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.
1y ago
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.
3y ago
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.
4y ago
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.
5y ago
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.
5y ago
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.
5y ago
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.
6y ago
TRIBUTE TO OUR LANGUAGE MARTYRS
As blood oozed from the bodies of Rafique, Jabbar, Barkat, Salaam and countless others, the Language Movement
6y ago
November 24, 2016
Dhaka turns into Kalavati Nagar
With the first sun rays gleaming through the thin layer of fog, Dhaka will spring to life. World class artistes - the “Kalavats” - will prepare their string, wind, percussion instruments and vocals and dance to demonstrate their mastery, to express their adulation towards their Creator.
August 27, 2016
Sudhin Das preserving Nazrul's treasure troves
Sudhin Das, renowned exponent of Nazrul songs for over half a century, turned 86 on April 30. Looking back, he has almost single-
August 5, 2016
75th death anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941)
When Tagore came to Rajshahi and Kushtia (1890) to take charge of his family estate, it seemed miles away from the life he was
July 19, 2016
DL ROY Patriotism to the fore
Way back in 1993, I was presented a rare audio cassette with an original song by Dilip Kumar Roy, a celebrated singer of the
May 27, 2016
A LOST SOUL
Nazrul was restless -- a defining trait of his character. He had been granted permission to come down from heaven to his beloved country to see for himself how his devotees were celebrating his 117th birthday.
May 6, 2016
A sparkle that never fades
“Rabindranath was one among the nearly seven hundred occupants at the Jorashanko Thakur Bari, and grew up with thirteen siblings: it was not that easy to be the shining star in an environment such as that,” says Tagore enthusiast and educationist Dr. A.B.M Nurul Anwar.
April 14, 2016
Bangali heritage, Pahela Baishak and Chhaayanaut
It was not so long ago that we stumbled upon Baishakh at home away from home. Grim foggy London was finally waking up to spring.
November 27, 2015
The thundering call of music…
As Tagore refers to viswa veena or the lute of the universe in many of his songs...
September 9, 2015
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.
May 8, 2015
KOBIGURU'S KANIKA
Little did 'Onima' know that her life would be transformed forever when she ventured out after a Baishakhi storm in search of luscious green mangoes.
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