Arts-&-Culture
Boi Mela extended by two days
Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2024 has been extended by two days beyond the scheduled time.
Director general of Bangla Academy, Muhammad Nurul Huda announced this on Tuesday evening.
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He said, "The Book Fair has been extended by two days following the the kind consent of the prime minister."
Earlier, Secretary of the Ministry of Culture Khalil Ahmad told media, "Today the prime minister has approved the extension of the fair by two days. We are informing the fair management committee about it now. They will make an announcement on the mike of the fair and the official notification will be issued tomorrow."
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As per the declaration, the fair will be wrapped up on March 2.
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Photography exhibition 'Contemplation' opens at AFD
'Contemplation', an exhibition by students of Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD)'s photography workshop coordinated by Abir Abdullah, has opened at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka.
The opening of the exhibition was held on Saturday, February 24 in the presence of Manzarehassin Murad, filmmaker; Saif Ul Haque, Principal, Saif Ul Haque Sthapati; Tushar Abdullah, Editor, Ekhon TV and Shabnam Ferdousi, filmmaker.
A group of 15 participants from diverse backgrounds attended a photography course conducted by internationally renowned photographer, Abir Abdullah, at the Alliance Francaise de Dhaka.
Art exhibition titled 'Life with Canvas' begins at Bishwo Shahitto Kendro
Upon completing the course, they are ready to showcase their 15 photo stories (150 photos) titled 'Contemplation’- on various topics, including contemporary social issues, stories of marginalized communities, self-reflection, climate issues, and more.
Each photographer has chosen a personally significant topic to them and will display their unique abilities in capturing images.
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The participant are Md Ala Uddin, Prashanta Hridoy, Asif Iqbal Swopneel, Pathanjada Sher E Zulfiker, Asif Musaddeque, Raiyan Islam (Kaiko), Iqbal Hossain, Rubel Karmaker, Jahid Apu, Saiful Islam, Jayanta Saha Joy, Suvro Paul, Kazi Tanvir Ahmed, Silvia Rovelli and Asfaque Ahmed.
The exhibition will be open to all till Wednesday, February 28, every day from 3 pm to 9 pm.
Art exhibition titled 'Life with Canvas' begins at Bishwo Shahitto Kendro
The art exhibition titled "Life with Canvas" began in the capital's Bishwo Shahitto Kendro on Friday.
Organised by the event management firm Black N Orange, renowned cartoonist and writer Ahsan Habib opened the exhibition at 4pm, according to a media statement.
‘My Language My Pride’: Curtain falls on international group art exhibition
Mahfuz Canvas, an art organisation based in Bangladesh, held a three-day international group art exhibition, titled "My Language, My Pride" at Dhanmondi's Safiuddin Shilpalay from February 19 to 21, commemorating the spirit of International Mother Language Day.
The exhibition featured works by 75 Bangladeshi and 16 international artists representing various nationalities, including India, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Syria, the Philippines, Iran, Lebanon, Egypt, Italy, Canada, and Pakistan.
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Professor Mohammad Eunus, artist and Chairman of the Art Bangla Foundation, inaugurated the exhibition on February 19. Md Muniruzzaman, painter and Executive Director of Gallery Chitrak, joined as the special guest, while artist and art critic Zahid Mustafa joined the event as the guest of honour.
"Our mission at Mahfuz Canvas is to empower and uplift self-taught Bangladeshi artists, ensuring they receive equitable opportunities to showcase their talents on a global scale," said Mahfuzur Rahman, founder of Mahfuz Canvas.
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"Through our online community, 'Obscure Artists,' established in 2018, we have cultivated a thriving network of 150,000 dedicated members. With Mahfuz Canvas, we aspire to further foster the growth and development of these exceptionally talented artists,” he added.
Mahfuz Canvas serves as a dedicated platform for underprivileged, self-taught Bangladeshi artists, offering them a unique opportunity to garner national and international acclaim.
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Since its inception, Mahfuz Canvas has organised 15 international exhibitions in UAE, Qatar, India, US along with sponsoring over 15 art exhibitions and events.
These initiatives have earned widespread recognition and admiration within the global art community, solidifying Mahfuz Canvas as a prestigious platform for artists to showcase their exceptional talents.
‘Learning from Old Dhaka’: Nasrul Hamid and French Ambassador inaugurate cultural showcase
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid together with French Ambassador to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy on Wednesday evening opened an exhibition, titled “Learning from Old Dhaka: Exploring the Future of Living Traditions.”
Alliance Francaise de Dhaka and Hamidur Rahman Cultural Centre in Zinzira, Keraniganj jointly hosted the exhibition.
At the beginning, the French Ambassador paid tribute to the martyrs of the Language Movement marking the International Mother Language Day.
She wholeheartedly thanked State Minister Nasrul Hamid for hosting the beautiful exhibition at Hamidur Rahman Cultural Center which she visited for the first time.
Ambassador Masdupuy recalled renowned architect Marina Tabassum who designed the Cultural Centre.
“This exhibition is the result of a yearlong project launched by Alliance Française of Dhaka in cooperation with architecture students coming notably from France (École de la Villette) and Bangladesh (BUET), showcasing the very rich and peculiar history of Puran Dhaka (Old Dhaka) through its architecture and the life and activity around the Buriganga,” she said.
“It's here also that Farashganj is located, the old French merchants’ settlement, and also where the ancestors of the state minister established themselves three hundred years ago," the Ambassador said.
She concluded by applauding the two French artists who showed them an extraordinary performance with a group of Buriganga coolies about all the industrial and handicraft landscape in Zinzira.
Zinzira, nestled on the southern fringes of Dhaka by the Buriganga River, is known for its small industries that serve as the city's backbone. This exhibition not only celebrates the architectural and cultural heritage of Old Dhaka but also fosters a dialogue between the past and the present, showcasing the potential for traditional practices to inform future urban living.
The two-week-long architectural exhibition will continue till March 10 at Hamidur Rahman Cultural Centre of Keraniganj.
State Minister Nasrul Hamid said the topics they explored were the endangered heritage of Old Dhaka, circular economy, urban agriculture, public space allocation systems and the corporate culture of Old Dhaka.
He also said their excellent work will help Bangladeshi architects understand heritage of Dhaka better and use these as reference.
The exhibition is the outcome of a two-week architectural research study by a group of architecture students from the universities of ENSA, Paris la Villette; BUET, Dhaka; BVCOA, Navi Mumbai; C.A.T., Trivandrum; and Mokpo University, South Korea.
They split into several working groups to investigate endangered heritage, circular economy, urban agriculture, innovation as part of traditional activities, informal sectors, public space distribution, and corporate culture in Puran Dhaka (Old Dhaka).
Amid its rapid growth, Dhaka risks losing its architectural and living heritage.
An intricate relationship exists between Puran Dhaka and the river Buriganga, and this field workshop will explore this relationship and highlight the various aspects of living heritage still thriving in the old labyrinths of the city.
A team of 44 students and 12 mentors worked together to map and document these aspects of the old city.
Organisers say the study encompasses various elements, including the evolution of Bara Katra from a residential area in Mughal times to an economic hub for the neighbourhood, albeit losing its original purpose.
It explores the hierarchy of public open spaces in the Armanitola neighbourhood and delves into the traditional craft of Shankhari bangle-making by learning from Shankhari artisans.
Additionally, it examines the preservation of Bangla culture in Tanti Bazar, where the sheen of gold contributes to the swift transformation of the built heritage, they say.
The study also highlights the enduring literary and cultural legacy in Bangla Bazar, the presence of Gol Talab as a rare oasis in densely populated Puran Dhaka, and the changes in the mansions of Zamindars in Mongolabash. Finally, it delves into the wood-to-paper connections in the Farashganj neighbourhood, they say.
The opening was followed by a performance art titled “Gaaner Kuli.”
Enthusiasts can visit the exhibition from 10am to 5pm daily.
AFD hosts classical music concert featuring Maxime Zecchini, Isabelle Durin
Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) hosted an exquisite evening of classical music featuring the renowned French pianist Maxime Zecchini and the accomplished violinist Isabelle Durin on Sunday, February 18 at its Dhanmondi premises.
This unique collaboration between pianist Maxime Zecchini and violinist Isabelle Durin brought together their artistry, creating a harmonious blend that captivates audiences.
The concert traversed a diverse musical landscape, offering a rich tapestry of emotions and artistic expression, according to a press release.
Maxime Zecchini, a graduate of the Paris and Lyon Conservatories, holds the distinction of being the first French pianist to complete his studies at the renowned “Incontri col Maestro” Academy in Imola, Italy.
He has achieved numerous accolades, including winning the Arcachon International Competition, being a laureate of the Cziffra Foundation, and being awarded the prestigious First Prize at the International Competition of Varenna – Lake Como in Italy, all through unanimous decisions.
He has been invited to perform in about fifty countries: tours in Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, China, South Korea, Japan, South Africa, Australia, Russia, Central America.
He has performed in recital or concert repertoire, which is as sensitive as it is virtuous and spectacular at the Beijing Opera, the Shanghai Opera, the Kyiv Philharmonic, the Malaysian National Symphony Orchestra, the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra and elsewhere.
Maxime Zecchini is also a recipient of scholarships from the Marcel Bleustein Blanchet Foundation, the Meyer Foundation and the Société Générale Musical Patronage. He has been accredited by the Mission du Centenaire and supported by the Bru Zane Foundation of Venice.
Violinist Isabelle Durin completed her studies at the Conservatoire de Versailles under the guidance of Alexandre Brussilovsky. She then obtained her diploma at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Lyon, studying with Jean Estournet and Kazimierz Olechowski. Continuing her education, she pursued chamber music at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Paris, studying with Alain Meunier and Michel Strauss.
Besides her musical education, she has also achieved a DEA in Philosophy from Sorbonne University. Her passion for symphonic music has also brought her to the Orchestre National d’Ile-de-France and the prestigious stage of Philharmonie de Paris.
In addition to her many qualities as a performer, she has extended her passion as artistic director of the “Les Harmonies Estivales” festival and now at the Motte-Tilly festival. With pianist Michael Ertzschield, Isabelle Durin released the Mémoire et Cinéma CD in 2018, based on a selection of films on Jewish culture, which has enabled her to meet a wide range of audiences.
Brac Bank Reading Café book ‘Protishwor’ published at Boi Mela
A first in Bangladesh, a book written by a group of literary enthusiast bankers, has hit the Amar Ekushey Boi Mela.
This is the first book written by reading club members of a bank in Bangladesh, according to a press release.
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Brac Bank Reading Café has published the book “Protiswor”, a diverse collection of 67 short stories, poems, essays, travelogues, and satires penned by 57 co-workers of the bank, it said.
According to Brac Bank, the book is dedicated to the martyrs of the Language Movement of 1952. Published by Rochoita Publishers, the book is available at stall-590 at the Bangla Academy Book Fair and also at renowned book stores.
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The book has been edited by a panel of Brac Bank Reading Café members led by Ekram Kabir, Head of Communication of the bank. Illustrated and designed by Lutful Hossain, the 224-page book costs Tk 300, said the release.
Expressing his enthusiasm about the book, the bank’s Managing Director and CEO Selim RF Hussain said: “I am elated to share that our colleagues have put their efforts together to publish a book. This feat has made the entire BRAC Bank Family immensely proud."
“At BRAC Bank, we create an environment where our colleagues can nurture creativity at a professional level and in personal space,” he added.
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The book's publishing epitomises the passion, hard work and enthusiasm of a group of bibliophiles at BRAC Bank who worked day and night to make this a reality, the release said said.
The bank’s reading circle was formed by a group of book enthusiasts who are passionate about literature and encourage collaboration and critical thinking among their coworkers.
Each month, the Reading Cafe members read one book and come together to discuss various aspects of it.
The Reading Café is a testament to the institution's dedication to nurturing a holistic and intellectually stimulating work environment, it said.
By bridging the gap between the financial industry and the literary world, BRAC Bank aims to inspire a more enlightened, thoughtful, and well-rounded community of professionals.
The creation of this book club aligns with Brac Bank's commitment to fostering personal and professional growth and improving work culture.
Curtain rises on ‘Learning from Puran Dhaka: Exploring the Future of Living Heritage’ at AFD
On Friday, an architecture exhibition titled ‘Learning from Puran Dhaka: Exploring the Future of Living Heritage’ began at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) in the capital’s Dhanmondi.
Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union in Bangladesh Charles Whiteley, Ambassador of France to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy, and Antonio Alessandro, Italian Ambassador in Bangladesh, were present at the inauguration ceremony.
Thijs Woudstra, Chargé d'affaires at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Bangladesh and Prof Dr Khandaker Shabbir Ahmed, President of the Institute of Architects Bangladesh also joined the event.
This exhibition is the outcome of a two-week architectural research study by a group of architecture students from the universities of ENSA, Paris la Villette; BUET, Dhaka; BVCOA, Navi Mumbai; C.A.T., Trivandrum; and Mokpo University, South Korea.
They split into several working groups to investigate endangered heritage, circular economy, urban agriculture, innovation as part of traditional activities, informal sectors, public space distribution, and corporate culture in Puran Dhaka.
Amid its rapid growth, Dhaka risks losing its architectural and living heritage. An intricate relationship exists between Puran Dhaka and the river Buriganga, and this field workshop will explore this relationship and highlight the various aspects of living heritage still thriving in the old labyrinths of the city, according to the organizers.
A team of 44 students and 12 mentors worked together to map and document these aspects of the old city. This study encompasses various elements, including the evolution of Bara Katra from a residential area in Mughal times to an economic hub for the neighbourhood, albeit losing its original purpose.
It explores the hierarchy of public open spaces in the Armanitola neighbourhood and delves into the traditional craft of Shankhari bangle-making by learning from Shankhari artisans. Additionally, it examines the preservation of Bangla culture in Tanti Bazar, where the sheen of gold contributes to the swift transformation of the built heritage.
The study also highlights the enduring literary and cultural legacy in Bangla Bazar, the presence of Gol Talab as a rare oasis in densely populated Puran Dhaka, and the changes in the mansions of Zamindars in Mongolabash. Finally, it delves into the wood-to-paper connections in the Farashganj neighbourhood.
The efforts of this extensive and informative research project can be explored at the exhibition open to all at La Galerie till Friday, February 23, from 3pm to 9pm every day.
The opening was followed by a performance art titled ‘Gaaner Kuli’.
BSA welcomes Falgun in style, bids farewell to the Pitha Ustab
Netizens in the capital observed a joyful Wednesday as Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) celebrated the festive occasion of Pahela Falgun with its "Bawshonto Utsab" through jovial arrangements.
Concurrently, the esteemed national cultural organization also bid farewell to its much-acclaimed ‘Jatiya Pitha Utshab 1430’ (National Rice Cake Festival) on Wednesday.
The festivities of the day began with a special dance recital titled ‘Bawshanto Nrittyo’ in the capital’s Ramna Park at 3:30 pm with 225 dance artists. A festive procession was then brought out towards the BSA premises after that, joined by an approximate number of 300 artists representing different cultural genres.
Minister of Housing and Public Works RAM Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhury joined the ‘Bawshonto Utshab’ as the chief guest. Cultural Affairs Secretary Khalil Ahmed was the special guest at the festivities.
The cultural event on the open premises of the academy then featured enthralling musical performances, poetry recitations, dance recitals, and choreography of spring-themed Bengali fashion, presented by the country’s esteemed artists from 4:30 pm onwards.
After enthralling the audiences with the festive offerings, BSA organised the concluding and prize-giving ceremony of this year’s ‘Jatiya Pitha Utshab’ at the open premises of the academy from 8:30 pm.
Dhaka University celebrates tapestry of festivals Wednesday
Dhaka University campus experienced a vibrant and eventful day on Wednesday when students and others celebrated the Valentine's Day and other major events amid festivity and celebrations.
February 14 is known as "the day of love" in the English calendar while the day coincided with the beginning of the Bengali month of Falgun, the first day of the Spring season.
Additionally, Wednesday also coincided with Swaraswati Puja, a Hindu festival celebrated at the renowned Jagannath Hall of Dhaka University, intensifying the festive atmosphere.
The day commenced with the Pahela Fagun festival at the Bokultola of the Fine Arts Faculty, where the campus was adorned with shining rays of the rising sun. Simultaneously, Swaraswati Puja commenced at Jagannath Hall, featuring 72 idols from various departments, institutes, universities, and halls.
Dhaka University was enveloped in a kaleidoscope of traditions as people from diverse backgrounds, adorned in festive attire, flocked to the campus.
The Bakultola hosted day-long programmes organised by the Bosonto Utsab Udjapon Committee to welcome the Spring season. Concurrently, another cultural programme took place at the 'Bot tola' of the Arts Faculty, celebrating the arrival of Falgun.
Students in panjabis and sarees, were a common sight at Charukola Faculty, holding red roses as they embraced the festive spirit.
Wasif Khan, a visitor from Mohammadpur, shared his plans for the day, expressing his intention to enjoy the festivities with his loved one. His day included visits to Charukola, Jagannath Hall for the Puja, the book fair, and possibly Rabindra Sarobar.
Tanni Das, a visitor to the Puja from Mirpur, highlighted her family's annual tradition of paying homage to the goddess of knowledge, Saraswathi, at Jagannath Hall's Puja ground. Despite the convergence of four mainstream festivals, she emphasized their focus on Swaraswati Puja.
As the book fair opened at 3:00 pm and continued until 9:00 pm, a discussion honouring language movement veteran Gaziul Haque took place at the main stage of the fair at Bangla Academy Premises. The influx of people from Pohela Falgun and Swaraswati Puja contributed to the bustling atmosphere at the book fair, with book sellers reporting increased sales.
However, the festivities led to substantial crowds and traffic jams in the Dhaka University area, causing inconvenience for students. Arif Hasan, a DU student, expressed frustration, noting the challenges to the university's security and the well-being of its students amid the dense crowds.