Akhlakur Rahman

Contributing writer for Arts & Entertainment and Star Youth.

Jyotika Jyoti appointed new director of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy

According to the government contract, "Laal Moroger Jhuti" actress Jyotika Jyoti will be the director of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy for the next two years.

1w ago

Virtual Museum Bangladesh inaugurates Somapura Mahavihara

Virtual Museum Bangladesh celebrates the first-year anniversary of its beta version launch with the inauguration of a new historical site in their museum.

3w ago

Children’s entertainment – Needs more local, creative content

Spearheaded by amazing series and films like “Hawa”, “Poran”, “Karagar”, and “Syndicate” amongst many others, the Bangladeshi entertainment industry seems to be booming. However, amongst all this great work, one sector of the industry, children’s entertainment has been somewhat neglected.

5 iconic childhood films to revisit

Nostalgia is what keeps the modern man alive. Feeding on the good feelings from our childhood, is what keeps us moving throughout the day. Much similar to other aspects, films do carry a significance in reigniting good memories. Here are 5 iconic films from the 90s and 2000s that you probably watched growing up and should revisit.

Sadia soars

Since the release of Shihab Shaheen's web-film “Mayashalik” on December 19, featuring Apurba and Sadia Ayman in the lead roles, the audience were charmed by ‘Sara’, played by Sadia Ayman.  Innocent, jolly and a mischievous in nature, Sadia brought ‘Sara’ to life on the screen. The actor has also received the BCRA 2022 Best Actress (Critics) award from Bangladesh Cultural Reporters Association (BCRA) yesterday for “Mayashilik”. The actress will also be appearing in two more OTT works -- “Kabadi” released on Bioscope and “Internsheep” on Chorki.

Deepto TV launches their OTT platform Deepto Play

Deepto Play can be accessed on smartphones and smart TVs by downloading the Deepto Play app from the Google Play Store.

5 iconic Aishwarya Rai films to celebrate her birthday

Today marks her 49th birthday, and as she steps into this new year of her life, we have curated a list of five quintessential Aishwarya Rai films everyone should watch.

‘Kochi Kachar Mela’ founding anniversary concludes with a burst of innocence

Kendriyo Kochi Kachar Mela celebrated its 66th founding anniversary with a bundle of innocence and creativity, at the Central Kochi Kachar Milonayoton, Shegun Bangicha.

Raysa Khan Tareque: The Bangladeshi woman developing next-gen DNA technology

Raysa Khan Tareque is a Bangladeshi scientist who aspires to develop the next generation of DNA technology. As a Bangladeshi woman and a scientist, she has become a role model for the female population daring to chase after their dreams in STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).

Cartoon People celebrates first comic book publication

“Cartoon People Festival” is a three-day long cartoon exhibition that celebrates the inception of Cartoon People and their first comic book publication. The exhibition has been open-for-all from September 23 to 25, and is organized at Moar, Gulshan.

Bangladeshi teen captures silver and bronze at World Powerlifting Championship

Raiyan Rahman, a Bangladeshi teen has been honoured at the “World Powerlifting Championship 2022”, placing fourth. The event took place this August in Istanbul.

Musical twins spread the gospel of Bengali music

Purba Audhora and Urbi Modhura, two teenage musicians from London, showcased their love and respect for Rabindranath Tagore in the presentation of “Poshchimer Robi”, last Friday at Chhayanaut.

Kashful Foundation’s efforts to enact SDGs in Bangladesh

Rafid Ariyan, a student of North South University founded Kashful Foundation back in 2017 with a small dream of contributing to the skills development of children. The initial idea behind Kashful Foundation was to arrange fun and engaging events, alongside materials that would aid children in developing their intellect, skills, and mental health.

World Powerlifting Championship 2022

Raiyan Rahman, an 18-year-old youth studying at Mangrove school is set to compete in the World Powerlifting Championship 2022, in the sub-junior category (59kg weight limit) this August. This will be the first time someone from Bangladesh will represent the country in the international stage of powerlifting.

The tale of 'Hawa' reaches the heart of Notre Dame

After their recent visit to BUET, the “Hawa” team’s promotional conference and concert reached Notre Dame University Bangladesh (NDUB) on July 26. The event was organised by NDUB's Drama and Film Club, who welcomed the team with a cultural dance performance to the film's hit number "Shada Shada Kala Kala"

Hate Khori strives to facilitate education for fishermen community

Rubel Mia, a local youth from Mathbaria, Pirojpur founded Hate Khori Foundation back in 2018, with the intention of providing proper education for the financially challenged children of fishermen in his community.

Hybrid Lights: Young bands pay tribute to Chester Bennington

Linkin Park fans from all over Dhaka came together to pay tribute to the legendary vocalist of the band, Chester Bennington, on July 23 at at EMK Centre, Dhanmondi. The event “Hybrid Lights” was organised by aspiring young musicians who are part of the ‘Linkin Park Bangladeshi Soldiers’ group.

‘Beckoning Horizon’: Azmeer Hossain’s exhibition to run till July 23

Azmeer Hossain’s fifth solo exhibition “Beckoning Horizon” showcases sixty-two of his abstract and realistic paintings at the Edge Gallery in Gulshan. The exhibition features multiple series of abstract, objective and non-objective paintings by the artist such as “Horizon”, “Memory”, “Fragment”, “My Journey”, “Mindscape”, and “Before Time”. ...

Ananta Jalil visits Notre Dame University

Notre Dame University Bangladesh (NDUB) welcomed Ananta Jalil and Barsha Jalil yesterday. The event was organised as part of the ongoing promotions for Ananta Jalil’s upcoming movie “Din: The Day”. The programme was opened with a small cultural dance performance by Catherina Stuti, a student of the English Department and a member of Notre Dame’s Cultural Club. "With much appreciation, we welcome Ananta Jalil and his wife Barsha Jalil among us today," said Sourav Palma, Lecturer of the English Department and co-moderator of Cultural Club, NDUB.

IYCM promoting rights and opportunities for youth around the world

Md Sajib Khandokar, a youth hailing from Barisal, founded the International Youth Change Makers (IYCM), a social organisation with the intent of bettering Bangladesh in 2012.

CholPori: Ensuring proper educational resources for children nationwide

Zareen Mahmud Hosein, a chartered accountant by profession, founded CholPori, an e-learning platform for the children of primary school, in 2020. She aimed to enhance the grade competency of children through the platform using fun animations and illustrious content.

Menstrual hygiene is a necessity, not a taboo

Nadia Sultana Priyanka, the founder of NapreF3, has always carried a passionate heart towards social work. She established NapreF3 back in May, 9 2021 on International Mother’s Day, to help women and girls who cannot afford sanitary pads.

‘Dance is not just entertainment’

Devoted to inspiring freestyle and contemporary dance styles, the two-day dance campaign, “Becoming I”, concluded on June 13 at the Dhaka Gymnastic School, Panthapath. The event was organised by Taspia Karim, better known as Tia, an independent movement artiste who is a student of architecture at the Louisiana State University, New York.

‘22nd Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi National Conference’ begins

he “22nd Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi National Conference” began yesterday at the capital’s Mohanagor Natyo Mancha. The three-day event kicked off with the national anthem and Udichi's very own organisational song 'Udichi Amon E Ek Ayna'. The artistes of Udichi greeted the audience with two melodious cultural songs, paying a tribute to Bangali folk culture.

Where your pets feel at home

Rakibul Haq Emil, the Founder of PAW Foundation, along with Nuzhat Nabila and Khalid Farhan launched Furryghor, a hotel for pets, in February 2022. Nabila is an architect by profession, while Farhan is a digital marketer.

A snapshot of nature and history in the heart of Badda

Afreen was inspired by her mother Afroza Begum’s start-up Khan’s Kitchen.

Democracy International honours graduates of Young Leaders Fellowship Programme

The Young Leaders Fellowship Programme graduation ceremony, organised by Democracy International (DI), concluded recently.

UIU National Job Festival concludes

The UIU National Job Festival 2022, a two-day event organised by United International University (UIU), concluded on March 14. The closing ceremony of the fair was held at the UIU auditorium.

Moududul Alam’s exhibition ‘Hridoye Amar Bangladesh’ underway

In celebration of the Independence Day of Bangladesh, renowned photographer Moududul Alam’s exhibition, “Hridoye Amar Bangladesh” is currently underway at Safiuddin Shilpalay, Dhanmondi.  Moududul Alam is also the founder of Chattogram Photographic Society.

Mahmodul’s earnest mission to combat violence against women

Student Community against Rape and Sexual Violence (SCaRSV) is an organisation founded by A B M Mahmodul Hasan in 2015, which aims to protect the rights of women and girls across Bangladesh.

The wheels that set her free

Takia Sultana Nova, a third-year student of International Islamic University Chittagong, received the IVD Bangladesh Volunteer Award 2021, securing the third place.  She has successfully empowered over 400 women by teaching them how to ride scooters.

Largest scroll painting of Father of the Nation displayed at National Museum

Commemorating the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Birth Centenary Celebration, advertisement agency Mattra organised the event, ‘Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib: Mohajibon Path’, featuring the largest scroll painting of the Father of the Nation, by noted artist Shahjahan Ahmed Bikash.

Young politicians combat child marriage

Young political leaders have combatted child marriage as participants of the US and UK government-funded Young Leaders Fellowship Programme (YLFP), implemented by Democracy International.

Third Eye: A guiding light for visually impaired students

Masrur Ishraq founded Third Eye in 2019 to help the visually impaired students at his educational institution, University of Chittagong (CU). For his efforts, he won the Joy Bangla Youth Award for social inclusion in 2021.

Books to accompany you along the road

BoiBondhu started out in 2018 with an objective to promote reading. The organisation has built small libraries inside buses and hospitals, among other public places.

Magic through the eyes of P C Saha

Prokash Chandro Saha, also known as P C Saha, is a prominent magician. His father, R P Saha, was a reputed illusionist who founded Jonaki Jadu Chakra in 1974. It is one of the oldest magic troupes licensed by the Bangladeshi government. PC Saha now runs the troupe.

Preserving Bangladesh’s heritage sites in virtual reality

Ahamed Jaman Sonjib is the Founder and Project Head of Virtual Museum Bangladesh, and Ashek E Elahi Auni is its Co-founder. They started working towards the initiative in 2017.

Siblings Arbin and Larissa determined to cross the Bangla Channel

While 10-year old Syeda Larissa Roseanne swam across 8 kilometres (km) of the 16.1 km Bangla Channel in the Fortune Bangla Channel Swimming competition in December 2021 in four and a half hours, her brother, 15-year-old Syed Arbin Ayaan, conquered 9 km of the Channel in the same time span.

Meet the first Bangladeshi woman who conquered Mount Lobuche

Joynab Shantu, an assistant professor of the Department of Bangla at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, is the first Bangladeshi woman to conquer the 20,161 feet tall Mount Lobuche of Nepal. She reached the peak with Bangladesh’s flag in November 2021.

‘I have dedicated most of my life to music’

Her contribution to Bangladeshi playback singing is irrefutable. Her first playback song was in the film “Aseeya”, back in the 1960s.

Young innovators from Digital Khichuri Challenge showcase their impactful ideas

UNDP's Partnership a Tolerant, Inclusive Bangladesh (PTIB) organised a showcase, featuring ten youth-led innovative organisations, which have previously won the Digital Khichuri Challenge, at Impact Hub Dhaka recently.

Rima Sultana Rimu’s relentless mission to empower women

Rima Sultana Rimu is one of the two Bangladeshis on the 2020 BBC 100 inspiring and influential women list, from around the world. She is relentlessly working to empower women and eliminate gender discrimination, violence, and child marriage in conflicted areas of Bangladesh.

Solo exhibition ‘Temperament of Time’ concludes

Noted artist Syed Golam Dastagir’s first solo exhibition “Temperament of Time” came to a close yesterday at Gallery Shilpangan. The event was inaugurated on 22nd October by eminent educationist Dr Syed Manzoorul Islam. 

A book to go with your haircut

Inspired by the late social activist Polan Sarkar, who was also known as “Alor Ferrywala”, Harun ur Rashid and his 14-year-old son Arifur Rahman Apon go around house to house, delivering books for free.

‘Bangladesh Art Week’ hosts three events in Dubai

Bangladesh Art Week (BAW) launched three distinct yet correlated exhibitions, “Connection”, “I•D•E•N•T•I•T•Y WHO ARE YOU....TODAY?”, and “Undefined Territory” in Dubai, which will be on display till November in Dubai.

Malay Bala shares his ambitions, artistic philosophy

Renowned artist Malay Bala won the hearts of avid art lovers with his acclaimed series, “The Reunion of Shakuntala” inspired by the Sanskrit classic “Abhigyan Shakuntalam,” written by Kalidas.

11-year-old Toky Yasar Ayman’s earnest tribute to Sheikh Russel

Eleven-year-old Toky Yasar Ayman has impressed one and all with his melodious voice.  He recently partnered up with renowned singer and lyricist Shafiq Tuhin for the duet song, “Sheikh Russeler Kanna”.

IPDC Finance’s Agraz: Seeing through lenses of Sara Zaker

Agraz, an online event organised by IPDC Finance, showcases the journey of Bangladesh to becoming an independent nation. Hosted by Anis A Khan, advisor of Tyser Risk Management, Bangladesh, the event features stories of noted Bangladeshi personalities, their memories of the Liberation War, their ideas for Bangladesh, and their vision for the country's prosperous future.

October 15, 2021
October 15, 2021

Lighting up lives through eco-friendly practices

Shanjidul Alam Seban Shaan, founder of EcoVation Bangladesh (formerly known as Liter of Light), received the GEORGE H.W. BUSH Points of Light Awards’ Inspirational Honour Roll.

October 5, 2021
October 5, 2021

Robinhood Animal Rescuers celebrate World Animal Day

Robinhood Animal Rescuers organised a press conference celebrating World Animal Day on October 4, 2021. Afzal Khan, the founder of Robinhood Animal Rescuers, hopes to spread awareness for all animals that live side by side with us in our society through World Animal Day.

October 1, 2021
October 1, 2021

Learning innovatively with Science Bee

Mobin Sikder, a student of Chemistry at Jahangirnagar University, is the founder of Science Bee, an online platform that aims to educate youngsters about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.

September 17, 2021
September 17, 2021

Skateboarding towards glory

Nafi Ahmed intends to integrate skateboarding, a unique sport, into the lives of Bangladeshi youths. In line with that thought, he founded the group, Sk8 Platoon, with his peers, Arfi Shahid and Shaquat Hossain, in October 2020.

September 15, 2021
September 15, 2021

IPDC Finance’s Agraz: A chat with Dr Salehuddin Ahmed

Agraz, an online event organised by IPDC Finance, showcases the journey of Bangladesh to becoming an independent nation. Hosted by Anis A Khan, advisor of Tyser Risk Management, Bangladesh, the event features stories of noted Bangladeshi personalities, their memories of the Liberation War, their ideas for Bangladesh, and their vision for the country's prosperous future.

September 1, 2021
September 1, 2021

ASF organises ‘Role of Youth Workers in Preventing Violence’

Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF) organised a webinar themed around International Youth Day, titled “Role of Youth Workers in Preventing Violence”, on August 31, via Zoom. It was broadcast live from their Facebook page.

August 31, 2021
August 31, 2021

IPDC Finance’s Agraz: A candid chat with Dr Ainun Nishat

Agraz, an online event organised by IPDC Finance, showcases the journey of Bangladesh to becoming an independent nation. Hosted by Anis A Khan, advisor of Tyser Risk Management, Bangladesh, the event features stories of noted Bangladeshi personalities, their memories of the Liberation War, their ideas for Bangladesh, and their vision for the country’s prosperous future.

August 31, 2021
August 31, 2021

IPDC Finance’s Agraz: Looking back at the journey of Ataur Rahman

Agraz, an online event organised by IPDC Finance, highlights the journey of Bangladesh to becoming an independent nation. Hosted by Anis A Khan, advisor of Tyser Risk Management, Bangladesh, the event features stories of noted Bangladeshi personalities, their memories of the Liberation War, their ideas for Bangladesh, and their vision for the country’s prosperous future.

August 28, 2021
August 28, 2021

Milone Birohe Nazrul: Chhayanaut’s tribute to the National Poet

Commemorating the National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam’s 45th death anniversary, Chhayanaut organised a cultural programme, titled “Milone Birohe Nazrul”. The event was held online yesterday at 9 pm on their Facebook page and YouTube channel.

August 20, 2021
August 20, 2021

Brihonnola reaches out to those in need

Seeking an equal and inclusive society, Brihonnola relentlessly works with the transgender community. The organisation intends to include transgender individuals in the mainstream society, while promoting gender equality in Bangladesh. Sadikul Islam started Brihonnola in 2018, along with an executive team of 15 members, amongst which most were transgender people.