was a famous actor who acted in over 150 films. He was also a singer, known for his iconic song Shukhe Theko O Amar Nondini and for his solo album Kano Tumi Kandaley.
For her legendary career and contributions to Bengali music, she was awarded Ekushey Padak in 1992. Her other accolades include President's Pride of Performance Medal (1965), Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer (1990), Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Award and Bangladesh Chalachitra Sangbadik Samity Award.
Noted singer Jane Alam passes away
Note singer Jane Alam died at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital on Tuesday night at the age of 65.