United News of Bangladesh

The 43rd edition of the Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammelan (National Rabindra Sangeet Conference) began on Thursday. It is organised by the Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammilan Parishad and is being held at the Chhayanaut auditorium in Dhaka's Dhanmondi. Cultural show marking Chinese New Year held in Dhaka The three-day conference, scheduled to be continued till January 25, is being joined by more than five hundred artists, cultural activists, and organisers from different regions of the country. Eminent Rabindra exponent Fahmida Khatun inaugurated the conference, and the president of the inaugural session, Dr Sarwar Ali, acknowledged her graceful presence with floral greetings. The three-day conference festivity began with the song “Ei Kotha ta Dhore Rakhish.” After the song, Dr Sarwar Ali delivered the President's speech, stating, "There was a crisis of artists here as many talented artists left for India after the partition—then talented artists like Fahmida Khatun and Zahidur Rahim played a special role in spreading the practice of Rabindra Sangeet across the country." “Fahmida Khatun inaugurated this conference today, and this incident has created a special significance for this year’s conference," Dr Sarwar Ali said, while also emphasising the majestic literary works of Rabindranath and how they resonated with society and its people for ages. ‘Nalini’: artist and printmaker Julia Lebrao Sendra’s solo exhibition begins at AFD Tania Mannan, secretary of the National Rabindra Sangeet Sammilan Parishad, delivered the welcome speech at the conference, informing that the recently deceased eminent Rabindra exponent, Papia Sarwar, will be honoured with Rabindra Padak at this year’s conference. After the speeches, the event started moving forward—starting with the lyrical ballad 'Firey Chol Matir Taney.'. The lyrics of the ballad were penned by Santosh Dhali, and the music was directed by artist Bulbul Islam, and the ballad was recited by Bhaswar Banerjee and Trapa Mazumdar. Nrityam Nrityashilana and Dhrithi Nartanalaya then showcased enthralling dance recitals, and after that, renowned Rabindra Sangeet artists including Rokaiya Hasina, Ashok Saha, Akalima Khatun, Shukla Pal, Ferdous Ara, Sushmita Ahmed, Prateek End, Partha Pratim Roy, Kallol Sengupta, Naima Islam, Mainul Islam, Anupam Basak, Pemana Roy, Irene Parveen, Asim Dutta, and Shrabani Mazumder performed solo songs. Alongside these solo performances, the Chandpur branch artists under the National Rabindra Sangeet Sammilan Parishad performed collective songs. Eminent dance artist Munmun Ahmed also performed on the inaugural day, and renowned recitation artist Dalia Ahmed recited Tagore’s poem at the event. 23rd DIFF concludes; ‘Priyo Maloti’ wins Best Film for Bangladesh More than 500 artists, cultural workers, and organisers from different parts of the country are participating in this year's 43rd National Rabindra Sangeet Conference. Activities of the second day of the conference started at 9:30 am on Friday, and several musical performances, dances, and recitals are scheduled to be held to enthral the Rabindra admirers. A delegation meeting was held on Friday at 3 pm, and a seminar titled “Rabindranath in Bangladesh and Rabindranath's Bangladesh" will be held at 4 pm. The activities of 'Zahidur Rahim Smriti Parishad' started in 1979 on the death anniversary of eminent Rabindra artist Zahidur Rahim. The name of the organisation was then changed to ‘Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammilan Parishad’ with a mission to operate on a larger scale across the country, and as of now, the Sammilan Parishad has been operating nationwide with its 82 branches. After its establishment, the first annual sessions were held only in the capital, Dhaka. To activate the branches, since 1984, conferences have been held in Dhaka for one year and in other districts the next year. Open to all, the three-day conference will welcome Rabindra admirers till January 25 at Chhayanaut.

A marble statue of a woman believed to be more than 2,000 years old was found abandoned in a garbage bag near the Greek city of Thessaloniki, police said Wednesday. A resident discovered the 80-centimeter (31-inch) headless statue beside a trash bin in Neoi Epivates, outside Greece’s second-largest city. The man turned it over to local authorities, who contacted archaeologists to assess its significance. A $6.2 million banana and the Bangladeshi vendor who sold it for 25 cents in New York Police said experts, following an initial evaluation, determined the piece dates to the Hellenistic era, a period roughly between 320 and 30 B.C. that was marked by a flourishing of art and culture following the conquests of Alexander the Great. The statue was sent for further examination by archaeologists. It will ultimately be handed over to the local antiquities authority for preservation and study. Police opened an investigation to determine who discarded the statue and briefly detained a man for questioning who was later released without charge. Accidental archaeological discoveries are relatively common in Greece, a country renowned for its ancient heritage, and often made during building construction or public works. In December, workers installing natural gas pipelines near Athens uncovered a Roman-era statue of Hermes buried upright in a brick-lined pit near the Acropolis. Thessaloniki weeks ago unveiled a trove of antiquities found during the decades-long construction of its metro system, which officially opened in November. Key finds, including a marble-paved Roman thoroughfare and tens of thousands of artifacts spanning the Greek, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods, are now showcased at subway stations.

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) and the Embassy of China in Dhaka jointly organised a cultural event marking the Chinese New Year celebration in Dhaka. The event titled "Happy Chinese New Year Wu Opera" was held at the National Theatre Hall auditorium on Tuesday night. Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, Chinese Ambassador to Dhaka Yao Wen, along with his spouse Li Yu, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Director General Dr Syed Jamil Ahmed, and BNP Standing Committee Member oDr Abdul Moyeen Khan attended the event and delivered speeches. Around 800 attendees, including key figures from the Bangladesh government and various sectors, the Chinese community, representatives of China-funded enterprises, Confucius Institutes, international students, and media outlets from both China and Bangladesh, watched the performance live. ‘Nalini’: artist and printmaker Julia Lebrao Sendra’s solo exhibition begins at AFD In his speech, Adviser Farooki extended Chinese New Year greetings to the people of both nations and spoke highly of the event for injecting new vitality into Bangladesh's cultural communities, effectively promoting cultural exchange and mutual understanding between China and Bangladesh. “We know that Bangladesh has entered a new era. I would like to thank the Chinese government and the embassy and hope that through cultural exchanges, Bangladesh-China relations will reach a unique height in the coming days, bringing benefits to both countries culturally and economically,” said Farooki. In his speech, Ambassador Yao highlighted the historical ties and geographical proximity between China and Bangladesh, which have fostered friendly exchanges for thousands of years. He noted that the Spring Festival is the most important traditional festival for the Chinese people and has been recognised by UNESCO as part of the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Wu Opera, as a treasure of China's intangible cultural heritage, represents an important facet of Chinese traditional cultural art. Ambassador Yao expressed hope that more Bangladeshi friends would experience the profound heritage and unique charm of Chinese culture, making cultural exchanges between China and Bangladesh even more vibrant. Yao also called for closer collaboration across various sectors in both countries to strengthen the bonds of friendship, contribute to regional and global peace and prosperity, and better build a community with a shared future for mankind. 23rd DIFF concludes; ‘Priyo Maloti’ wins Best Film for Bangladesh

Franco-Brazilian printmaker Julia Lebrao Sendra’s solo exhibition ‘Nalini’ began at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD), Dhanmondi on Tuesday. Alliance Française de Dhaka and Brihatta Art Foundation jointly organised the exhibition. The inaugural ceremony of this exhibition was joined by Amandine Roggeman, Cultural Attachée of the French Institute in India as the special guest. Brihatta co-founder and renowned Bangladeshi artist Bishwajit Goswami and Dhaka University Faculty of Fine Art Professor Anisuzzaman Anis were also present at the ceremony, along with the Director of Alliance Francaise Francois Grosjean. Read: 23rd DIFF concludes; ‘Priyo Maloti’ wins Best Film for Bangladesh The exhibition is an outcome of a three-month residency programme held in partnership between Villa Swagatam, Institut Français in Delhi, the French Embassy in Bangladesh, Alliance Française de Dhaka, and Brihatta Art Foundation. Villa Swagatam, launched in 2023, supports a wide range of artistic disciplines, with a strong emphasis on literature, arts, and crafts. In 2024-2025, the program will expand with collaborations with nearly 30 renowned residencies across France, India, and Bangladesh, creating a unique platform for creativity, fostering mutual understanding, and promoting cross-disciplinary dialogue. Brihatta Art Foundation, based in Dhaka, is a research-driven, artist-run platform aimed at enhancing the accessibility and visibility of art through community engagement. It serves as a dynamic bridge between artists, craftsmen, local and expat communities, and global practitioners, facilitating workshops, residencies, and art talks to achieve shared artistic goals. Read: Arka Fashion Week’s third edition concludes in style The main focus of the work is the relationship between riverbank communities and their natural environment, the Buriganga River. The exhibition focuses on the relationship between riverbank communities and the Buriganga River, exploring themes of identity, water, and textiles. Julia Lebrao Sendra’s work, initially aimed at understanding local healing rituals, shifted after she discovered a deeper issue: a broken connection between the people and the river, symbolizing the concept of ‘Solastalgia’. Coined by philosopher Glenn Albrecht, ‘Solastalgia’ describes people's emotional distress when they can no longer connect to the natural environments they once knew due to climate change and human activities. This sense of loss is evident in Dhaka, where the relationship with the Buriganga reflects global concerns. Julia's work aims to foster reflection and dialogue as a step toward healing, using symbols, patterns, and colors from her daily life in Dhaka to offer fresh perspectives on the issue. The exhibition will be open to visitors at AFD till Monday, January 27, every day from 3 pm to 9 pm.

The 23rd Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) concluded on Sunday, awarding Shankha Dasgupta-directed and Mehazabien Chowdhury-starrer film ‘Priyo Maloti’ the FIPRESCI Award for Best Full-Length Feature Film under the Bangladesh Panorama section. Organised for nine days in five venues across the capital, the festival showcased 203 films from 75 countries in 10 different categories. On Sunday, the festival concluded with its closing ceremony at the main auditorium of the Bangladesh National Museum in the capital, with the Bangladeshi premier of Iqbal Hossain Chowdhury-directed film ‘Boli’. Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki joined the ceremony as the chief guest, who mentioned several future steps for the Bangladesh film industry and the future editions of the Dhaka International Film Festival. He promised a permanent arrangement for well-equipped venues, a fixed budget and year-round activities, and also shared aspirations for the continuation of these types of works. “30 years ago, I was a volunteer at this festival; and I joined as a volunteer so that I could watch movies for free. However, this is unfortunate that our flagship Bangladeshi film festival lacks a permanent venue, advanced projection technology, and a proper sound system,” Farooki said at the event.

The publication ceremony of the book "Rafiqun Nabi'r Chitrabali" (Paintings of Rafiqun Nabi) was held on Sunday at Chhayanaut Sanskriti Bhaban in the capital’s Dhanmondi, featuring the paintings of the eminent Bangladeshi painter and Dhaka University Drawing and Painting Department Professor Emeritus Rafiqun Nabi. Hosted by Gallery Chitrak, the event, chaired by Dhaka University Professor Emeritus Dr Nazrul Islam, was joined by cultural luminaries from the society including the chief guest and the country’s prolific academician, critic, historian and DU Professor Emeritus Serajul Islam Choudhury; alongside eminent journalist and the daily Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman; author of the book Dr Syed Azizul Huq, prominent art maestro and former dean of DU Faculty of Fine Art Nisar Hossain, and renowned academician and English translator of the book Dr Fakrul Alam, as the speakers. Gallery Chitrak Managing Director and artist Md Moniruzzaman delivered the welcome address. After the musical performance of Chhaya Karmakar, who performed the songs of Rajinikanth Sen and Rabindranath Tagore, the speakers shared their remarks about the book. Addressing the chief guest at the event, DU Professor Emeritus Serajul Islam Choudhury said, "This book provides a detailed picture of Rafiqun Nabi's work, covering all of the mediums he worked with. The unified body of Rafiqun Nabi’s artworks is a picture of Bangladesh through its vibrant representation of the nation's people, society and thriving folk culture.” Syed Azizul Huq, the author of the book 'Rafiqun Nabi's Chitrabali' said, "Rafiqun Nabi has worked in various fields of the country’s art industry. A total of 160 of his paintings are discussed individually in the book.” Besides sharing the experience of writing for Rafiqun Nabi in this book, Syed Azizul Huq also shared his experience of writing books discussing the works of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, and the late eminent artist Shafiuddin Ahmed.

The Embassy of the Netherlands has organized a special, month-long solo exhibition of the renowned Bangladeshi artist Priti Ali titled ‘Power of Pain and Pathos 2’ at the embassy's Gallery Residence in the city's Gulshan 2. Inaugurated on January 17, the exhibition is featuring 40 paintings of Priti Ali. The inauguration ceremony was joined by several prominent personalities and delegates, including the Dutch Ambassador to Bangladesh Andre Carstens, eminent Bangladeshi-Spanish artist Monirul Islam, and CEO of WildTeam Dr Anwarul Islam.Born in 1986, Priti Ali spontaneously paints in the abstract expressionist style. Her artwork depicts various manifestations of human emotions and feelings, exploring the meaning of life amid good and evil while surrendering to nature. An ardent follower of pure abstract expressionism, Priti Ali specifies that her paintings are very much connected to humans’ affection, ecstasy, anguish and isolation. An emotionally charged painter, she draws what she feels from the core of her soul. Read: Artist Kalidas Karmakar's 79th birth anniversary observed in Faridpur Her paintings can be explained in many ways where one can find the touch of mysticism; some can get the taste of harmony, melancholy or despair. In her paintings, one feels the lament of a lonely soul, an underlying sorrow or a feeling of bareness.  

Friday marked the 79th birth anniversary of the late eminent Bangladeshi printmaker Kalidas Karmakar. To commemorate the Faridpur-born and internationally renowned artist's birth anniversary, a grand event took place at Ambika Maidan in Faridpur city. Born on January 10, 1946 in Faridpur to a family of goldsmiths and artisans, the internationally renowned maestro cemented his legacy as one of the most respected artists of Bangladesh. On Friday afternoon, guests inaugurated the program with releasing balloons and lighting lamps, which was followed by a drawing competition for children and a cultural program, under the patronage of the artist's family. Over a hundred children from various schools in the city participate in the drawing competition. Additionally, local artists showcased musical performances, and the celebration was complemented with a cake cutting ceremony. Members of Kalidas Karmakar’s family, leaders of the cultural organization, and distinguished individuals were present at the event. Regarding the event, Kalidas Karmakar’s younger brother Proshanta Karmakar Buddha said, "Today is the 79th birth anniversary of the eminent artist, my elder brother Kalidas Karmakar; and to enlighten our next generation of artists about his life and works, we organised the event from the family." AR-VR exhibition featuring July uprising posters opens at BSA "Throughout his entire life, Kalidas Karmakar worked to elevate the country's art to the world; he was a globetrotter throughout his life and had many options to settle abroad, but he always chose his motherland and became an internationally acclaimed artist. The art competition we have arranged today will not have any top place holder, rather we want them to draw as they wish and flourish their artistic talent, just like Kalidas Karmakar," he added. Rezaul Karim, a visitor, said, "The Ekushey Padak-winning artist Kalidas Karmakar is the pride of our Faridpur. We are extremely happy that today we are being able to celebrate his birth anniversary with this special event at his birthplace." "Artist Kalidas Karmakar is a globally acclaimed artist, but we were unable to properly celebrate his eventful life and works," stated Shipra Goswami, a local women's leader. "In order for the next generation to learn about our great artist, it is the duty of both the government and the people of our local community to plan and organize such events." At the ceremony, Kalidas Karmakar's younger brother Proshanta Karmakar Buddha informed that an archive in Faridpur is being established to preserve the eminent artist's work. An art college, in honor of the 'alluvial' artist, is also planned to be established in Faridpur, Prashanta Karmakar Buddha stated. A maestro of printmaking especially viscosity printing, Kalidas Karmakar’s diverse artworks featuring metallic and other objects, handmade paper, and oil on canvas prints have been widely exhibited throughout South Asia, the Middle East, Europe, the United States and many other places across the world. Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin’s 110th birth anniversary being observed Known as the ‘Alluvial Man’ in the country's art sphere, Kalidas began his career in paintings through assembling metal objects in the 1970s and with prints, he began to explore mythical images in the ‘80s, opening up new possibilities for etching and aquatint. His maiden solo art exhibition was held at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on August 7, 1976; and more than 50 of his exhibitions were held in 70 countries across the world. Throughout his illustrious career, he received multiple prestigious scholarships and fellowships, including the Polish Government Scholarship in Graphic Art at the Warsaw Academy of Fine Art, Warsaw University; the French Government Superior Scholarship in Fine Arts for research in multicolour etching at Atelier-17, in Paris; Japan Foundation Fellowship on Japanese Woodblock Printing at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music; ICCR Special Scholarship for research in Contemporary Modern Sculpture, West Bengal Lalit Kala Academy Studio; and Asian Cultural Council New York, Fellowship with Artist Residency program in the US, to name a few. He was one of the advisers of Gallery Cosmos and the modern state-of-the-art printmaking studio Atelier71 at the gallery venue in Cosmos Centre, Malibagh in the capital, for which he had always shown great dedication. He was engaged with the gallery till his death on October 18, 2019, following a heart attack. For his remarkable contribution to the Bangladeshi fine arts, Kalidas Karmakar was awarded the Shilpakala Padak in 2016 and the Ekushey Padak in 2018.

Bangladesh Shilpakla Academy (BSA) launched an exclusive live and AR-VR (augmented-virtual reality) interactive exhibition titled ‘July Uprising on Posters’ featuring artist Debashish Chakrabarty's July Uprising artworks at the National Art Gallery in the capital. BSA’s Production Department organised the exhibition with an opening ceremony at the National Art Gallery Auditorium on Tuesday, January 7. Dr Asif Nazrul, adviser to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and the Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Foreign Employment, joined the ceremony as the chief guest. Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Dr Syed Jamil Ahmed presided over the event. Eminent photographer, curator, activist and managing director of Drik Picture Library, Dr Shahidul Alam; writer, journalist, and managing director of Bangladesh News Agency (BSS), Mahabub Morshed; and director of the Fine Arts Department of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Mustafa Zaman, were also present as the special guests at the opening ceremony. ‘Remembering Monsoon Revolution’: 8 directors selected to make films on July uprising Writer and researcher Parvez Alam joined live from Amsterdam, Netherlands’, and artist Debashish Chakrabarty joined live from the US. Abdul Halim Chanchal, Director of the Production Department of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy delivered the welcome speech on the occasion. Dr Asif Nazrul said, "The fascist government's use of filthy narrative-making tactics has been demonstrated to us over the past 15 years; several claims of development advancement have been made through those tactics. A minimal poster can make a significant impact on developing an intriguing narrative, and it has also contributed to the July Uprising that we have seen through Debashish’s excellent works.” "Graffiti can be a powerful medium that we have not seen in the political context of the last 15 years," the adviser stated in reference to the July movement art graffiti. “Graffiti might not be around in the future, but if it is documented properly, it will be sustained—thus the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy's endeavour is commendable from that perspective.” Dr Syed Jamil Ahmed, Director General of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, stated, "Artist Debashish Chakrabarty has enviably demonstrated how art can be both a political tool and a work of art at the same time. The artist deserves appreciation for his ability to maintain his artistic integrity in the face of the revolution and widespread unrest.”

Oprah Winfrey is beginning 2025 with an old favorite. She has selected Eckhart Tolle's “A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life Purpose” for her book club, marking the first time she has chosen a publication twice. Winfrey, who launched her club in 1996, also picked “A New Earth” in 2008 and featured it in a series of webinars she hosted with Tolle. “A New Earth” was originally released in 2005 and has sold millions of copies. “As we welcome a new year, I wanted to revisit the book that had more effect on me than any other book by a living author has had on my perception of how I understand my connection to the world,” Winfrey said in a statement Tuesday. “As Eckhart’s work continues to speak to people from all generations, this podcast conversation is an offering to hear about his groundbreaking work ‘A New Earth’ and allow us all to experience brand new a-ha’s.” A Winfrey-Tolle video podcast discussion, held recently at a Starbucks Reserve in the Empire State Building, can be seen on Winfrey's YouTube channel and other outlets. Last month, Winfrey launched “The Oprah Podcast,” a weekly series that will include book club authors. The interviews are presented in partnership with Starbucks. Read: Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey headline arena like rock stars “I am deeply grateful to Oprah for having made spirituality accessible to a mainstream audience,” Tolle said in a statement. "Now, for the second time, she has chosen ‘A New Earth’ for her Book Club, thus bringing it to a new generation of readers at a time of increasing collective challenges. As there is no awakening and no gain in consciousness without challenges, we live in truly auspicious times!”