Literature Eid Special 2018
Bangabandhu’s speech at the national literature conference in Bangla Academy
Honourable president [of Bangla Academy], president of the reception committee, guests from abroad, representatives from the diplomatic corps and the respected audience,
The General’s Time
She woke up to milky streetlight spilled on the bed, his exposed neck in its creamy glow. The dark dip between the wings of the collar bones a misshapen waking eye. Keeping watch. She shifted the weight off her right shoulder to turn to the other side. The shoulder was pulsing a heart-beat rhythm of pain. Pain unlike the kind he had brought on a million of his people. A million pairs of hands that would swim oceans, leap mountains, brave war-zones, to switch places with her. For access to that throat. She landed softly on her left. It was time for the other shoulder to share the pain.
Poetry / Next Time, Tell Me
There’s no other way but to go numb. But then the excruciating job is to make oneself un-numb.
On Literary Matters
There are many platforms that integrate writers and poets. But somehow, academics are only thought of when one becomes a celebrity. Literary Matters, an online literary discussion series, was launched by The Daily Star in May 2022 with the thought of bringing in the up-and-coming academics who are also involved in other creative and intellectual areas.
Star literature eid special issue, 2018 / This Land is My Land
Aahana took short agitated steps around the back courtyard of her house. She paused for a few seconds, to clear her head which was spinning, either because of the circles she was taking around the yard or because of the information her husband had given her the that morning.
STAR LITERATURE EID SPECIAL ISSUE, 2018 / The Literary Club of 18th-Century London
We Bengalis think that no one can match us for our addas. If you were growing up in Dhaka in the 1950s or the 1960s and happened
Star literature eid special issue, 2018 / Okja: A meat-lover's nightmare
Don't watch Okja if you are one of those with big plans of making the best out of all the surplus meat that will dip into your deep fridge.
Jahanara Naushin's “Jadukar” / The Frog Eater
The dark rain clouds gradually spread across the blue expanse of the sky. The earth was engulfed in darkness. The rain started pouring. It was not a storm, though the wind blew in violent gusts.
EDITOR'S NOTE
Over the past one year, I have greatly enjoyed my role as part of the team at Star Literature, first as deputy editor, and now as editor.
TWILIGHT DANCE ("Godhuli Sandhyar Nritya")
Where at the end of the earth lie scattered A cluster of patios—silent—in ruin—
The Emperor's New Clothes
This is no doubt one of the most enjoyable stories in Anderson's collection – brief, uncomplicated, hilarious. It's only recently that I began to have doubts about its purported significance. Let us begin by reminding ourselves of the salient features of the tale.
Name Me Not
It was a crisp midday. The scorching sun sat right in the middle of the sky, watching over the homebound school children.
Falling into Lakes & Other Misadventures in P.E.
When I first came to the US for college, I was perplexed by the physical education requirement: we had no such thing in Bangladesh.
The Machete of the Goddess
Sometimes when there is no rational explanation behind certain happenings, we call them supernatural. There might actually be some justification, but they elude our sense of logic.
The Marriage Proposal: A True Story
When my son turned into a marriageable age, all our friends, relatives and acquaintances started asking the inevitable questions, “When will he get married?”
Naked, Lonely Hand (Nagna Nirjan Haat)
Darkness thickens on the sky once more, Light's enigmatic sister— this darkness.
Old Delhi, New Experiences
I hope that you are well in London town — and that you are missing me! Let me say at the outset that this message comes to you
