United News of Bangladesh

Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) inaugurated the solo art exhibition 'Harmony' by artist Rubaiya Saom Dina at its Galerie Zoom on Friday evening. The opening ceremony was held at 6 pm, drawing art enthusiasts and cultural figures to witness Dina’s unique interpretation of riverine life in Bangladesh. The exhibition reflects rivers as an inseparable part of nature, culture, and human existence. Through her works, Dina reimagines the flow of rivers, the lives of people along their banks, and their struggles, joys, and hopes. At times portraying rivers as a source of life and at times as a symbol of death, the artist brings forth this duality with her lines and colors. Born in Faridpur on the banks of the Padma, Dina has drawn inspiration from the rhythm of rivers since childhood. Naturally, rivers and riverine life have become recurring themes in her artistic journey. Harmony features a wide range of works across mediums, including performance art, video art, oil and acrylic paintings, watercolors, ink, and line drawings. Each piece reflects the intimate connection between rivers and people, as well as the continuous dialogue of life in motion. Alongside her creative practice, Rubaiya Saom Dina is also an educator, teaching at Nalonda High School (Chhayanaut), Bangladesh Shishu Academy, and Shilparannya. The exhibition will remain open to all until September 23, from 3 pm to 9 pm, Monday to Saturday, with Sundays closed.  

Jenny Han's The Summer I Turned Pretty has become a hit with Indian audiences, thanks to its engaging plot, strong performances, and compelling writing. Recently, Karan Johar humorously compared the show to his film Student of the Year, recalling the rivalry between Varun Dhawan and Sidharth Malhotra after the film’s release. He shared a playful post on Instagram, writing, “Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah? It’s Team Rohan or Team Abhimanyu! #WeWereHereFirst #SummerShanayaTurnedPretty." While The Summer I Turned Pretty centers on two brothers competing for the same girl, Student of the Year also explores a love triangle between friends. The latest episode of The Summer I Turned Pretty (Season 3, Episode 10) was released this Wednesday, continuing the year-long journey of healing and longing. It shows Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah navigating their lives after a year, with Belly in Paris, Jeremiah rebuilding, and Conrad trying to reconnect with his loved ones. With the finale set to air on September 17, fans are eagerly speculating whether Belly will choose Conrad, Jeremiah, or focus on herself.   Source: NDTV

Actress Tamannaah Bhatia, promoting her new Amazon Prime Video show Do You Wanna Partner with co-star Diana Penty, opened up about her personal life and friendships. Tamannaah said she is currently focusing on becoming “a great life partner” and wants to be someone her future partner feels lucky to have. She added that despite trying, she could not convince her best friend Billy, a makeup artist, to go into business with her. The series follows two best friends starting a business together and navigating its ups and downs. Diana Penty said the show changed her view on working with friends, calling it “fun” since partners don’t need to explain everything to each other. Both actors highlighted the importance of friendships. Tamannaah shared how friends Pragya and Billy make time for her despite her busy schedule, while Diana described her ideal friendships as “low maintenance, chill, and non-dramatic.”   Source: NDTV

Coke Studio Bangla has released its fifth track of Season 3 titled 'Long Distance Love', premiered on Wednesday night across YouTube and all of its social platforms. The song has been performed by rising stars Ankan Kumar and Sheikh Mumtahina Mehzabin Afrin. Music for the track was composed by Shuvendu Das Shuvo, and the lyrics were jointly penned by Ankan and Canada-based Bangladeshi singer-songwriter Pragata Naoha. On its official YouTube channel, Coke Studio Bangla described the song as: “In a world where voices cross oceans in seconds and connection is only a click away, #LongDistanceLove still finds a way to test the heart. Silence lingers, words remain unsaid, and miles exist without measure." "This song captures that quiet void, the echo of waiting, the ache of being near yet apart. From the soulful composition of Shuvendu Das Shuvo and the heartfelt words of Ankan, it drifts through the spaces technology cannot fill, like unsent letters carried by the wind. It’s a reminder of the #RealMagic that survives beyond closeness and absence, the kind of love that lingers in whispers, memories, and stars too far to hold, yet too close to forget,” it stated. The music video, directed by Adnan Al Rajeev and produced by Runout Productions, was shot inside an abandoned gallery where contemporary dancers depict the struggles and resilience of love across distance. Season 3 of Coke Studio Bangla began on April 13, 2024, featuring 180 musicians and artistes. After releasing its third track 'Obak Bhalobasha' on May 25, the platform went on a yearlong break before returning on August 23 with 'Baaji', composed, directed and performed by noted musician Emon Chowdhury alongside singer-songwriter Hashim Mahmud, the original creator of the song. Launched in 2022, Coke Studio Bangla has already gifted audiences a number of widely appreciated songs before the start of its third season.

Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) has inaugurated the exhibition 'A Drawing Room' by emerging artist Hridita Anisha on Tuesday at its La Galerie, Dhanmondi in the capital. The exhibition offers visitors a whimsical and emotive journey into drawings and illustrations infused with nostalgia and imagination. Through this showcase, Anisha evokes the landscapes of her childhood — where cats, fishes, and fantastical creatures roamed freely — transforming the gallery into a living, breathing space of creativity. What sets 'A Drawing Room' apart is its participatory nature. Throughout the exhibition, Anisha will be present daily, drawing directly onto the gallery walls while inviting both children and adults to contribute their own lines and symbols.  Visitors are encouraged to join in by sketching simple elements such as the sun, birds, huts, cats or fishes, making the exhibition an evolving and collaborative display.

A special musical evening featuring a guitar orchestra (Orchestra Kithara) along with instrumental and vocal performances was held on Monday at the auditorium of the Goethe-Institut Bangladesh in the capital’s Dhanmondi. Organised in collaboration with the Spanish Guitar (Afternoon) Center of the Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts (BAFA), Waizghat, Dhaka, the event was supported by the Goethe-Institut Bangladesh. The 70-minute programme was conducted by Ashraf Mahmud Uzzal, who led a repertoire blending Western and South Asian traditions. A total of 28 guitarists performed celebrated local and international pieces, captivating the audience with their artistry. Founded in 1955, BAFA is one of the country’s leading fine arts institutions, offering instruction and research in music, dance, painting and other art forms. Over the decades, the academy has nurtured generations of singers, musicians and dancers, while also representing Bangladesh abroad through cultural delegations. The institution continues to play a vital role in major national and cultural events, including Martyrs' Day, Independence Day, Pahela Baishakh and the birth anniversaries of eminent figures, inspiring future generations to embrace both South Asian and Western artistic traditions.

Rick Davies, co-founder, singer and songwriter of the British rock band Supertramp, has died at the age of 81 after a long battle with cancer, the band announced Monday. Davies, who co-wrote many of the band’s biggest hits with Roger Hodgson, died Saturday from multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer he had fought for more than a decade. Supertramp, founded in 1969, produced classics including “The Logical Song,” “Goodbye Stranger,” “Take the Long Way Home,” and “Give a Little Bit.” Their 1979 album “Breakfast in America” sold over 18 million copies, topped charts in the US and Canada, and won two Grammys. The band described Davies as the “voice and pianist behind Supertramp’s most iconic songs” whose soulful vocals and signature Wurlitzer sound shaped their music. Born in Swindon, England in 1944, Davies revived Supertramp in 1996 after it disbanded in 1988, with the group performing for the last time in Madrid in 2012.

Arijit Singh once again captivated audiences with his soulful performance, but his recent concert in London ended unexpectedly when venue authorities cut the power mid-performance due to a curfew violation. A touching rendition of Saiyaara — originally sung by Faheem Abdullah — was interrupted, sparking a buzz online. Videos circulating on social media show Arijit emotionally singing Saiyaara while fans sang along, creating a heartfelt moment. However, once the clock passed the 10:30 PM curfew, the stadium staff allegedly shut off the power, preventing Arijit from finishing the performance or saying goodbye to his audience. An Instagram post by @thewhatup shared the viral video, stating, “London stadium allegedly cut power at Arijit Singh's show without letting him say goodbye or finish the song due to curfew time of 10:30 PM. Meanwhile, the video of him singing Saiyaara at the concert is trending.” The incident sparked mixed reactions online. While many fans expressed disappointment over the abrupt ending, others supported the move, citing the UK’s strict enforcement of noise regulations. This dramatic end comes on the heels of Arijit Singh’s recent global milestones. In July, he surpassed Taylor Swift to become the most-followed artist on Spotify. Just a month earlier, he collaborated with Ed Sheeran on the hit song Sapphire, which also featured a cameo by Shah Rukh Khan and quickly went viral. Source: NDTV      

The Ministry of Cultural Affairs, in association with Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), honoured legendary singer Sabina Yasmin with a special recognition on Sunday evening at the National Theatre Hall of the Academy, followed by her solo musical performance. Anchored by noted actor Afzal Hossain, the programme, titled 'Shudhu Gaan Geye Porichoy', began with a one-minute silence in memory of recently deceased writer and researcher Badruddin Umar. A documentary featuring reflections on Yasmin from Syed Abdul Hadi, Naquib Khan, Richard Kishore, Partha Barua, Chandan Dutta, Maksud Jamil Mintu, Habib Wahid, Asifur Rahman Agun, Zahid Nirob, Foad Nasser Babu and Sunil Chandra, was then screened; followed by a dance performance by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy artistes on the song 'Gitimoy Sei Din Chirodin Bujhi Ar Elo Na'. Welcoming the audience, Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki said, “If anyone wants to dominate, they first deny your history and then your culture - that is always the first step of an invasion; but in today’s Bangladesh, we want to address both. Tonight, we celebrate one of our greatest cultural treasures, Sabina Yasmin — not only through her music, but also with recognition from the state.” Farooki added, “This honour was planned from the Cultural Affairs Ministry; but yesterday evening, when I asked our Chief Adviser if this recognition could be given from his office, he immediately said he would be humbled to do that.” On behalf of the government, Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud handed over the honour to Yasmin, saying, “She is truly our pride and legend. I still remember, as a young university student in the late 1960s, Sabina Yasmin was already a source of glory for us at the dawn of Bangla cinema and music.” Among the distinguished guests were Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid, Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Mofidur Rahman, and BSA Secretary and acting Director General Mohammad Wares Hossain. Tributes followed as singers and artistes reminisced about Sabina Yasmin. Veteran singer Khurshid Alam said, “Sabina Apa’s songs enriched Bangla music immensely. Thanks to her musically inclined family, we got such a treasure." "I thank the Ministry and Shilpakala Academy for honouring her in her lifetime, though I regret they didn’t even have my address when inviting me, which is unfortunate,” Khurshid Alam said at the event.

Netflix’s Wednesday Season 2 Part 2 premiered this week, bringing more mystery, darker visuals, and intense drama at Nevermore Academy. Amid the suspense, a fan-made crossover edit of Wednesday and the 2007 Bollywood hit Om Shanti Om went viral. The mashup pairs the dark Dastaan-E-Om Shanti song with Wednesday’s moody atmosphere. In the video, Wednesday Addams walks through the academy, evoking Shantipriya’s haunting presence. Bianca Barclay is then held hostage by Barry Dort, only for Ajax Petropolus to use his gorgon powers to turn Dort to stone. A chandelier crashes onto the statue, echoing the villain’s fate in Om Shanti Om. Fans loved the crossover. One wrote, “Even the jhoomar was so accurate,” while another said, “I swear I was thinking the same while watching this!” Others praised Wednesday’s resemblance to Shantipriya in her black dress. Wednesday Season 2 is split into two parts, each with four episodes. Part 1 premiered on August 6, 2025, and Part 2 on September 3. The series follows Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) at Nevermore Academy as she solves supernatural mysteries, struggles with her psychic powers, and faces new family and academy challenges, including Enid Sinclair’s werewolf transformation and Lady Gaga’s ghostly Professor Rosaline Rotwood.   Source: NDTV