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Nirvana: enlightenment with
a feminine touch
Towheed Feroze
The exhibition promises works by women artists from different countries and so, the flavour is international. And, just like the title, the works do offer the viewer a chance to experience a re-awakening. But, from a different perspective, the title may also mean the coming of age of the works of female artists. Perhaps, the suggestion is that artwork by women have reached a crescendo. Whatever it may be, the bottom line is that once a viewer stands in front of an assortment of works being exhibited at the Alliance Francaise de Dacca, s/he is literally taken in by variety. From wood carvings to sculpture to paintings depending heavily on Fauvism, this show presents all.
It may be clichéd, but here is an exposition that thrives on novelty. And, if we carry on in that line, the piece 'Memories' by Ferdousy Priyabhashini stands out with its incredible potency. A battered window surrounded by bricks, this is a work that captures memories of the past the way they usually come back to us - rusty yet powerful.
The whole work has an aged look about it but then memories are seldom fresh.
It takes a lot of aesthetic wrangling to get into the meaning of sculptures but Ivy Zaman's 'Dream' does not challenge the imaginative compartment of the common viewer. Indeed, unlike most installations, this is a work that does not conceal its meaning within an impenetrable piece.
Influenced heavily by Fauvism, Nazlee Laila Mansur's work, 'Flower Boy' has a lot of colour but the piece also carries an undertone of sarcasm. It appears that, somewhere, the artist is trying to mock something. Is she referring to the free mixing of society carefully coated with vacuous morals and a thin veneer of Puritanism? Maybe, but there is no denying that this work sends a disturbing feeling. Nevertheless, the attraction is overwhelming. Nazia Andaleeb Preema's piece, Staring Women is a work that relies heavily on mystery and with a lot of black, has captured a Hitchcock style intrigue. The Teahouse Blues by Australian artist Kate Faulds is a work worth mentioning and here, the artist uses a dreamy shade of blue. Extremely therapeutic, one has to contend.
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Qayyum Chowdhury's 75th birthday today
Cultural Correspondent
Today is the 75th birthday of eminent artist Qayyum Chowdhury his well-wishers and admirers will him Happy birthday today.
He is one of the foremost artists of Bangladesh who has contributed in the field of Bangladesh art and has created his own way of expression.
He has portrayed the history, culture and heritage of Bangladesh on canvas. The images of rural Bengal come alive on his canvases. His use of different shades of green makes the images lyrical.
He also depicts the images of the country's war of independence using vibrant red. The valour of freedom fighters and their victory as well have come vividly on his canvas.
Rural women, peasants and the landscapes of Bangladesh also dominate his works.
The Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts will arrange a celebration programme including a two-week painting exhibition of this master artist at its gallery in Dhanmondi.
Titled 'Recent Past', the exhibition will be inaugurated today at 5:30pm by Jahanara Abedin. She will also launch a portfolio of the artist.
Eminent artist Murtaza Baseer and litterateurs Syed Shamsul Haq and Hasan Azizul Huq will be present as special guests.
The exhibition will remain open from 12:00pm to 8:00pm till March 23.
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Schedule of plays at theatre festival
March 9: Jatiya Natyashala, Mandar by Prachyanat, Dhaka, Experimental Theatre Hall, Chena Gayer Kechchha by Anushilan Natyadal, Rajshahi
March 10: Jatiya Natyashala, Cyclewalla by Natyachakra, Dhaka, Experimental Theatre Hall, Sattandha by Tirjak Natya Goshthi
March 11: Jatiya Natyashala, Dhibar Gantha by Natyalok, Sirajganj, Experimental Theatre Hall, The Dwarfs by Dhaka University, Dhaka
March 12: Jatiya Natyashala, Neel Mayurer Jouban by Shabdabali Group Theatre, Barisal, Experimental Theatre Hall, Siddhidata by Loko Natyadal, Dhaka
March 13: Jatiya Natyashala, Dudh Kumarer Pala by Sarathi Natya Sampradaya, Rangpur, Experimental Theatre Hall, Bibhajan by Jiban Sangket Natyagoshthi, Habiganj
March 14: Jatiya Natyashala, Anyagazir Anyakissa by Natyajan, Dhaka, Experimental Theatre Hall, Rajkabi by Ananya '79 Natyadal, Kustiya
March 15: Jatiya Natyashala, Gazi Miyar Bastani by Jahangirnagar University, Experimental Theatre Hall, Sondar Alir Pala by Gobindaganj Theatre, Gaibandha
March 16: Jatiya Natyashala, Rupabati by Subachan Natya Sangsad, Dhaka, Experimental Theatre Hall, Sonar Baran Kanya by Theatre (Topkhana), Dhaka
March 17: Jatiya Natyashala, Janame Janmantare by Desh Natak, Dhaka, Experimental Theatre Hall, Balad by Theatre (Arambagh), Dhaka
March 18: Jatiya Natyashala, Eksha Basta Chal by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Experimental Theatre Hall, Jaladas by Dhaka Padatik, Dhaka
March 19: Jatiya Natyashala, Kalapani by Padakshep, Gaibandha, Experimental Theatre Hall, Muktadhara by Rangpur Natya Kendra, Rangpur
March 20: Jatiya Natyashala, Neel Samudrer Jhar by Cox's Bazar Theatre, Cox's Bazar, Experimental Theatre Hall, Matiyal by Faridpur Theatre, Faridpur
March 21: Jatiya Natyashala, Binodini by Dhaka Theatre, Dhaka, Experimental Theatre Hall, Jalpari by Abayab Natyadal, Dhaka
March 22: Jatiya Natyashala, Sampannaiya by Uttaradhikar, Chittagong, Experimental Theatre Hall, Montong Kathan by Kheyali Group Theatre, Barisal
March 23: Jatiya Natyashala, Chhayanat by Nagarik Natya Sampradaya, Dhaka, Experimental Theatre Hall, Koibarta Gatha by Bibartan Jessore, Jessore
March 24: Jatiya Natyashala, Khanchar Bhitar Achin Pakhi by Nagarik Natyangan (Ensemble), Dhaka, Experimental Theatre Hall, Mukti by Theatre (Bailey Road), Dhaka
March 25: Jatiya Natyashala, Kusum Upakhyan by Swattik Natya Sampradaya, Dhaka, Experimental Theatre Hall, Muchiram Gur by Kathak Natya Sampradaya, Chittagong
March 26: Jatiya Natyashala, Chilekothar Sepai by Udichi, Dhaka, Experimental Theatre Hall, Thikana by Oikik Theatre, Narayanganj
March 27: Jatiya Natyashala, Debater Gras by Sanglap Group Theatre, Dhaka, Experimental Theatre Hall, Prajapati by Natya Kendra, Dhaka
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Today's film at Chalachchitram
Cultural Correspondent
On the concluding day of the Chalachchitram Film Festival, the organisers will screen 'The Motorcycle Diaries' (126 minutes, 2004) by Walter Salles of Brazil today at 3:00pm at the Shaukat Osman Auditorium of Central Public Library in Shahbagh.
The organisers will also screen 'Swapner Din' (89 minutes, 2004) by Buddhadev Dasgupta of India at 5:00pm and 'Khelaghar' (123 minutes, 2006) by Morshedul Islam of Bangladesh at 7:00pm at the same place.
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Casting Tagore in a new light
Faizul Khan Tanim
'I am not originally a singer...I just sing because I love music', said Sahana, at the launch of her début album, 'Notun kore pabo boley' earlier this week at the Bengal Gallery in Dhanmondi. Perhaps it was such humility that stirred the audience to listen even more avidly to her musical soirée. Her voice was pure magnetism and she blew away the audience with her live set of songs, mainly from the new album.
When asked about the title of the album, she explained that it was because she sang 'contemporary renditions of old classic songs, always discovering more and more layers to the songs as [she] worked'.
Prof Firdous Azim of BRAC University, who hosted the inauguration ceremony, recalled emotionally how Sahana used to hum while wandering along the corridors of the English department and how magical it was to see the transformation from that casual singing to this beautiful album. Through her use of a variety of instruments including the guitar and esraaj, we have the impression that we, too, are rediscovering the words of Tagore.
Sahana harbours a life-long love of Rabindranath Tagore. She has been singing his songs since childhood under the tutelage of her father who was a scholar of Tagore's literature and music and she later went on to train at Santiniketan, in Indian classical singing and the songs of Tagore, under Swastika Mukherjee, Bijoy Sinha, and Chitra Roy. As a student she regularly took part in theatre and dance productions of works by Tagore.
Speaking to the predominantly young members of the audience, the conclusion seemed unanimous: Sahana's album will definitely encourage us to go back to our roots.
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Nandini celebrates founding anniversary
Cultural Correspondent
The founding anniversary of Nandini Sahitya O Pathchakra, a literary organisation, was held at Mahila Samity auditorium on Friday last with poet and critic Abdul Mannan Syed as the chief guest, says a press release. Syed in his speech called for building a good society for the next generation in which women could play a significant role. He extolled the contribution of Nandini Sahitya O Pathchakra in promoting literary activities in the country.
Syed Ahmad Ali Aziz presided over the function, while Sultana Rizia delivered the address of welcome. Writer Anamika Huq Lily and social worker Selina Khalek spoke among others.
The daylong programme consisted of three phases. In the second phase a discussion on literature was held with Dr. Khaleda Salahuddin in the chair. Chief guest and special guest were Dr Ashraf Siddiqui and Dr Habiba Khatun, respectively.
Barnali Chowdhury, Akhtarn Nahar Alo, Firoza Mary, Nahar Ahmed Tahmina Quraishi conducted the session of reading poetry, short story and essays in which poets and writers from home and abroad participated.
As is customary annual event, this year too Nandini Sahitya O Pathchakra awarded medals of honour to Nilufar Begum, Khoshnoor, Jamil Akhtar Binu, Hanufa Imdad, A K M ruhul Amin, Rebecca Asad. Ashraf Foundation gold medal was awarded to Hanufa Imdad, Khoshnoor, Sarah Banu Shuchi, Rokeya Chowdhury, Sufia Begum, Lutfunnahar Hashi and Jahan Ara Jani.
At the outset of the function "Maupassant" by Indian poet Jayanta Bhaduri and "Khelar Anushanga" by poet Nirmal Krishna Mukherjee were launched
Nandini's new executive committee is headed by Syed Ahmad Ali Aziz, while Sultana Rizia is the general secretary.
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Oracle programmes to be
aired on Boishakhi
Rafi Zahed
An agreement signing ceremony between Oracle Communications Ltd and Boishakhi Media Ltd took place at a restaurant on March 7. Under the agreement, Oracle will create and produce new programmes which will be aired on Boishakhi channel in mid April 2007.
The ceremony was attended by officials from both organisations and media personnel. Safina Rahman, chairperson of Oracle expressed her thoughts regarding what they aim to achieve through this agreement. She discussed about the quality of programmes that they will produce for the channel. 'We want to create programmes which will have a positive impact on the viewers', she further added.
Dilruba Haider, managing director of Oracle was also present at the press conference. She said that Oracle's aim is to create shows which will be both entertaining and informative. She also talked about the various programmes they planned to air. Muhammad Masum, director of Oracle also attended the event.
Hasina Ahmed, head of programmes of Boishakhi, mentioned that their channel believes in practising and promoting the cultural heritage of our country.
K.M Shahidullah -managing director of Boishakhi, Morshed Alam - chairman of Boishakhi were also present at the conference.
Oracle is an upcoming media and Telecommunication Company committed to serve the cultural and IT sector of the country.
Boishakhi television commenced its transmission and operation in late 2005. The channel has stepped into the second year in 2007. The channel firmly believes in upholding the values and cultural tradition of Bangladesh, which suggests why the company decided to name the channel 'Boishakhi'.
Some of the programmes that will be shown are Dilruba Haider Show- a talk show, Janatar Katgorai - a public forum show which will be hosted by Golam Murtoza, acting editor of Shaptahik 2000 and a drama written by prominent dramatist Masum Reza. Another show will be conducted by Farida Parveen- the renowned folk singer.
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Theatrewala hits bookstalls
Cultural Correspondent
The eighth anniversary issue of theatre magazine titled 'Theatre-wala' hits bookstalls in the city.
This quarterly has been dedicated to the memories of eminent music guru the late Waheedul Haque.
The authorities of the magazine have printed a poem titled 'Ek Je Chhilo' written by Waheedul Haque and the poem 'Bandhab Tomar Janya' by Shamsur Rahman.
Noted theatre personality Mamunur Rashid has written an article 'Ekale Boro Socrates'.
Among others, 'Nataker Waheedul Haque' by Mofidul Haque and 'Amader Sei Waheed Bhai' by Biplab Bala are also included in this issue.
This issue also includes a review on the play titled Rupabati and interviews of eminent playwright Selim Al Din and actor Abdullah Al Mamun.
Shafi Ahmed has written on Nepali theatre and Dr Tapan Bagchi has written on the participations of women performers in jatrapalas in Bangladesh.
Information on the plays staged last year is also given in this issue.
The magazine is priced Tk 25.
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