arts-culture
‘Pippa’ team apologizes for AR Rahman's interpretation of Nazrul’s “Karar Oi Louho Kopat” after backlash
After massive backlash over AR Rahman’s interpretation of Bangladesh’s National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam’s song "Karar Oi Louho Kopat" in the latest Bollywood war film “Pippa”, the makers have issued an apology on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter).
The Raja Krishna Menon-directed film, starring Ishaan Khatter, Mrunal Thakur, Priyanshu Painyuli, Soni Razdan and others, was released on November 10 on Amazon Prime Video. The film features battle between India and Pakistan in then East Pakistan during the 1971 Liberation War.
Produced by RSVP Movies and Roy Kapur Films, the film features a remake of the Nazrul song "Karar Oi Louho Kopat". The remake version has been composed by Oscar winning-music composer AR Rahman and features Indian singers Rahul Dutta, Tirtha Bhattacharjee, Pijush Das, Shrayee Paul, Shalini Mukherjee and Dilasa Chowdhury.
After the release of the song, Nazrul exponents and admirers along with general audiences in both Bangladesh and India expressed massive dissatisfaction over the remake.
Read: “Leelabati Nag: The Rebel” premiered at Liberation War Museum
In response to that, the film’s makers stated: “We understand the emotional attachment that audiences may have to the original composition, and while all art is inherently subjective, if our interpretation has hurt sentiments or caused unintended distress, we offer our sincere apologies.”
The statement notes that the producers, director and music composer of the film “Pippa” wish to clarify that their rendition of the song is a sincere artistic interpretation, embarked upon only after securing the necessary adaptation rights from the estate of the Late Kazi Nazrul Islam.
According to the statement, they approached the making of this song by faithfully following both the letter and the spirit of the license agreement for the lyrics, as duly signed by the late Kalyani Kazi and witnessed by Anirban Kazi.
“Our intent was to pay homage to the cultural significance of the song while adhering to the terms set forth in our agreement, which permitted us to use the lyrics with a new composition,” the statement claims.
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Earlier on Saturday, several of the country’s eminent Nazrul exponents shared their official statements against the “distortion” of the song at a press conference held at the Kabi Nazrul Institute in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi.
General Secretary of Bangladesh Nazrul Sangeet Sangstha (BNSS) Khairul Anam Shakil, Kazi Nazrul Islam’s granddaughter Mistee Kazi, Nazrul exponent Sadya Afreen Mallick, veteran Nazrul singer Shaheen Samad, singer Bulbul Islam and others were present at the press conference.
According to the prominent Indian newspaper The Times of India, Kalyani Kazi’s agreement to the makers mentioned that she was "represented" to the production house as the "sole surviving legal heir" and "all rights, title and interest in the literary work are owned and vests" on her. It also stated that she was "authorized to grant the licence".
"We came to know about the agreement through the media. Legally, I am not sure if Kalyani Kazi could ignore all of us and enter into an agreement saying she is the only heir," Mistee Kazi told The Times of India.
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Humayun Ahmed’s 75th birth anniversary being observed Monday
Monday marks the 75th birth anniversary of legendary writer, author, lyricist, educator, screenwriter, playwright and filmmaker Humayun Ahmed, often regarded as one of the best writers in Bengali literature after Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam.
The celebrated litterateur was born on November 13, 1948 at Kutubpur, Netrakona.
Humayun Ahmed’s 11th death anniversary being observed nationwide
Credited with revitalizing Bengali literature and is best known for his iconic fictional characters such as ‘Himu’, ‘Misir Ali’, ‘Baker Bhai’ and others, as well as for his ‘magic-realism’ based storytelling, Humayun Ahmed marked his breakthrough in the Bengali canon with his debut novel Nondito Noroke (1972).
He then wrote over 200 fiction and non-fiction books, all of which were bestsellers in Bangladesh and are still popular among his readers.
Remembering Humayun Ahmed on his 74th birth anniversary
Unanimously regarded as the bestseller author at the Ekushey Book Fairs during the 1990s and 2000s, the majestic litterateur received Ekushey Padak, Bangla Academy Award, Lekhak Shibir Award, Shishu Academy Award, Michael Madhusudan Padak, Bachsas Award and more, for his outstanding contributions to the Bengali culture and entertainment sphere.
As a successful content-maker in television, Ahmed debuted with his drama 'Prothom Prohor' (1983) for Bangladesh Television (BTV). His successful journey in television continued with popular drama serials 'Ei Shob Din Ratri', 'Bohubrihi', 'Ayomoy', 'Nokkhotrer Raat', 'Aaj Robibar' and most notably, 'Kothao Keu Nei' for the character of ‘Baker Bhai’ played by eminent actor Asaduzzaman Noor.
Remembering Humayun Ahmed on his 10th death anniversary
Humayun Ahmed also explored success as a filmmaker in the early 1990s and went on to make a total of eight films in his filmmaking career, each based on his own novels. Two of his films, 'Sjyamol Chhaya' (2004) and 'Ghetuputra Komola' (2012) were the official Bangladeshi submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in their respective releasing years.
He received seven Bangladesh National Film Awards in different categories for the films Shonkhonil Karagar' (as screenwriter), 'Aguner Poroshmoni', 'Daruchini Dwip' and 'Ghetuputra Komola'. Commemorating his life and legacy, family members and different organisations along with his admirers are observing Humayun Ahmed’s birth anniversary today.
Humayun Ahmed’s widow and cultural personality Meher Afroz Shaon, alongside their sons Nishad Humayun and Ninith Humayun, are also scheduled to take part in various activities in Nuhash Polli, Gazipur.
However, due to the countrywide blockade, a noted fan group of the eminent writer known as Himu Paribahan which has been observing his birth anniversary for many years, had to cancel its scheduled yearly journey at the writer’s grave in Nuhash Polli.
Among other events, private television station Channel I will arrange its annual 'Humayun Mela' which will be broadcast live from Channel I Chetna Chattar today at 3:05 PM.
The channel will also broadcast Humayun Ahmed's film 'Noy Number Bipod Sanket' at 5 pm and eminent director Salahuddin Lavlu's fiction drama "Ami Humayun Ahmed hotey Chai" at 9:30 pm.
EXIM Bank-Anyadin Humayun Ahmed Literary Award 2023 conferred Meanwhile, the EXIM Bank-Anyadin Humayun Ahmed Literary Award 2023 was presented on Saturday among the recipients, marking the eve of the 75th birth anniversary of Humayun Ahmed at Bangla Academy’s Abdul Karim Sahitya Bisharad Auditorium on Saturday.
Eminent litterateur and journalist Imdadul Haq Milan received the award this year for his literary contribution to the country’s literature arena, while Mahbub Mayukh Rishad was awarded in the Young Litterateur Category which is awarded to under 40-year-old writers.
Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar was present as chief guest at the ceremony, while Anyadin Editor Mazharul Islam, EXIM Bank Managing Director & CEO Mohammad Feroz Hossain, Humayun Ahmed’s brother and eminent academician-writer Dr Muhammad Zafar Iqbal and Meher Afroz Shaon spoke at the event, presided over by the EXIM Bank-Anyadin Humayun Ahmed Literary Award jury board President and eminent academician Syed Manzoorul Islam.
Since 2015, the ceremony has been held annually on the day before Humayun Ahmed's birth anniversary.
However, this year the award ceremony was held two days earlier due to the ongoing political unrest, according to the organizers.
‘Inspiration’: artist Jamil Khan’s solo exhibition begins at Gallery Cosmos
Singapore-based Bangladeshi artist Jamil Khan’s solo exhibition titled ‘Inspiration’ was inaugurated on Saturday, November 11, at the Garden Gallery, Gallery Cosmos, in the capital’s Baridhara.
The exhibition parallels the human journey, showcasing around 40 magnificent artworks by the multitalented artist which were created in Singapore and Dhaka.
Using sketching on pencil, Acrylic, and oil paint, Jamil elevates the commonplace to a realm of vibrant expression. His vivid artworks become vessels for tales of connection, intimacy and raw emotion, offering the art admirers with a fusion of artistry and reality.
The inauguration ceremony of the exhibition on Saturday was joined by distinguished guests alongside family, friends and art admirers of artist Jamil Khan, who was born in one of the culturally significant families in Bangladesh, known for cordially patronising the country’s diverse arts and talented artists.
Gallery Cosmos to host young artist Jamil Khan’s solo art exhibition on Saturday
The solo art exhibition of Singapore-based Bangladeshi young artist Jamil Khan titled ‘Inspiration’ is all set to be inaugurated on Saturday, November 11, at the Garden Gallery, Baridhara, in the capital.
The exhibition, thoughtfully titled ‘Inspiration’, mirrors the human journey - a mirror to melancholy, a sanctuary for introspection and a portal to self-discovery. In his latest works, Jamil infuses each artwork with his disposition, their titles echoing the emotions and ambience they encapsulate.
Embarking on exploring the intricate interplay between cause and effect, his fresh body of works delves into the nuanced fabric of everyday life - which will be showcased in this exclusive exhibition.
A Heritage Traveller's quest: Eliza Binte Elahi’s journey of rediscovering Leelabati Nag
Among all the rebellious social reformers of Bengal in the British-ruled Indian subcontinent before 1947, the year when the subcontinent finally tasted freedom - there was a woman who actively participated in major sociopolitical movements and even trained other women to revolt against the oppressors.
Her name was Leelabati Nag, also known as Leela Nag and Leela Roy after her marriage to her spouse Anil Chandra Roy; but she is mostly remembered for another monumental achievement - being the first-ever female student at Dhaka University who snatched her right to study there, when it was not keen to promote or nurture the culture of coeducation, as far back as 1921 - when the institution was founded.
Even though this was a remarkable achievement which cemented her name and legacy in history, very few actually know about her other identities - a radical leftist politician, an ardent educationist, a publisher - and a social reformer.
“Not only our new generation but also people from the earlier generations and even many knowledgeable and resourceful people are unaware of Leela Nag - since we lack the practice to learn about personalities like her. Most people know very little about Leela Nag, except that she was the first female student at Dhaka University. She was actively involved in several significant radical movements and many political and social initiatives, but very few have adequate knowledge on this,” says Eliza Binte Elahi, a renowned heritage traveller and documentary filmmaker.
With the mission to enlighten the enthusiasts about this legendary revolutionary woman, Eliza made “Leelabati Nag: The Rebel” - a documentary film, researched, scripted and produced by Eliza Binte Elahi from “Quest: A Heritage Journey of Bangladesh” and directed by ARM Nasir.
In a candid conversation with UNB before the screening of this significant documentary, Eliza said, “When I realized that the next generation, as well as previous/current generations, needed to be informed about Leela Nag, I began studying her. However, very few individuals can elaborately talk about her because in reality, most of those who saw her or observed her actions in person, are not alive.”
When the UNB correspondent asked about her motifs for this particular social reformer, Eliza said: “First of all, she was a revolutionary woman, a pioneer leader of the anti-British movement. She was a follower of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, hence she became a great part of the anti-British movements in Bengal.”
“Almost everyone knows about Pritilata Waddedar - the revolutionary - but only a handful know that Pritilata was a student of Leela Nag. She guided everything and provided training to Pritilata and otherwomen, and she was able to do so because she had been battling against the anti-British movement from long ago.”
“Additionally,” Eliza continued, “Leela Nag was also a pioneer figure in social movements - particularly women's awakening during her time. We know that the pioneer Begum Rokeya worked on women's education, but Leela Nag was also an active educationist; who initiated twelve schools for women of her time, and she guided them to become self-reliant.”
Talking about how Leela Nag was socially engaged, Eliza mentioned that under Leela’s editorship, a magazine titled 'Jayashree' was launched in 1931, with its initial headquarters in Dhaka, presently in Kolkata.
“In addition, Leela Nag founded the first women's community in this subcontinent, the ‘Deepali Sangha.’ The present Bangladesh Mahila Parishad which was founded by late eminent poet Sufia Kamal, is considered to be the subsequent offshoot of this particular community. When discussing women's groups, leadership, and awakening in this subcontinent, Deepali Sangha must be credited as the driving force.”
That being said, the name of this revolutionary woman is only being remembered these days for debuting co-education at Dhaka University, and that triggered Eliza to move forward with this exclusive project - of course, with a lot of hurdles.
“I began my research about this documentary in late 2022 and collected as much information as possible from all existing resources in both Bangladesh and Kolkata. The problem is that it was way too hard to find relevant people who could share some memories about her; the other problem was that almost every property that she founded (schools, and even her own ancestral house) - are in different hands nowadays.”
However, the quest of Eliza did not stop there as she went to Kolkata and was able to interview Bijay Nag, Leela Nag’s son - now 89 years old. “We also talked to her other relatives and associates in Kolkata, and tried to accumulate as much information as possible because this is a documentary, it should contain these valuable insights,” Eliza told UNB.
One of the disciples of Leela Nag is the eminent researcher, essayist, cultural personality and Liberation War Museum trustee Mofidul Hoque. Not only did he appear in this documentary and share his knowledge regarding the social reformist, but the museum also actively supported Eliza throughout this documentary with post-production facilities.
‘Dream of Human Nature’: Brihatta Art Foundation hosts interactive solo exhibition of Koen Vanmechelen
At the Brihatta Art Foundation in the capital’s Hazaribagh, an exclusive solo exhibition of Belgian artist Koen Vanmechelen titled "Dream of Human Nature" began on Saturday.
The interactive exhibition, organised and hosted by Brihatta Art Foundation and curated by renowned Bangladeshi artist and art educator Bishwajit Goswami, is a convergence of art, science and community that invites visitors to actively discover nature as a library of knowledge.
With this exhibition, the visiting Belgian artist Vanmechelen unveils the essence of his ongoing Cosmopolitan Chicken Project (CCP). The project is an ongoing trans-disciplinary art project starting in the late 1990s which aims to create a hybrid of “all races of chicken in the world.”
This exclusive exhibition is an invitation to learn more from nature regarding the existence of human beings and how people can dream and create a more sustainable future.
Brihatta Art Foundation, a research-based young artist-run platform based in Dhaka with a strong focus on community development and collaboration, invited Koen Vanmechelen for this fall exhibition. Vanmechelen has been working for over 20 years at the intersection of art, community, and science.
Red: ‘Songs of Soul': 3rd solo exhibition of Zahangir Alom begins at Alliance Française
His passion is based on the belief in art as a driver of mutual understanding and as a guide in the search for answers to the significant challenges of the 21st century, the relationship between nature and culture, and, in particular, the development of sustainable communities.
"I embrace my role as an artist in shaping a harmonious world,” Vanmechelen stated regarding the exhibition. “The exhibition's intricate tapestry celebrates humanity's diversity, inspiring us to cherish our dreams with a mindful perspective of our nature.”
“In this convergence of art, science, and community, I find hope for a future built on unity and understanding. And I hope visitors will experience the same," he said.
Vanmechelen is thrilled to exhibit in Bangladesh for the first time, saying, "It is a fascinating place of ancient civilisations and enormous biocultural hybridity. Through genetics and collaborative art, the exhibition reflects our interconnectedness and calls for sustainable coexistence.”
Read: Rezaul Hoque's solo exhibition ‘Living on the Edge’ begins
‘Songs of Soul': 3rd solo exhibition of Zahangir Alom begins at Alliance Française
The third solo art exhibition of Zahangir Alom titled ‘Songs of Soul’ began at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD).
Zahangir worked as a "resident artist" of Oriental Painting Studio for a long time and developed his own style of watercolour wash technique.
Ebru art exhibition hosted by Turkish Embassy held in Dhaka
The maturity of his colour mixing is the unique quality of his painting. Some of his works are semi-abstract, and the mature arrangement of colours in the painting can be seen in conjunction with the maturity of his senses.
The melody of the music, the rhythm of the poem, and the dance of the female body are alluded to in his paintings. Sometimes "Gaudiya Nritya", sometimes "Desh", sometimes "Bageshree", sometimes "Khamaj" or ‘Malkauns" raga; sometimes the play of clouds; sometimes the afternoon of late-autumn; sometimes magical twilight; sometimes the beauty of Bengal; sometimes "Leelakirtan"; sometimes the subject-narrative of mythological anecdotes play in his paintings.
Rezaul Hoque's solo exhibition ‘Living on the Edge’ begins
He paints many images of flowers that are different from real flowers. Here, the colour comes with the charming message of form. The itinerant artist’s work celebrates visible nature, but his view of nature is not a close-up view.
He made a series of paintings based on the motifs of Bengal’s "Sarachitra", mixed with the new language of Bengali folk paintings. The inner flowers, female figures, trees, and foliage are arranged in an imagined alchemy, and although the painting is a traditional wash method, it is full of three-dimensional mixed-colour play.
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This exhibition includes works in the watercolour wash technique. The shape of the figure is similar to a heap of clouds in the movement of colours, and while there is no attempt at clarification, the figures (mostly female figures) appear as real flesh figures. This skill has been acquired through his long practice and watching the work of oriental artists in the studio.
In most of his works, he has used red, blue, yellow, orange, and black colours with the same brightness. There remains the expanse of standing trees, the glimmer of light through the gaps in the trees, and the evocative silhouettes of childhood memories in his paintings. Almost every work has a touch of blue. The monsoon, rain-drenched nature, the smell of the earth, and the colour of the air are saturated in the melody of nature’s music.
Anis A Khan, Member, board of governors at the Society for Promotion of Bangladesh Art; Prof Mohammad Eunus, chairman of Art Bangla Foundation; Zareen Mahmud Hosein, director of Shasha Denims Limited and Prof Dr Malay Bala of Department of Oriental Art, Faculty of Fine Art at Dhaka University attended the event as special guests.
The exhibition will be open to all until Saturday, November 11, from Monday to Saturday, 3 to 9 pm.
Gallery Cosmos felicitates Ekushey Padak 2023 recipient Kanak Chanpa
Gallery Cosmos, a renowned platform supporting Bangladeshi art and artists, honoured the 2023 Ekushey Padak recipient and eminent artist Kanak Chanpa Chakma on Monday night.
The felicitation event was hosted by Gallery Cosmos at the Garden Gallery, Baridhara, in Dhaka.
Chaired by Gallery Cosmos Director Tehmina Enayet, the event was joined by distinguished personalities including renowned Bangladeshi industrialist and patron of arts, Anjan Chowdhury; Ekushey Padak recipient artist-academician Jamal Uddin Ahmed; Cosmos Foundation Director Dilshad Rahman and others.
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Born in Rangamati’s remote hill area Tabal Chari, Kanak Chanpa received her Master of Fine Arts degree in 1986 from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Dhaka University. She then attended Pennsylvania State University in the US from 1993 to 1994, where she was awarded a Mid-America Arts Alliance Fellowship.
Having completed her degree, she came back to Bangladesh, continued her artistic journey and became one of the most successful artists in the country’s contemporary art scene.
“Art is an expression of our emotions, thoughts, inspiration, and desires. These visions of art become even more majestic through the works of Kanak Chanpa Chakma, who is like a sister to me,” Gallery Cosmos Director Tehmina Enayet said at the ceremony.
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"Kanak Chanpa is considered one of the most distinguished artists in Bangladesh today, and her art has gained recognition around the world. Many of her paintings reflect the vibrant lives of the Chakma community," Tehmina Enayet said.
'Tomar Chokhe Bangladesh': Photo contest offers chance to win iPhone 14, motorbike
'Short by Short', a platform, has organised a district-focused photo sharing competition to win brand new motorbike and iPhone 14.
Selected photos from each district will be published on the social media platform of facebook.com/tomarchokhebangladesh, according to a press release.
Read: Yunnan Arts University delegation visits Gallery Cosmos, Atelier71
The page 'Tomar Chokhe Bangladesh' has been promoting the natural beauty of rural areas, including rivers, green fields, the simple lives of people, and even the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant to identify districts. To showcase these images globally, the platform has organized a photo contest, with a chance to win a brand new motorbike, iPhone 14 and other attractive prizes.
To participate in the contest, interested individuals should fill up the form and attach three photos of nature and the development of the districts. The form is at: https://rb.gy/pw2sa. Anyone can participate in this competition and present Bangladesh as seen through their eyes. Sixty-four people selected from 64 districts will get one iPhone 14 each.
The process of selecting the winner is also quite novel. To select winners, 80 percent of the score will be based on audience likes, comment shares, and 20 percent from the judges. After the district-wise competition, 64 winners from 64 districts will participate in the divisional competition.
Later, 8 people from the divisional stage will compete to become the best in the country. The contest will continue till October 25.
Short by Short team leader Abu Raihan Jewel said the photos highlighting development of Bangladesh are rare on the internet. "The development that has taken place in Bangladesh in the last few years, however... those pictures are not always in front of our eyes. This competition has been organised so that you can easily find pictures from all over Bangladesh," he said.
Read: ‘Introspect’: Suborna Morsheada's fourth solo exhibition at AFD begins
Jewel said that any citizen of Bangladesh can participate in this competition by sending photos taken with a phone, camera, or any other device. He also said that photos uploaded previously on social media, or any other platform cannot be sent to this competition. The images submitted for the competition must also be copyright-free.
Turkish Embassy, Gallery Cosmos host 'Smiles Around the World: An Artistic Celebration'
Celebrating the soulful happiness that art offers to humanity, the Turkish Embassy in Dhaka hosted the works of renowned Bangladeshi artists in the unique group exhibition 'Smiles Around the World: An Artistic Celebration' on Saturday at the Turkish Residence, Baridhara Diplomatic Zone in the capital.
Eight prominent Bangladeshi artists participated in this exclusive exhibition, which will showcase three unique works made in different mediums by each of the eight artists: Abdus Shaqoor Shah, Kanak Chanpa Chakma, Mohammad Iqbal, Anisuzzaman Anis, Anukul Majumder, Bishwajit Goswami, Azmeer Hossain, and Sourav Chowdhury.
In total, the exhibition showcased 24 artworks of these esteemed artists.
Hosted by Turkish Ambassador to Dhaka Ramis Şen, the day-long exhibition was joined by art admirers and dignitaries from home and abroad. Cosmos Foundation Director Dilshad Rahman joined the event as the special guest.