Emran Mahfuz

Emran Mahfuz

Poet and litterateur Emran Mahfuz Born on 10th October in Comilla district in Bangladesh, Emran is a son of a veteran freedom fighter Abul Kalam Mohammed Nurul Alam Khan and Bilkish Begum. He is the editor of the literary magazine “Kaler Dhoni” and Star Books-Coordinator in English daily ‘The Daily Star’. He has already published 7 books till 2019.

“Books need to be highlight to elevate a country to the global level”: Abdullah Abu Sayeed

This is how the gradual exchange of literature and culture takes place.

3w ago

Panihar Public Library: A heritage in ruins

A library containing more than 7702 periodicals, encyclopedias and books on literature, religion, poetry, science and economics—all wasting away from neglect.

Rising dollar prices impact book trade

Publishers are fearing that the number of readers as well as buyers will gradually decrease. 

‘I enjoy being alone’: Helal Hafiz

Helal Hafiz has been suffering from glaucoma for a long time, alongside complications with his kidney, diabetes and nerve complications.

Abul Mansur Ahmad saw the world for what it could be

As a visionary and an intellectual, Abul Mansur Ahmad was far ahead of his time.

‘Society is evolving; we have to evolve with it’

Renowned novelist Selina Hossain, after retiring as the director of the Bangla Academy, has recently been reappointed as its chairperson. In a conversation with Emran Mahfuz of The Daily Star, she talks about the academy, the Ekushey Book Fair, society, culture and more.

‘Nazrul initiated our awakening’

Professor Rafiqul Islam was a writer, linguist, researcher and an educationist. He was the first Nazrul professor and director of Nazrul Research Institute at the Bangla department of Dhaka University (DU).

Boi Mela 2021: Huge blows dealt to the publishing industry

Very few visitors were seen on the last day of the Boi Mela yesterday, it being a working day.

Gyantapas Abdur Razzak Essay Competition celebrated

The results of the essay competition organised by Gyantapas Abdur Razzak Foundation, conducted virtually through Zoom, were announced on April 5. Each of the winners has been awarded with certificates and cash prizes.

Boi Mela sees no activity under lockdown

As per government mandated instructions, the Ekushey Boi Mela opened at 12 pm today while the rest of the city observed a lockdown. No visitors were seen at the entrance for the first 45 minutes of opening.

Boi Mela updates as of Friday

The Ekushey Boi Mela, which was inaugurated on March 18, 2021, is stretching out across an expanded space of 1500,000 sq ft to accommodate the 834 stalls allocated to 540 organisations this year.

“Boi Mela-centric love for books poses obstacles for the publishing industry.”

Minar Mansur, the current director of the National Book Centre (Jatiya Grantha Kendro), was born on July 20, 1960 in the Barlia village of Chittagong.

‘Bangabandhu was a man void of vanity, a leader free of ego’

Apart from being a renowned educationist, Dr Fakrul Alam is also an eminent scholar, editor and translator. He has translated Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Ashamapto Attojibon”, “Karagarer Rojnamcha” and “Amar Dekha Noya Chin” (yet to be published).

‘Revolutionary change needed in existing systems’

Prof Serajul Islam Choudhury, a leading public intellectual and academic of the country, talks to Emran Mahfuz of The Daily Star about the government’s handling of the impacts of Covid-19, inequalities and injustices in society, future threats and the need for reforms. The following is a translated excerpt.

A torchbearer of our generation

Prof Serajul Islam Choudhury, a luminary in the field of our literature, has been influencing the spheres of politics, education and media for decades now.

‘Masud Rana’goes to court

Among the most iconic characters of popular Bangla literature, Masud Rana’s name is synonymous with that of its author, Kazi Anwar Hossain.

Eid in 1971: A forgotten chapter of the Liberation War

The year was 1971. Dissent steadily brewing in East Pakistan. The enemy’s brutalities continued well into November. That November, people cried. But they dreamed of victory too. Then Eid-ul-Fitr arrived. How did Muslims celebrate this particular Eid, perched precariously upon a pivotal moment in history?

Participating in Bangladesh Youth Delegation to India

For their seventh batch, Bangladesh Youth Delegation to India, which began in 2012, selected 40 young women and 60 young men in six months. This year, I was fortunate enough to be one of the members.

A CONGREGATION OF DYING BIRDS

Mother-- please don't call me again at the end of day;

Awaiting justice for the Boroitola mass killings

The Pakistani occupation forces with the help of their local collaborators started their campaign of genocide and torture in a planned way from the beginning of 1971, with the aim of suppressing Bengali nationalism.

Nirbachito Galpa: A Reflection of Middle-Class Lifestyle

Abul Hayat is a renowned Bangladeshi actor. Starting with Oedipus in 1969, he has acted in over five hundred plays to date. Not

Of a unique burial ground of 1971

The burial ground of 49 martyred freedom fighters at Dalura of Sunamganj is unique in the country.

1971: A New Horizon in History

“I could hear the incredible voice of Sheikh Muzibur Rahman, 'Make your homes forts. Fight with whatever comes handy. Our struggle will

Bangla College: A Witness to the 1971 Genocide

Though the country was liberated on December 16, 1971, Mirpur was freed much later -- on January 31, 1972. As the area was pre-dominantly inhabited by Biharis, the intensity of killing of Bangalees here was grave. Mirpur was also the last battlefield of the Liberation War.

Abul Mansur Ahmad: A Versatile Genius

It was in a most turbulent period of the history of Bengal that Abul Mansur Ahmad fought hard against social prejudice and religious bigotry.

A Lighthouse of Undivided India

After its founding, Dr Rashmohan Chakravarty and Mahesh Chandra Bhattacharya himself worked to expand it

Alamdanga killing field could have more to say

The Pakistan army's killing field in Alamdanga of Chuadanga could be holding further proof of the brutality of the anti-liberation forces.

May 6, 2023
May 6, 2023

“Books need to be highlight to elevate a country to the global level”: Abdullah Abu Sayeed

This is how the gradual exchange of literature and culture takes place.

November 10, 2022
November 10, 2022

Panihar Public Library: A heritage in ruins

A library containing more than 7702 periodicals, encyclopedias and books on literature, religion, poetry, science and economics—all wasting away from neglect.

October 2, 2022
October 2, 2022

Rising dollar prices impact book trade

Publishers are fearing that the number of readers as well as buyers will gradually decrease. 

September 5, 2022
September 5, 2022

‘I enjoy being alone’: Helal Hafiz

Helal Hafiz has been suffering from glaucoma for a long time, alongside complications with his kidney, diabetes and nerve complications.

September 3, 2022
September 3, 2022

Abul Mansur Ahmad saw the world for what it could be

As a visionary and an intellectual, Abul Mansur Ahmad was far ahead of his time.

February 18, 2022
February 18, 2022

‘Society is evolving; we have to evolve with it’

Renowned novelist Selina Hossain, after retiring as the director of the Bangla Academy, has recently been reappointed as its chairperson. In a conversation with Emran Mahfuz of The Daily Star, she talks about the academy, the Ekushey Book Fair, society, culture and more.

December 2, 2021
December 2, 2021

‘Nazrul initiated our awakening’

Professor Rafiqul Islam was a writer, linguist, researcher and an educationist. He was the first Nazrul professor and director of Nazrul Research Institute at the Bangla department of Dhaka University (DU).

April 13, 2021
April 13, 2021

Boi Mela 2021: Huge blows dealt to the publishing industry

Very few visitors were seen on the last day of the Boi Mela yesterday, it being a working day.

April 8, 2021
April 8, 2021

Gyantapas Abdur Razzak Essay Competition celebrated

The results of the essay competition organised by Gyantapas Abdur Razzak Foundation, conducted virtually through Zoom, were announced on April 5. Each of the winners has been awarded with certificates and cash prizes.

April 5, 2021
April 5, 2021

Boi Mela sees no activity under lockdown

As per government mandated instructions, the Ekushey Boi Mela opened at 12 pm today while the rest of the city observed a lockdown. No visitors were seen at the entrance for the first 45 minutes of opening.