Satyajit Ray: A director's gaze
He created two lasting popular characters in Bengali literature—the debonair detective Felu Da and the brilliant scientist Professor Shonku. The brilliance of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Isaac Asimov neatly packed into one creative mind that was Ray's.
Alauddin Ali and his unforgettable melodies
Initially published on June 15, 2007 It was one of those rare moments when I caught a glimpse of renowned composer Alauddin Ali, oblivious to the world around him, humming a catchy tune he probably just came up with. As I continued working on my songs in Sruti Studio, I occasionally saw him from the other side of the glass window.
The legacy of a legend
It was May 1990. World renowned singer Feroza Begum was on a three-month tour of the United States as part of the first Nazrul Conference in North America. I had the rare privilege of accompanying her on the tour and observing a legendary personality from up close.
Weaving the tapestry of folk melodies
In the shade of the mighty Himalayas, the Torsha, Dhorla and Kaljani Rivers flow gently across the village of Balrampur in Cooch Behar. It was in this peaceful place that Abbasuddin Ahmed, the doyen of folk songs, was born on October 27, 1901 to Zafar Ahmad, a lawyer and Hiramon Nesa.
Begum Sufia Kamal - The lone crusader
Sufia Kamal, (June 20, 1911–November 20, 1999), lived a long and eventful life. She not only witnessed great cataclysms in history but played a major role in empowering women in an oppressive society.
The Forbidden Fruit?
Besides sending a strong message to shady traders, the picture of RAB destroying 40 tonnes of chemically ripened mangoes felt as if the fruit was on the verge of taking the baton of the “forbidden fruit” from the “infamous” apple. Mango lovers fervently hope that this batch would be a drop in the ocean and that the overwhelming proportion of the harvest would instead bring back the smile on our faces.
Sheikh Luthfur Rahman - An illustrious composer
Born in 1920, in Chhoto Bakal village of Sathkhira District, Luthfur Rahman was the son of Sheikh Abdul Huque, a schoolteacher who was proficient in music. At the age of nine, Rahman developed walking disabilities, resulting from acute typhoid. While studying at a convent and later at a local madrassa, his enthusiasm for music led him to abandon studies.
TRIBUTE TO OUR LANGUAGE MARTYRS
As blood oozed from the bodies of Rafique, Jabbar, Barkat, Salaam and countless others, the Language Movement
December 8, 2017
From the Archives: Annisul Huq -- dreamer on a mission
The year 2017 will always have a cloud of grief around it as the country said their final farewell to a galaxy of cultural personalities of the likes of Syed Shamsul Haque, Karunamaya Goswami, Sudhin Das, Kazi Arif, Kuti Monsur, Abdul Jabbar, Razzak, Bari Siddiqui and on November 30 Annisul Huq.
December 2, 2017
The Departure of a Mystic Folk Bard
Folk legend Bari Siddiqui passed away on 24th November, leaving behind a legacy of folk music that will be difficult to replicate by anyone. He was 63 years old, and was laid to rest at his home town in Netrokona. The Daily Star was privileged enough to have an exclusive interview of the great artist a few years ago, where he talked about his life, music and his own philosophy about them.
November 25, 2017
The exit of a flautist and folk legend
Eminent folk singer and flautist Bari Siddiqui passed away around 2am on November 24 at the capital's Square Hospital. He was 63. Following his Namaz-e-Janaza at Dhaka University's Central Mosque and his workplace Bangladesh Television, he was laid to eternal rest at his birthplace in Netrokona after Asr prayers yesterday.
November 24, 2017
Bashir Ahmed - Taking pride in our past
“Bashir Ahmed was one of the chief architects of the golden era of our Bangla music. Since his death in 2014 his musical presence has been a great loss. He was committed to music, and chose this as a profession unlike many who followed it as a pastime. It's a pity that many of our golden melodies will not be heard anymore,” remarked Syed Abdul Hadi, referring to the late singer and music director, Bashir Ahmed, whose birthday was on November 18.
July 7, 2017
Remembering Sudhin Das
Sudhin Das, renowned exponent of Nazrul songs for over half a century, left for his eternal abode on June 27, 2017. A pall of gloom has enveloped the art circuit with his passing.
May 8, 2017
Rabindranath Tagore: Timeless echoes
Standing at the foot of the snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas, Rabi felt an overpowering sense of freedom.
April 14, 2017
Chhayanaut: From a seed to a protective tree
As I entered the red brick Chhayanaut Sangskriti Bhaban in Dhanmondi, I was struck by its magnificence.
March 8, 2017
From bricks to walls: Women torchbearers
One of our favourite pastimes was to gather with our friends on the rooftops and practice broto-chari...with the daily laundry strung as 'tents' off course,” my mother would tell us whenever the women's movement came up in the conversation.
February 23, 2017
The Art of Words
The romantic lyricist Mohammad Rafiquzzaman turns 75. Music organisation Nibedan felicitated the lyricist with a special programme conferring a citation on him, discussion and an offering of his compositions.
December 21, 2016
Abdul Aziz ... going strong with villainous roles
“As the harsh winter gradually settled in the northern region of the country, and time was ripe for harvesting, the jatra troupes were busy setting out large marquees in the open air for the enthusiastic suburbanites," said a nostalgic Abdul Aziz, who has a track record of 500 radio plays and 300 TV plays.
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