United News of Bangladesh

Marking the 134th death anniversary of Bangladesh’s most revered philosophical figures and mystic poet Fakir Lalon Shah on October 17, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) is all set to host a three-day festival, starting from Thursday. A press conference detailing the event was held on Wednesday at 3 pm in the National Theatre Hall seminar room at BSA, where the academy briefed journalists about the festival. Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Dr Syed Jamil Ahmed, Secretary Salahuddin Ahmed, newly appointed directors and officers of various departments of the academy joined the press conference, where it was announced that the inauguration of the festival will be held tomorrow at 6 pm at the National Theater Hall Auditorium. BSA gets six new departmental directors Sharmin Murshid, Adviser to the Ministry of Social Welfare and Women and Child Affairs, will inaugurate the first day's program titled 'Ashasindhu Teerey', which will be chaired by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Director General Syed Jamil Ahmed. BSA Fine Arts Director Mustafa Zaman will deliver the welcome speech, while artists Arup Rahi and Zahura Fakirani will share songs and thoughts, influenced by Lalon's ideology. The second day (Friday, October 18) will feature the Sadhumela "Manush Bhojle Shonar Manush Hobi" at the academy's Nandan Mancha at 6 pm. Dr Syed Jamil Ahmed will chair the event, while Mehjabeen Rahman, Director of BSA's Music, Dance, and Recitation Department, will deliver the welcoming remarks. Saturday, October 19, will be the festival's third day, featuring a two-part event. The first session will begin at 4 pm in the National Theatre Hall's seminar room with a discussion titled "Jatisottar Prosno Ebong Baul-Fakir Poribeshonar Rajniti" (The Question of National Identity and the Politics of Baul-Fakir Performance), and the keynote presentation will be presented by Rajshahi University professor and researcher Dr A Al Mamun. BSA hosts art, music, dance and film appreciation courses The event will be presided over by Dr Syed Jamil Ahmed, and the welcoming address will be delivered by Abdul Halim Chanchal, Director of BSA's Production Department, while the discussion will be joined by notable speakers including Dr Mohammad Azam, Director General of Bangla Academy; journalist-writer and Director General of the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) Faruk Wasif, and Dr Shahman Moishan, dramatist and associate professor at Dhaka University. The second part of the ceremony will start at 7 pm at the National Theatre Hall auditorium featuring a special Lalon memorial seminar titled ‘Dhoro Manush Rup Nehare’. Dr Asif Nazrul, Adviser to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, will deliver the keynote speech at the event, while BSA Production Department Director Abdul Halim Chanchal will deliver the welcoming address. Dr Syed Jamil Ahmed will preside over the seminar, which will also be joined by journalist-fiction writer and newly appointed Managing Director and Chief Editor of the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Mahbub Morshed as a discussant. The event will also feature enthralling cultural performances by renowned artists. Detailing the three-day event, BSA Director General Dr Jamil said that the cost of the three-day event will be displayed on the academy website. He requested the cooperation of journalists in promoting the festival. Besides, the Director General highlighted the implementation of three goals in Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy - bringing back administrative transparency, financial transparency and efficiency. BSA welcomes Falgun in style, bids farewell to the Pitha Ustab  The three-day Lalon Festival will be open to general visitors at the venue based on immediate registration. Dr Jamil also hoped that through this festival, the cultural stagnation in the capital would be reduced and Lalon's non-communal philosophy would spread among all, including the young generation.

Amazon Prime Video, a great global OTT platform, elevates entertainment with its signature blend of captivating and diverse storytelling. Like every month, the November 2024 lineup of Amazon Prime brings a fresh mix of romance, thriller, comedy, and adventure genres. Insightful documentaries and humorous shows pair with an array of exclusive shows and films, adding to the excitement. Let’s dive into this month's must-watch releases. 10 Must-see Amazon Prime Originals Premiering This November Freedom | Romantic Thriller | November 1, 2024 Written by Christophe Deslandes and Melanie Laurent, this French movie thrives under the direction of Melanie Laurent. Produced by Alain Goldman, the thriller movie is inspired by the real-life saga of a notorious French gangster who ruled the underworld in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The story centers on Bruno Sulak, a charismatic criminal reminiscent of Arsène Lupin, known for orchestrating audacious heists without ever firing a shot. The strong cast is completed by Lucas Bravo, Lea Luce Busato, Yvan Attal, Radivoje Bukvic, Steve Tientcheu, David Murgia, Leo Chalie, and Slimane Dazi. Read more: Netflix’s October 2024 Korean Releases: Films, Series, and Shows Citadel (Honey Bunny) | Spy-Action Thriller | November 7, 2024 A spin-off to Citadel, another Prime original, this TV series was created by Raj & DK, who co-wrote and directed it with Sita Menon. This Hindi action series is an Indian version of the globally acclaimed drama about the clashes between international spies. Starring Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Varun Dhawan as the title characters, the spy series features a supporting cast that includes Emma Canning, Simran Bagga, and Kay Kay Menon. The production credit goes to Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Mike Larocca, Angela Russo-Otstot, Scott Nemes, David Weil, and Raj & DK. Read more: Amazon Prime Originals Releasing in October 2024: Films, Series, and Reality Shows Every Minute Counts | Disaster Drama | November 8, 2024 Based on a catastrophic earthquake in 1985 in Mexico City, this disaster film excels with Jorge Michel Grau as the showrunner, director, and screenwriter. Moises Urquidi and Fernando Urdapilleta accompanied Grau in the direction. Victoria Orvananos, Alfredo Felix-Diaz, Natalia Quevedo, Venancio Villalobos, and Alejandro Valenzuela contributed to the screenplay along with Grau. The plot intertwines the lives of a doctor with a hidden past, a fame-seeking journalist, and a troubled family. All of them risk everything in rescue missions that offer them a chance at redemption. Traziende Films production shapes the film starring Osvaldo Benavides, Jesus Zavala, Maya Zapata, Oswaldo Rada, Jorge Leon, Antonio de la Vega, and Enrique Arreola. German Cocaine Cowboy | True Crime | November 10, 2024 This four-part documentary series chronicles Hamburg gangster Joe Marx’s rise to power within the infamous Cali cartel during the 1990s. Read more: October 2024 Bollywood Release Lineup: Top 10 Hindi Movies to Watch The German mini-series flourishes with Georg Tschurtschenthaler and Christian Beetz as its producers with Tschurtschenthaler as its showrunner. Besides writing the screenplay with Ina Kessebohm, Peter Dorfler directed the crime series. The cast includes Philipp Boos, Claude Albert Heinrich, Niklas Bruhn, Carmen Molinar, and Anne Roemeth. Cross | Crime Thriller | November 14, 2024 Based on James Patterson’s novel series ‘Alex Cross’, this thriller series boasts Ben Watkins as the creator and showrunner. The crime series follows Alex Cross, a detective and forensic psychologist, as well as a devoted father. He relentlessly pursues both killers and victims which drives him to unearth hidden truths and bring justice to those affected. Read more: Must-watch South Indian Films Releasing in October 2024 ‘Cross’ stars Aldis Hodge, Juanita Jennings, and Isaiah Mustafa, supported by Sharon Taylor, Ryan Eggold, Alona Tal, and Eloise Mumford. Aldis Hodge and Chris Agoston jointly produced this crime series.

Acclaimed Indian filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali recently opened up about his first encounter with Bollywood star Deepika Padukone, sharing his admiration for the actress's beauty and voice. Bhansali, known for his opulent and artistic films, expressed that he was left stunned by Padukone's presence during their initial meeting. The celebrated director shared his thoughts in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. Recounting the moment, he said, “When I met Deepika for the first time at her house, she opened the door, and I was frozen by the beauty of the woman, by her eyes. I realised that there was so much subtlety, so much fragility, and so much beauty. She started talking, and I was equally struck by her beautiful voice.” India’s ‘Laapataa Ladies’ Sets Sights on Oscar for Best International Feature Film Bhansali added, “At that moment, I felt like I was in the right place at the right time. I knew this girl would be moulded, would be taken somewhere. It’s an instinctive feeling—your soul has to connect to their soul.” This profound connection between the filmmaker and the actress led to a fruitful professional relationship. The two first collaborated on the 2013 blockbuster Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, which also starred Ranveer Singh, Richa Chadha, and Sharad Kelkar in pivotal roles. Since then, Bhansali and Padukone have worked together on several critically acclaimed projects, including Bajirao Mastani and Padmaavat, cementing their status as one of the most iconic director-actor duos in the industry. Deepika Padukone, who has consistently been praised for her performances in Bhansali's films, will next be seen in Singham Again, directed by Rohit Shetty and featuring Ajay Devgn in the lead role. September 2024 Amazon Prime Originals List: Exclusive Shows, Films, and Series The film is scheduled for release this Diwali, adding yet another anticipated title to Padukone’s illustrious career. Bhansali's recollection of his first meeting with Padukone offers a glimpse into the mutual respect and admiration that has defined their professional relationship, making their collaborations all the more impactful and memorable for audiences.

Ratan Tata, the revered industrialist and philanthropist, passed away at Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital on Wednesday night at the age of 86, following a prolonged illness. Tata’s death marks the end of an era for Indian business, given his far-reaching impact on the industry and society at large. Despite his towering stature in the corporate world, Tata chose to remain a bachelor throughout his life. Although he was honoured with numerous accolades, including the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award, he never married, a decision influenced by circumstances and timing rather than preference. In a candid interview on the iconic talk show Rendezvous With Simi Garewal, Tata revealed that he had come close to marriage on multiple occasions. Indian industrial Icon Ratan Tata passes away Reflecting on his life, he admitted that he had fallen in love four times but none of these relationships culminated in marriage. The reason, he shared, was often his overwhelming professional commitments, which took precedence over his personal life. While he sometimes felt lonely, he also appreciated the freedom that came with being single. Interestingly, Tata was also in a relationship with Simi Garewal herself, a fact that she acknowledged in a 2011 interview. Their relationship, however, did not lead to marriage. In a conversation with Humans of Bombay, Tata reminisced about his first love, which blossomed while he was living in Los Angeles. He recalled how he came very close to tying the knot, but fate intervened when he had to return to India to visit his ailing grandmother, whom he hadn’t seen in nearly seven years. Although he hoped his partner would eventually join him in India, the turbulent geopolitical climate at the time—exacerbated by the 1962 Indo-China war—led her parents to dissuade her from moving, putting an end to their relationship. Ratan Tata’s mortal remains will be laid at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Nariman Point, Mumbai, on Thursday, where the public can pay their respects. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced that Tata will be accorded a state funeral in honour of his monumental contributions to the nation.

Netflix continues to set the bar for streaming entertainment, offering a dynamic blend of genres that keep audiences hooked. From heartwarming romance to gripping thrillers, fantasy adventures, and laugh-out-loud comedies, November 2024's lineup promises something for every viewer. With the return of fan-favorite series and the debut of captivating new films, this month's Netflix originals are packed with star power, unexpected twists, and compelling storytelling. Here are the 10 English-language Netflix originals leading the watchlist in November 2024. Netflix’s Top 10 English-Language Offerings for this November Meet Me Next Christmas | Romantic-Comedy | November 6, 2024 Produced by Mark Roberts under the banner of Roberts Media, this Christmas movie boasts Rusty Cundieff as the director. Written by Camilla Rubis and Molly Haldeman, the storyline follows a woman in New York City during Christmas, desperate to attend a sold-out concert on Christmas Eve. Christina Milian takes center stage in the romantic movie featuring a supporting cast including Devale Ellis, Kofi Siriboe, and Kalen Allen. The additional cast includes the music group Pentatonix with its vocalists Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying, Kirstin Maldonado, Kevin Olusola, and Matt Sallee. Read more: Amazon Prime Originals Releasing in October 2024: Films, Series, and Reality Shows Outer Banks: Season 4 (Part 2) | Teen Adventure | November 7, 2024 Set in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, this TV series is brought to fruition by creators and executive producers Shannon Burke, Josh Pate, and Jonas Pate. This adventure series explores the rivalry between two groups of teenagers as they embark on a quest for a legendary lost treasure. This season uncovers the mysteries surrounding Big John’s disappearance. The next chapter begins as the Pogues escape the deserted island, only to find themselves entangled in an even more dangerous pursuit of El Dorado. Chase Stokes, Carlacia Grant, Madelyn Cline, Rudy Pankow, Madison Bailey, Jonathan Daviss, Austin North, and Drew Starkey are ready to revive their beloved roles from previous seasons. The fresh addition to the cast will be J. Anthony Crane, Pollyanna McIntosh, Brianna Brown, Mia Challis, and Rigo Sanchez. Read more: October 2024 Bollywood Release Lineup: Top 10 Hindi Movies to Watch Hot Frosty | Romantic-Comedy | November 13, 2024 Directed by Jerry Ciccoritti, this fantasy film highlights the creative writing of Russell Hainline. This comedy movie stars Lacey Chabert, Katy Mixon, Dustin Milligan, Lauren Holly, Craig Robinson, Chrishell Stause, and Joe Lo Truglio in key roles. The plot centers on a widow who, in her battle against loneliness, brings a magical snowman to life. As their bond deepens in the days leading up to the holidays, the specter of his inevitable melting looms over their enchanting friendship. The rom-com makes its way to the OTT (Over-The-Top) courtesy of producers Joel S. Rice and Michael Barbuto. Sprint: Season 2 | Sports Docuseries | November 13, 2024 Created by World Athletics and bankrolled by Box to Box Films, this documentary series has James Gay-Rees and Paul Martin as its executive producers. Read more: Must-watch South Indian Films Releasing in October 2024 The second season features Noah Lyles, Gabby Thomas, Fred Kerley, Julien Alfred, Kishane Thompson, Letsile Tebogo, Twanisha Terry, Melissa Jefferson, Marcell Jacobs, Shericka Jackson, Oblique Seville, and Kenny Bednarek. They compete at the highest level of their sport at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where only the elite rise to the occasion. The latest edition of the docuseries delves into the grit required to achieve personal bests on the world stage and return to relentless training in pursuit of continued dominance on the track. Cobra Kai: Season 6 (Part 2) | Martial Arts | November 15, 2024 As a direct sequel to the original Karate Kid films, this series reunites Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence over 30 years later in a modern-day setting. In this chapter of the sixth and final season, long-awaited revelations and unexpected twists will come to light. With Cobra Kai defeated in the Valley, senseis and students face the pivotal choice of whether and how they will enter the Sekai Taikai, the prestigious world karate championships. Meanwhile, John Kreese, the ruthless founder of Cobra Kai, is back in action after faking his death and escaping prison. Read more: Netflix English Originals Coming in October 2024: 10 Most-hyped Releases The action drama series stars Ralph Macchio and William Zabka in the lead roles. The supporting roles are played by Martin Kove, Courtney Henggeler, Xolo Mariduena, Tanner Buchanan, Mary Mouser, Peyton List, Jacob Bertrand, Dallas Dupree Young, and Vanessa Rubio. The martial arts movie thrives with the creators Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg. The executive production team includes Schlossberg, along with Will Smith, James Lassiter, Caleeb Pinkett, Susan Ekins, and actors William Zabka and Ralph Macchio.

Bangladesh has officially selected award-winning 'Boli' (The Wrestler) to compete in the 'Best International Feature Film Category' at the 97th Oscars. Boli is the first Bangladeshi film that has achieved prestigious accolade at the Busan International Film Festival last year.  The film, directed by Iqbal Hossain Chowdhury, was unanimously selected on October 1 by the seven-member Oscar Bangladesh Committee led by eminent director Matin Rahman, to represent Bangladesh under the 'Best International Feature Film' category at the 97th Oscars, scheduled to be held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States in March next year. Produced by Piplu R Khan, Saiful Azim and Gausul Alam Shaon, the National Film Award winning actor Nasir Uddin Khan-starrer film is made as a homage to the traditional 'Boli game of Jobbar' ('Jobbar er Boli Khela') in Chottagram, a local wrestling game and a long-standing cultural tradition in the country. Featuring a group of exceptionally talented stage artistes from Chottagram and Dhaka including AKM Itmam, Priyam Archi, Angel Noor, Tahadil Ahmed and more, the story of 'Boli' revolves around an elderly, rugged fisherman from a remote coastal village of Banshkhali in Chattogram, played by Nasir, who challenges a Boli (local wrestling champion) to a match as he looks to reestablish his position in the society. Production of the film took place in the coastal areas of Chattogram during April and May of 2022. Chhayanaut commemorates Rabindranath Tagore with cultural tribute A recipient of the Bangladesh Government’s film grant for the fiscal year 2020-21, 'Boli' jointly received the best award under the 'New Currents' category at the 28th Busan International Film Festival, South Korea last year, which is considered the largest and most influential film festival in Asia and one of the top prestigious festivals in the world. It has also been screened at this year's Shanghai International Film Festival in China. Interestingly, 'Boli' has yet to be released in the country's theaters, but it qualifies for the Oscars under a newly added clause introduced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which has updated the eligibility criteria for Best Picture and international submissions. Films can now be submitted as the Oscars even if they have not had a theatrical distribution in their home country, as long as they meet specific criteria for the worldwide screenings. The film recently had its theatrical release in Canada.

Besides their compelling storytelling and emotional depth, Korean content further impress with their striking visual effects. Heartwarming dramas, high-end action and horror shows are gradually making their way onto the binge lists of streaming platforms worldwide. The popular global OTT platform Netflix has brought this cultural phenomenon to international audiences. Let’s have a look at Korean releases that Netflix is set to premiere in October 2024 to keep viewers engaged. Netflix’s Korean Lineup Streaming This October Love Next Door / Romantic Drama / October 6, 2024 Written by Shin Ha-Eun, this South Korean television series boasts Yoo Je-Won as the director. The romantic series features Jung Hae-In, Jung So-Min, Kim Ji-Eun, and Yoon Ji-On in the lead roles, and Roh Yoon-Seo in a special appearance. The supporting cast includes Jo Han-Chul, Park Ji-Young, Jang Young-Nam, Lee Seung-Joon, Jeon Seok-Ho, Lee Seung-Hyun, Seo Ji-Hye, and Han Joon-Woo. Also known as ‘My Mom's Friend's Son’, this series tells the story of a woman who seems to have a dream job at one of the world’s top companies and an engagement with an international lawyer. However, she unexpectedly returns to Korea, reconnecting with her childhood best friend, her mom's friend’s son, now a renowned architect. Read more: Amazon Prime Originals Releasing in October 2024: Films, Series, and Reality Shows The production is spearheaded by Jang Kyung-Ik, Yoo Sang-Won, Jo Moon-Joo, Kim Nu-Ri, and Lee Sang-Hee, while Lee Young-Ok and Han So-Jin serve as executive producers. Uprising / Historical War / October 11, 2024 Produced by Park Chan-Wook, this action film excels with Kim Sang-man as its director, and Shin Cheol and Park Chan-Wook as the writers. The war drama stars Park Jeong-Min, Gang Dong-won, Kim Shin-Rok, Cha Seung-Won, Jin Seon-Kyu, and Jung Sung-Il. This thriller follows the lives of two childhood friends-turned-enemies during the Japanese invasions of Korea, set in the Joseon era. Cheon Yeong, a slave with extraordinary martial skills, fights to escape the chains of injustice. Meanwhile, Jong-Ryeo, his former master, resurfaces as a rival amidst the chaos, serving as King Seonjo’s top military officer, while Cheon Yeong joins as a volunteer soldier. Read more: October 2024 Bollywood Release Lineup: Top 10 Hindi Movies to Watch A Virtuous Business / Business Comedy / October 12, 2024 Remade from the 2016 UK series ‘Brief Encounters,’ this comedy-drama flourishes under the careful direction of Jo Woong and the sharp writing of Choi Bo-Rim. Set against the backdrop of a rural village in 1992, the story explores the lives of four women who start an adult products business, embarking on a unique journey of self-discovery. The comedy series stars Kim So-Yeon, Kim Sun-Young, Lee Se-Hee, Yeon Woo-Jin, and Kim Sung-Ryoung in pivotal roles. Im Chul-Soo, Kim Won-Hae, and Kang Ae-Shim round up the additional cast. Comedy Revenge / Reality Show / October 15, 2024 Created by Kwon Hae-Bom, Park Hyun-Seok, and Kim Seok-Hyun, this TV series stars veteran comedian Lee Kyung-kyu, known for his triumph in ‘Comedy Royale’. Leading a cast of 18 comedy powerhouses, Lee Kyung-kyu oversees a fierce battle of wits and hilarity. Read more: Must-watch South Indian Films Releasing in October 2024 The stand-up comedy show features popular celebrities including Moon Se-Yoon, Park Na-Rae, Lee Chang-ho, Eom Ji-yoon, Jo Hoon, and Kwak Beom. Hellbound: Season 2 / Dark Fantasy / October 25, 2024 Directed by Yeon Sang-Ho and based on his webtoon, this horror series thrives with Choi Gyu-Seok as writer-illustrator, while Kim Yeon-Ho handles the production. In this supernatural series, unearthly beings deliver brutal condemnations, sending people to Hell and fueling the rise of a religious group rooted in divine justice. In Season 2, religious factions- Sodo leader Hyejin, the New Truth, and the Arrowheads- must confront the shocking resurrections of those previously condemned. Yoo Ah-In from Season 1 is replaced by Kim Sung-Cheol in Season 2. Kim Hyun-Joo, Lee Re, Yang Ik-June, Kim Shin-Rok, and Lee Dong-Hee reprise their roles in Season 1. New cast members are Moon So-Ri, Cho Dong-In, Yang Dong-Geun, Hong Eui-Joon, Moon Geun-Young, and Lim Sung-Jae. Read more: October 2024 Video Games: Exciting Virtual Games Scheduled for Launch Summing Up Netflix’s October 2024 Korean releases bring a magnificent blend of action, horror, romance, and comedy. ‘Uprising’ delivers a gripping historical war saga, while ‘Hellbound’ plunges into the depths of chilling horror. ‘Love Next Door’, ‘Comedy Revenge’, and ‘A Virtuous Business’ expertly blend humor with romance, game show excitement, and dramatic tension respectively. With such a diverse lineup, it's set to be a fantastic month for fans of Netflix and Korean entertainment. Read more: Netflix English Originals Coming in October 2024: 10 Most-hyped Releases 

In commemoration of the 83rd death anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, the first non-European and Bengali poet to win the Nobel Prize for literature and widely revered as the 'World's Poet', Chhayanaut recently organized a cultural event. The tribute program was held on Friday at the Chhayanaut Auditorium in the capital’s Dhanmondi. Chhayanaut commemorated Rabindranath Tagore through performances of several artists, in two recitals and 15 solo and ensemble songs. The program began with the performance of the ensemble song 'Shrabon Dharar Moto Poruk Jhore', followed by a solo performance. The solo musical performances included, 'Bhoy Hote Tobo Obhay Majhe' by Maksura Akhtar Antara, 'Aponi Obosh Holi' by ATM Jahangir, 'Badhon Chherar Sadhon Hobe' by Satyam Kumar Debnath, 'Tor Apan Jone Chharbe Tore' by Irin Pervin Onna, ‘Tobu Pari Ne’ by Ashim Dutta, 'Ami Marer Sagor Pari Debo’ by Tania Mannan and 'Nishi-Din Bhorosha Rakhis' by Avijit Das, among other performances. Amid the songs, Sumona Biswas presented a solo reading titled ‘Shottyer Ahoban’ and Jayanta Roy presented a solo recitation from Tagore’s ‘Shishuteertho’. The event concluded with two ensemble songs, followed by the all-unit presentation of the National Anthem. Tagore died at the age of 80 on August 7, 1941; however, his death anniversary is traditionally observed on the 22 Srabon according to the Bengali calendar. Since his death, the day has always been observed with extensive programs in a befitting manner as a tradition in both Bangladesh and India.  Since its birth, the activities of Chhayanaut have been expanded mainly by adopting the nationalist thoughts and creations of Rabindranath and National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. At present Chhayanaut organizes a two-day ‘Rabindra-Utsab’ on Rabindranath Tagore's birth anniversary on 25 Baishakh and a one-day commemoration ceremony with songs and readings on 22 Shrabon death anniversary. Cultural organizations observe the day with various events every year; however, this time, due to the political situation, Chhayanaut delayed organizing the event this year. The institute also commemorated National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam’s 48th death anniversary on September 20. Both events were open to all and telecasted on Chhayanaut's official Facebook page.

Maggie Smith, the masterful, scene-stealing actor who won an Oscar for the 1969 film “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” and gained new fans in the 21st century as the dowager Countess of Grantham in “ Downton Abbey” and Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films, died Friday. She was 89. Smith’s sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, said in a statement that Smith died early Friday in a London hospital. “She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother,” they said in a statement issued through publicist Clair Dobbs. Smith was frequently rated the preeminent British female performer of a generation that included Vanessa Redgrave and Judi Dench, with two Oscars, a clutch of Academy Award nominations and a shelf full of acting trophies. She made her film debut in the 1950s, won Oscars for work in the 60s and 70s and had memorable roles in each subsequent decade, including an older Wendy in Peter Pan story “Hook” (1991) and a mother superior of a convent in Whoopi Goldberg’s comedy “Sister Act” (1992). A commanding stage actor, she played Shakespearean tragedy — 1965 adaptation “Othello” — and voiced Shakespeare-inspired animation in “Gnomeo & Juliet” (2011). She remained in demand even in her later years, despite her lament that “when you get into the granny era, you’re lucky to get anything.” Smith drily summarized her later roles as “a gallery of grotesques,” including Professor McGonagall. Asked why she took the role, she quipped: “Harry Potter is my pension.” Richard Eyre, who directed Smith in a television production of “Suddenly, Last Summer,” said she was “intellectually the smartest actress I’ve ever worked with. You have to get up very, very early in the morning to outwit Maggie Smith.” “Jean Brodie,” in which she played a dangerously charismatic Edinburgh schoolteacher, brought her the Academy Award for best actress, and the British Academy Film Award (BAFTA) as well. Smith added a supporting actress Oscar for “California Suite” in 1978, Golden Globes for “California Suite” and “A Room with a View,” and BAFTAs for lead actress in “A Private Function” in 1984, “A Room with a View” in 1986 and “The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne” in 1988. She also received Academy Award nominations as a supporting actress in “Othello,” “Travels with My Aunt,” “A Room with a View” and “Gosford Park,” and a BAFTA award for supporting actress in “Tea with Mussolini.” On stage, she won a Tony in 1990 for “Lettice and Lovage.” From 2010, she was the acid-tongued Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, in hit TV period drama “ Downton Abbey,” a role that won her legions of fans, three Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe and a host of other awards nominations. But she chafed at television fame. When the show’s run ended in 2016, Smith said she was relieved. “It’s freedom,” she told The Associated Press. “Not until ‘Downton Abbey’ was I well-known or stopped in the street and asked for one of those terrible photographs,” she said. She continued acting well into her 80s, in films including the big-screen spinoff to “Downton Abbey” in 2019, its 2022 sequel “Downton Abbey: A New Era” and 2023 release “The Miracle Club.” Smith had a reputation for being difficult, and sometimes upstaging others. Richard Burton remarked that Smith didn’t just take over a scene in “The VIPs” with him: “She commits grand larceny.” However, the director Peter Hall found that Smith wasn’t “remotely difficult unless she’s among idiots. She’s very hard on herself, and I don’t think she sees any reason why she shouldn’t be hard on other people, too.” Smith conceded that she could be impatient at times. “It’s true I don’t tolerate fools, but then they don’t tolerate me, so I am spiky,” Smith said. “Maybe that’s why I’m quite good at playing spiky elderly ladies.” Critic Frank Rich, in a New York Times review of “Lettice and Lovage,” praised Smith as “the stylized classicist who can italicize a line as prosaic as ‘Have you no marmalade?’ until it sounds like a freshly minted epigram by Coward or Wilde.” Smith famously drew laughs from a prosaic line — “This haddock is disgusting” — in a 1964 revival of Noel Coward’s “Hay Fever.” She repeated the gift for one-liners in “Downton Abbey,” when the tradition-bound Violet witheringly asked, “What is a weekend?” King Charles III and his wife Queen Camilla paid tribute to Smith, who was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire, the equivalent of a knight, by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1990. “As the curtain comes down on a national treasure, we join all those around the world in remembering with the fondest admiration and affection her many great performances, and her warmth and wit that shone through both off and on the stage,” they said in a statement. Fellow actors paid tribute to her on Friday. Hugh Bonneville, who played the son of Smith’s character in “Downton Abbey,” said “anyone who ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her sharp eye, sharp wit and formidable talent.” “She was a true legend of her generation and thankfully will live on in so many magnificent screen performances,” he said in a statement. Rob Lowe, who co-starred with her in “Suddenly, Last Summer,” said the experience was “unforgettable ... sharing a two-shot was like being paired with a lion.” “She could eat anyone alive, and often did. But funny, and great company. And suffered no fools. We will never see another. God speed, Ms. Smith!” Lowe wrote on X. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Smith “a true national treasure whose work will be cherished for generations to come.” Margaret Natalie Smith was born in Ilford, on the eastern edge of London, on Dec. 28, 1934. She summed up her life briefly: “One went to school, one wanted to act, one started to act, one’s still acting.” Her father was assigned in 1939 to wartime duty in Oxford, where her theater studies at the Oxford Playhouse School led to a busy apprenticeship. “I did so many things, you know, round the universities there. ... If you were kind of clever enough and I suppose quick enough, you could almost do weekly rep because all the colleges were doing different productions at different times,” she said in a BBC interview. She took Maggie as her stage name because another Margaret Smith was active in the theater. Laurence Olivier spotted her talent, invited her to be part of his original National Theatre company and cast her as his co-star in a 1965 film adaptation of “Othello.” Smith said two directors, Ingmar Bergman and William Gaskill, both in National Theatre productions, were important influences. Alan Bennett, preparing to film the monologue “A Bed Among the Lentils,” said he was wary of Smith’s reputation for becoming bored. As the actor Jeremy Brett put it, “she starts divinely and then goes off, rather like a cheese.” “So the fact that we only just had enough time to do it was an absolute blessing really because she was so fresh and just so into it,” said Bennett. He also wrote a starring role for Smith in “The Lady in the Van,” as Miss Shepherd, a redoubtable woman who lived for years in her vehicle on Bennett’s London driveway. However extravagant she may have been on stage or before the cameras, Smith was known to be intensely private. “She never wanted to talk about acting. Acting was something she was terrified to talk about because if she did, it would disappear,” said Simon Callow, who performed with her in “A Room with a View.” Smith married fellow actor Robert Stephens in 1967. They had two sons, Christopher and Toby — who both grew up to be actors — and divorced in 1975. The same year she married the writer Beverley Cross, who died in 1998.

The parent organization of world football, FIFA, has recently featured renowned Bangladeshi band artist and singer-composer-musician Raef Al Hasan Rafa’s popular track “Ami Akash Pathabo” on its official Facebook page ‘FIFA World Cup’. FIFA featured the track as a background score for the Facebook Reels tribute video of the legendary Brazilian footballer Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, globally popular as Ronaldo, who was one of the key players for Brazil to win the 1994 and 2002 FIFA World Cup and the third-highest goalscorer for his national team, to date. The video, a regional content for the Bengali audiences of FIFA, was published on the Facebook page on September 22, with the caption “Ronaldo: Amazing and Best,” showcasing some of the finest momentums of the Brazilian football legend - a three-time FIFA World Player of the Year and winner of two Ballon d'Or awards.