United News of Bangladesh

 Popular actor-singer Chanchal Chowdhury lost his father Radha Govinda Chowdhury on Tuesday night at a city hospital. He was 90. The acclaimed actor’s father breathed his last at 7:50 pm at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Green Life hospital in the capital.Actress and Chanchal Chowdhury’s friend Shahnaz Khushi confirmed this on her Facebook profile on Tuesday night. Read more: Eminent film actor Wasim passes away His last rites will take place at the hometown of Chanchal Chowdhury in Kamarhat of Sujanagar upazila, Pabna on Wednesday.Radha Govinda Chowdhury was admitted to the hospital due to old-age complications. He was taken to the ICU after his health deteriorated. Mentioning his father’s illness, Chanchal Chowdhury wrote on his Facebook profile on December 25: “For 13 days now, my father has been in the ICU on life support. We are just counting the days now.”

Reuniting with his beloved fans after 2019, popular Bangladeshi-American producer, composer, and singer-songwriter Fuad Almuqtadir grooved the Dhaka audience with ‘Fuad Live’ on Sunday night at the capital’s International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) Expo Zone. Organised by SkyTracker Limited, the concert featured a star-studded line-up including Bassbaba Sumon, Pantho Kanai, Anila, Elita, Rafa, Zohad, Fairuz, Tashfee, Xefer, Tasnim Anika, Hasib, Riasat, Pavel, Ashreen, Aly Hasan, Zaki Adnan, Black Jang, Shafayat, Scionara and more. The concert featured several performances of Fuad and friends, and began with Hasib’s performance of ‘Dak Diyachen’ which throttled the ‘Fuad Intro’ part of the concert. The segment then featured Fairuz performing 'Tumi Hina', followed by a couple of tracks by Tashfee. Popular singer Xefer then rocked the audience with Fuad’s popular song 'Besto Shohore'. Read: 32 bands to take the stage of Dhaka Rock Fest 3.0 on December 27,28 Reuniting with Fuad after a long time, Elita performed her popular tracks 'Kothay' and ‘Urey Jete Chai’. Pantha Kanai then grooved the audiences with a crazy performance of ‘Nouka’ and ‘Chumki’, which was followed by rap performances of Back Jang and the viral ‘Bebshar Poristhiti’ famed singer Aly Hasan’s group with their popular tracks. Fairuz then took the stage, concluding the ‘Fuad Intro’ part. The next part, the ‘Rafa intro’ began with AvoidRafa, Cryptic Fate and former Aurthohin member Rafa’s majestic performances including the song ‘Anmone 2’ which was originally mastered by Fuad. This was followed by ‘Manbo Na’ by Ashreen and Zaki Adnan, followed by two rocking tracks by Nemesis frontman Zohad and Arekta Rock Band’s Riasat. The ‘Bassbaba Sumon intro’ then began as the concluding part of the event. The night's biggest attraction was from this intro and the segment where Bassbaba Sumon, Fuad and Anila Naz Choudhury performed together on stage for the first time in 14 years since 2008, after their critically acclaimed 2007 album ‘Ekhon Ami’. “The last time I performed on stage with Fuad was for the Joy Bangla concert (2020). On that particular day, I came to the venue by ambulance and wondered if I would ever be able to walk into the stage or perform again. Fast forward to 2022, and here I am once again performing with Anila, and Fuad and with a much better physical condition - and I believe it is a miracle because of your prayers and wishes,” said an emotional Sumon, thanking the audience. Read: Mehreen honoured with BCRA ‘Best Pop Singer’ Award Anila began the intro with her popular song ‘Ke Bashi Bajay Re’ from Fuad's 2007 album ‘Bonno’, the biggest hit of his career. The soulful tribute to the Happy Akhand-Lucky Akhand track was then followed by the mesmerizing performance of Sumon and Anila, who performed their superhit song ‘Gaibo Na’ after 14 years on stage. Tasnim Anika then grooved the night with two of Fuad’s most popular and electrifying tracks, ‘Tumi Ki Shara Debe’ and ‘Rupban’. Tashfee then performed ‘Bhromor’, followed by Hasib’s rendition of another popular Fuad remake ‘Nitol Paaye’ and the concert ended with the official song for the ICC World Twenty20 World Cup 2014 song ‘Char Chhokka Hoi Hoi’ by Johan. Fuad’s first full-length album was the self-released ‘Maya’ in 1998, followed by his next album, Re/Evolution, released in 2003 featuring dancehall, R&B, hip hop, and pop styles and artists from 6 different countries across 3 different continents, establishing him as one of Bangladesh’s most promising producers along with Habib Wahid and Arnob, his contemporaries in the industry. Fuad Live was presented by its telecom partner Banglalink, beverage partner Nescafe, payment partner bKash, community partner Bangladesh Band Music Forum Community and PR partner MediaQuest Bangladesh.

Thirty-two bands are set to light up the stage of the Dhaka Rock Fest 3.0, one of the most anticipated band music festivals in the capital, on December 27 and 28 at the International Convention City Bashundhara Expo Zone. The third edition of this musical rendezvous, organised by SkyTracker and presented by telecom operator Banglalink, will feature different bands including Warfaze, Aurthohin, Meghdol, Artcell, Nemesis, AvoidRafa, and Cryptic Fate. "Rock music is incredibly popular among the youth in Bangladesh and we want to entertain the concert-loving young crowd. So, we organise this concert regularly," SkyTracker Director Sazid Islam said Saturday. Qazi Urfi Ahmad, brand and communication director of Banglalink Digital Communication said: "We have been regularly organising and sponsoring various programmes considering the needs of the youth of our country, such as the Dhaka Rock Fest." The gates of this year's Banglalink Dhaka Rock Fest 3.0 will open at 10am on both days. The first day of the concert will feature Apekkhik, Arekta Rock Band, Artcell, Bangla Five, Bangu Bibi, Brahmaputra, Cryptic Fate, Fantasy Realm, Karnival, Nemesis, Owned, Power Surge, Sonar Bangla Circus, Torture Goregrinder, Trainwreck, and Unmaad. The second day of the concert will feature Aftermath, Arbovirus, Aurthohin, AvoidRafa, Bay of Bengal, Calypso, Conclusion, Dads in the Park, Mechanix, Meghdol, Severe Dementia, Shepherds, Shuvo Jatra, Sin, Subconscious and Warfaze. Concertgoers can buy tickets for Dhaka Rock Fest 3.0 from the event's ticketing partner Get Set Rock's website. Tickets for a single day will cost Tk500 and combo tickets for both days will cost Tk900.  Digital entertainment app Toffee is the streaming partner of the event.  

Singer Mehreen has been honoured with the Bangladesh Cultural Reporters Association (BCRA) Best Pop Singer Award 2022 for her outstanding contribution throughout her illustrious career in the music industry. The award was handed over at the 27th anniversary of BCRA held at the International Mother Language Institute in the capital recently. Read: Pooja to receive Vietnam President’s “Friendship Medal” Wednesday Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud attended the programme as the chief guest and handed over the award to the singer. President of Nagorik Dhaka’s President M Nayeem Hossain was also present there.   

Bangladeshi-American music record producer, composer, musician and singer-songwriter Fuad Almuqtadir is all set to rock the Dhaka audience with ‘Fuad Live’, one of the biggest concerts in years on December 25 at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) Expo Zone in the capital. The concert is being organised by SkyTracker Limited and will feature an ensemble cast of more than 30 popular music artistes from the country including Elita, Rafa, Pantho Kanai, Zohad, Fairuz, Tashfi, Xefer, Tasnim Anika, Black Zang, Aly Hasan and more. Two biggest surprises have been announced for this gala concert, as this will feature Bassbaba Sumon, Fuad and Anila Naz Chowdhury together for the first time in 14 years since 2008, and Stoic Bliss, one of the most popular urban musical groups known for their cult-popular song 'Abar Jigay’. Regarding his participation in the concert, Bassbaba Sumon wrote on his Facebook page: “The last time I performed on stage with Fuad was for the Joy Bangla concert (2020). Back then, I was in really bad physical condition. On that particular day, I cautiously walked onto the stage holding a walking stick and could not perform properly due to my illness. I wondered if I would ever be able to walk into the stage or perform again.” Read more: 'Adventure of Sundarban': Trail of children's film starring Pori Moni, Siam released “However, as 2022 comes to an end, I am posting this status today for a special reason. I will return to the stage to reunite with Fuad on the following 25th. Insha'Allah, I will step onto the stage that day in good health any crutches and you'll see Anila, Fuad, and I performing together,” Bassbaba Sumon wrote. Doza Alan, Chief Executive Officer of Sky Tracker Limited said, “We are bringing Fuad Live back to the stage after a long time since 2019. It is anticipated that having Fuad, Bassbaba Sumon, and Anila on the same stage will spark a great deal of excitement and surprise among the audience. We are planning this open-air concert with keeping our youth as the main priority at the Expo Zone, as the past concerts held at the Expo Zone received incredibly encouraging feedback from the fans.” Tickets for the concert were released on December 14 and can be purchased from the show’s ticketing partner Get Set Rocks’ website at https://getsetrock.com/.  Two tiers of tickets are available for the event - regular for 500 Tk and VIP for 2000 taka.  Read more: 'Amar E Gaan': Aurthohin back with new music video after six years The gates of the Expo Zone will open for the concertgoers at 4 pm.  One of the most popular music composers among the youth in Bangladesh for incorporating fusion, folk, rock, pop and electronic dance music, Fuad Almuqtadir garnered popularity for his works with prominent singers including Sumon, Topu, Mila, Elita, Anila, Upol, Poonam and more.  Fuad’s first full-length album was the self-released Maya in 1998, which shot him to underground popularity in the diaspora. His next album, Re/Evolution, was released in 2003 featuring dancehall, R&B, hip hop, and pop styles and artists from 6 different countries across 3 different continents, establishing him as one of Bangladesh’s most promising producers along with Habib Wahid and Arnob, his contemporaries in the industry. Fuad Live is presented by its telecom partner Banglalink, beverage partner Nescafe, payment partner bKash, community partner Bangladesh Band Music Forum Community and PR partner MediaQuest Bangladesh.

Several renowned cultural organisations hosted various events across the country to celebrate the 52nd Victory Day of Bangladesh with festivities. Organisations and institutions, namely Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), Chhayanaut, Liberation War Museum (LWM), Sammilita Sangskritik Jote, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigosthi and others hosted cultural shows and discussions at different venues on Friday and Saturday. The festivities in the city began with a three-day ‘Bijoymela’ organised by Bangla Academy on December 15 at its Nazrul Mancha. State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid inaugurated the event, which was comprised of a seminar on December 15 at the Abdul Karim Sahitya Bisharad Auditorium. Bangla Academy staff alongside its Director General poet Nurul Huda placed floral wreaths at the National Martyrs Memorial on Victory Day, and the ‘Bijoymela’ was concluded on Saturday. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) staff and artistes also placed floral wreaths at the National Martyrs’ Memorial and organised several cultural events throughout Friday. The cultural shows comprised patriotic songs, recitations, dance and a special performance segment with child artists at the Nandan Mancha on the BSA, featuring child artistes from Sporsho Braille, and a dance recital by differently abled children’s troupe Karishma Cultural Group. Returning after two years since its maiden edition in 2015, cultural institution Chhayanaut organised a programme at the Dhaka University Central Playground featuring solo and group songs, recitations and dance recitals. The event was on a hiatus due to Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and Dhaka University Birth Centenary events in 2021.  Read more: Cultural orgs celebrate Victory Day amid festivities Chhayanaut artistes performed eight group songs and two solo songs compiled with dance recitals, and recitations by Jayanto Chattopadhyay at the event. The festivity concluded at 4:31 pm with a group song performance along with the audience, marking the exact moment when the Pakistan Military surrendered to the allied forces of Bangladesh and India in 1971.

On the eve of Bangladesh’s Victory Day, the exhibition titled ‘Witnessing History in the Making: Photographs by Anne de Henning’ was inaugurated at the Liberation War Museum in Dhaka. The exhibition, curated by Ruxmini Reckvana Q Choudhury, showcases some rare and iconic photographs that celebrate Bangladesh’s indomitable courage during the 1971 Liberation War against Pakistani military and the man who led the nation during its most trying and finest hour, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. On Thursday, the exhibition was inaugurated with the presence of State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources and Trustee of Center for Research and Information (CRI) Nasrul Hamid, Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni, Director of Samdani Art Foundation Nadia Samdani, State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid, State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak and others. Renowned French photographer Anne de Henning was supposed to attend the opening of the exhibit, however, she was unable to join due to a flight delay. State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said: "Henning was a fearless young woman. She traveled across Bangladesh to take photos; fear could not stand in her way." "I told Henning that you only had your camera to accompany you. And then I asked if she was concerned about her safety," Nasrul said. "She said she knew nothing called fear at that time and was full of courage, and the photos that she took are a testament to that. Only one name – 'Mujib' – inspired her in her journey. She came to Bangladesh again in 1972 to discover more about her source of inspiration." "As Henning came here, she found Sheikh Mujibur Rahman sitting on the stage. The colourful photos of that time can be seen at this exhibition," Nasrul said.

In celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Romania and Bangladesh and the 104th Independence Day of Romania, Cosmos Foundation hosted an exclusive exhibition in the capital on Monday night. The special exhibition was held at the Garden Gallery of the Baridhara residence of Enayetullah Khan, Honorary Consul of Romania in Bangladesh, Editor-in-Chief of UNB and Dhaka Courier, and Cosmos Foundation Chairman. Hosted by Enayetullah Khan and Daniela Sezonov Tane, Romanian Ambassador to India, Nepal and Bangladesh, the exhibition showcased seven unique artworks by visiting Romanian artist-sculptor Alexandru Poteca and ten paintings of renowned Bangladeshi artist Maksuda Iqbal Nipa. The event was joined by noted personalities and dignitaries including politicians, diplomats and business leaders. Regarding the event, Enayetullah Khan said, "This is a very important event for us, as we are celebrating 50 years of our friendship, our partnership with Romania — a great nation of artists, a great nation of painters — and also it is our pleasure to celebrate the country’s 104th anniversary of independence." Read more: 23rd Young Artists' Fine Arts Exhibition ends "Also, this month is emotionally important for us, because this is the month we achieved victory after long sufferings and sacrifices of the millions; and Romania was one of the first few countries in the world to recognise Bangladesh as a sovereign and independent country," he added.

Showcasing 125 majestic artworks of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, Gallery Chitrak organised an exclusive exhibition titled “Struggle” (Sangram) at Dhanmondi in the capital. Curated by Sumon Wahed, Assistant Professor at the Dhaka University Department of Fine Art, the exhibition is displaying artworks from the personal collections of the Zainul family, with around 80 artworks being displayed for the first time. The inaugural ceremony of the exhibition was held on Tuesday evening at Gallery Chitrak, which was inaugurated by eminent artist, art maestro and master painter Rafiqun Nabi. Summit Group Chairman Muhammed Aziz Khan joined the inauguration ceremony as the special guest, and the ceremony was presided over by popular thespian, former Cultural Affairs Minister and Awami League lawmaker Asaduzzaman Noor. Advisory committee members of the exhibition including Shilpacharya’s son Engineer Mainul Abedin, DU Faculty of Fine Art Dean Nisar Hossain and DU Department of Bangla Chairman Syed Azizul Huq joined the inauguration ceremony, alongside Gallery Chitrak Executive Director Md Muniruzzaman and other distinguished members from the country’s art sphere. “Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin was not only an artist and art educator; he was an institution himself. For the first time, Shilpacharya’s 125 majestic artworks from the personal collection of the Abedin family are being exhibited in this exclusive exhibition, and this is a great opportunity for the art admirers to explore the historic and influential artworks of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin,” Rafiqun Nabi said at the event.  Read more: Bashir Ahmed Sujan's solo panoramic photography exhibition begins at AFD

Over the years, The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor has gone to such luminaries as Richard Pryor, Carl Reiner, Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Crystal, George Carlin and Ellen DeGeneres. Next year, it's going to the guy who made us crack up as Happy Gilmour. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts said Tuesday that Adam Sandler would receive the prestigious award at a gala on March 19. Read more: Julia Louis-Dreyfus gets a top award for comedy “Adam Sandler has entertained audiences for over three decades with his films, music, and his tenure as a fan favorite cast member on ‘SNL,’” said Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter in a statement. “Adam has created characters that have made us laugh, cry, and cry from laughing." The 56-year-old actor-comedian, who this year starred in the well-received Netflix basketball drama-comedy “Hustle,” has created a list of funny films, like “Happy Gilmore,” “Billy Madison,” “Grown Ups,” “Big Daddy,” “The Longest Yard” and “The Waterboy.” His role as Howard Ratner in “Uncut Gems” garnered Sandler several nominations and awards, including winning the National Board of Review and the Independent Spirit Award.