Weaving ‘Tati’ as a musical, visual treat
It has been a couple of weeks at least since the Bangla New Year celebrations, which we lovingly refer to as Noboborsho. However, Coke Studio Bangla’s “Tati” is still dominating playlists. ‘Taanti’, or in this case “Tati”, refers to the craftsperson or the creator of fabrics, who works with the material called taant – depicting motifs, colourful borders, and softness to touch. Especially in this heat, a taant saree or a fatua is always a welcome addition to an average Bangladeshi wardrobe, allowing one to breathe easy and at the same time, look trendy.
1d ago
Tagore’s Gitabitan and the bookshelf of a Bengali household
It has been 81 years today since Rabindranath Tagore, a Bengali polymath, poet, composer and the first Bengali Nobel Laureate, breathed his last. In these 81 years, much has changed in the world, including the modernisation of his compositions. Tagore’s songs—Rabindra Sangeet, as they are known—are still popular amongst Bengali music lovers.
1y ago
My visit to the Grammys
When I was arriving in Phoenix, Arizona last year for my Humphrey Fellowship, I did not imagine that I would get to be a part of one of the most prestigious musical celebrations of the world – the Grammys.
2y ago
Women in Translation Month: Why we need more of Selina Hossain
The women in Selina Hossain’s books are strong, because the author herself likes to be inspired by the reality around her.
2y ago
Remembering the contemporary great: Humayun Ahmed
To me, he was a weaver of stories from lands and cultures, all within Bangladesh, that I would never have heard of otherwise. Growing up abroad amidst mixed cultures and languages, Humayun Ahmed kept Bangladesh within me and in thousands of others like me.
2y ago
Bookstores, around the world
Needless to say, some of the best moments of my life have been spent inside bookstores.
2y ago
‘Memoirs of Dacca University’: Turning the pages back to the ’40s
The first of July has always been a busy day. With remembrances, special anniversaries and the beginning of a new financial year, the day also reminds us of how fast time passes, as half of the year flies by at the blink of an eye. Yesterday, however, the day was extra significant, because Dhaka University turned a century old. The only known institution in Bangladesh turning 100 (to my knowledge), and that too an important one both academically and historically, led me to look for books and other published items from the past which would speak at length about the university.
2y ago
In conversation with Kishwar Chowdhury
I applied for MasterChef Australia during lockdown last year. My son was on my back until I handed in my application, and the rest is history!
2y ago
April 5, 2019
Nawazuddin to star in Farooki flick
Mostafa Sarwar Farooki, for the first time, is making an English-language film -- “No Land's Man” -- that will star the illustrious Indian actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, according to Variety, an entertainment magazine.
April 3, 2019
2 Bangladeshis on Forbes 30 Under 30 list
This year's Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list, prepared by Forbes magazine, announced the names of young trailblazers yesterday, in 20 industries and categories.
March 22, 2019
Catching up with Fuad
In the mid-2000s, the music industry in Bangladesh went through a massive change in sound, when Fuad Almuqtadir introduced a unique style of blending genres of folk, rock, pop and electronica, thereby creating a distinctive variety of fusion of Bangla words and music.
March 6, 2019
Not a supporter of art made for propaganda
When Arundhati Roy finally entered the halls at Midas Centre yesterday evening, cheers erupted amidst the waiting audience, accompanied by sighs of relief -- “so, it's finally happening!” one said to the other.
January 28, 2019
In remembrance of Binod Bihari Chowdhury
January 10 was the birth anniversary of Binod Bihari Chowdhury, the anti-colonial revolutionary famous for his participation in the Chittagong Armoury Raid led by Masterda Surya Sen. Binod Bihari passed away on April 10, 2013. This week, In Focus publishes an interview with the revolutionary, which was originally published in The Daily Star's Weekend Magazine in 2010.
January 25, 2019
Always Remember, Never To Forget: Farewell, Bulbul Sir
A day after he turned 63 years old, Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul posted a picture on his social media profile, asking friends and loved ones to remember him, lest they forget. In the photograph, he seemed to be waiting for a flight to his next destination, carrying his passport, all dressed and ready to face challenges as he always had. Little did we know that the photograph depicted his final farewell, with Bangladesh in his heart and music in his smile. That was the last post he had made on the platform.
January 16, 2019
Mostafa Sarwar Farooki on 'Shonibaar Bikel'
Considered a pathbreaker in the field of Bangladeshi TV visuals and cinema, Mostofa Sawar Farooki seems to be in focus once again for his much awaited film, 'Shonibaar Bikel' (Saturday Afternoon). Recently winning the Fazlul Haque Smirti Award, the storyteller decided to have a quick chat with us about the film and the controversies surrounding it, invented and spread by overrated groups on social media.
December 16, 2018
When music paves the way
In 1971, it was indeed a proud day for many a Bangladeshi when independence was announced. Everyone seemed to welcome the beginning of the Liberation War.
December 5, 2018
An exclusive insight to 'Hasina: A Daughter's Tale'
For renowned ad-film maker, Piplu Khan, opting for a docu-drama after years of making commercials was not an easy decision.
November 25, 2018
Catching up with the Folk Queen
Besides being a household name, Momotaz, dubbed the Folk Queen, represents Bangladesh when it comes to showcasing traditional stories, music and the common people. The artiste drew a large number of admirers, fans and listeners recently at the Dhaka International Folk Fest (DIFF). She took out a little time to chat about her music, her life and more.
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