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Bhanu Singher Padavali delights audience
Dyuti Monishita
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and dance group Bhabna jointly organised Rabindranath Tagore's dance drama, 'Bhanu Singher Padabali', in the academy's National Theatre Hall on Wednesday. This admirable work of Tagore is about the love story between the mythical characters of Radha and Krishna.
'Bhanu Singher Padabali' is one of Tagore's first literary works, which he started writing when he was 16-year-old and completed it in his next seven years. This particular work of his was written in Moithili which is an ancient form of language in the regions of Mathura and Brindavan in India, and the story ends with the lovers' union.
Samina Husain Prema tried to capture the moving love affair between Radha and Krishna, and the joy and despair that Radha felt as she waited for the return of her beloved Krishna. As a dance director, Prema has experimented with the distinctive styles of Indian classical dances such as Bharatanatyam, Manipuri and Odissi. As a skilled Manipuri dancer she was able to make a unique concoction of all these styles and genres, along with splendid costumes and dress-up.
Although her accompanying dancers might not have been able to display an immense talent as far as the rhythm and the mood of the dance, but the whole production was an amazing combination of proficient lighting, lamps, and the indiscernible smoke created the ambiance that portrayed the anomalies that go on between the two soul-searching lovers. Although, Prema could have shown more flexibility as far as her facial expressions are concerned but with her limited facial expression, it was very hard to distinguish between the subtle changes in the moods of Radha.
The music direction had set the mood of the show, from the frolicking Radha with her female companions to her fear for Krishna, and her despair while waiting for him and finally their ecstatic union after Krishna returned to her.
Overall, the production was magnificently classical yet had a slight touch of modernity. This could be a good start to ripen our country's cultural forte. Prema being such a young and talented dancer may need more experience and depth to be a dancing maestro, but she has definitely improved since her last shows where she got many critics. And with more time, she may be able to bring more to our culture and strengthen her grounds as a dancer.
Radha's female companions were played by Sabreena Afroz, Rehnuma Rahman Jayanti, Sumaiya Rahaman Dorothy, Aparna Talukder and Juyeiriah Mouli. The character of Krishna was played by Mehraz Haque Tushar. And his male companions were played by Sayeed Mahbub Reza Mithun, Sajjad Shahriar Swaran, Sheikh Khalid Khalil Swapan and Takrim Hasan Aditya.
Songs were sung by Laisa Ahmad Lisa and the chorus was sung by Lipi Chakrabarti, Dombi Chakrabarti, Sajia Hossain Prati, Aparna Rani De and Shankari Shaha. Poem recitation and presentation were done by Dalia Ahmed. The set was designed by Lubna Marium.
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Photography exhibition begins at Drik Gallery
Cultural Correspondent
A ten-day photography exhibition titled 'My Village, My People', by Mohammad Main Uddin began at Drik Gallery at Dhanmandi in the city on Sunday.
Chairman of the Bishwa Sahitya Kendra, Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed, inaugurated the exhibition as chief guest while eminent photographer Dr Noazesh Ahmed was present as special guest at the inaugural ceremony. Director of ABM Group, Syed Sadat Ahmed, among others, was also present as guest.
'Photographs are the strongest document of the past', said Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed adding 'photographs are more communicative and interactive with the people than the others'.
Talking about the gradual development of photography in Bangladesh, Dr Noazesh Ahmed said, photography has developed a lot in Bangladesh at present. Photography in the country is now considered as a strong medium. He further said that the photographs of the exhibition have taken the images of many of the traditional activities, which are threatened or nearly extinct.
The photographer has caught the images of rural Bangladesh. Among the 40 photographs displayed at the gallery, one is colour and the rest are black and white.
The images show people farming in the paddy fields, taking rest under a huge tree, children enjoying by riding on a merry-go-round at a village fair and the goldsmiths working at the village shop.
He has also taken the images of the people going for fishing walking through a vast and barren paddy field.
He has also documented the artistes performing at the traditional jatra-pala, villagers enjoying traditional wrestling, village women making traditional cakes. Main Uddin has also displayed some portraits of the villagers, both young and elderly.
All the photographs drew attention of the visitors keenly. The exhibition will remain open for all from 3:00pm to 8:00pm till November 14.
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Understanding Islam
Book Review by Syed Badrul Haque
Today Islam is on the spotlight on the world stage when presidents, prime ministers and the ordinary people of non-Muslim countries are eager to know more about Islam. The book under review by Barrister SALAHUDDIN AHMED has illuminated the concept of Allah, the Creator and Sustainer of mankind. Muslims believe that Allah pervades the life of man from the time of his birth until his soul returns to Him at the time of his death.
The book under review contains six chapters. Chapter 1 deals with the traditional concepts about Allah as the Supreme Lord of the world, emphasising His strict monotheistic character and the distinct aspects that flow from it. Chapter 2 deals with the prophets and Messengers of Allah whom He sent to the world to convey His message for the right guidance of mankind. Unlike the Jews and Christians (people of the Book) Muslims believe in all the prophets of Allah, which include prophets Ibrahim, Musa. 'Isa (Jesus) and prophets Muhammad(s). Chapter 3 deals with the Qur'an, the last Book of Allah confirming His earlier Books. Chapter 4 deals with Islam, the religion acceptable to Allah. All the prophets of Allah preached strict monotheism, i.e. Islam, which will prevail over all other religions. Chapter 5 deals with worshipping Allah, emphasising that all aspects of the life of a Muslim is meant for worshipping ('ibadah) Allah. The various modes of worshipping Allah are performing Prayers (salat), Fasting (siyam) in the month of Ramadan and performing Hajj. Chapter 6 deals with the role of Allah as the 'Master of the Day of Judgement' emphasising the importance of the Hereafter (al-akhirah) and the distinction between Paradise (Jannah) and Hell (Jahannam).
The reviewer believes that the readers who have spent some time in the study of Islam, particularly the Qur'an, will find this book interesting and helpful in appreciating the transcendent position of Allah in Islam. Readers who have general interest in Islam will find this book opening a new dimension in their vision for Allah. The book would help Muslims to adopt the role of 'the moderate community' in the challenging circumstances of the twenty-first century. Muslims, 'the chosen people' of Allah and 'the best nation' described as such in the Qur'an needs to adopt the role of 'the moderate community' in the challenging circumstances of the twenty-first century. There is a duty upon Muslims to project that Islam is the same religion preached by the Prophets Ibrahim, Musa, 'Isa and Muhammad (s) who all proclaimed worshipping only Allah, for the right guidance of mankind and establishing peace and harmony in the world.
As an accomplished author of authoritative works like Islam Basic Beliefs, Muslims Life in the Present Day World and Islamic Banking Finance and Insurance A Global Overview, this work in the view of the reviewer is definitely an important contribution on his part. In the broader field of Islam he will also be remembered for his internationally acclaimed work, A Dictionary of Muslim Names. His book Bangladesh Past and Present is an authoritative work on the history of the Bengali Muslims, which is a reference book for the teachers teaching Bangladesh Studies under the Cambridge University O Level.
Salahuddin Ahmed is a Barrister-at-Law of Lincoln's Inn, London, a member of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh and a member of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, Australia. He has taught law in the United Kingdom in the early seventies and later at the Law School of the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia for 25 years. He is a former Visiting Professor at the Law School of the University of North Carolina, United States.
The reviewer is former Public Relations Officer to President, People's Republic of Bangladesh.
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Saving A Jellyfish goes to Canada
Cultural Correspondent
Saving A Jellyfish, a short film by an eight years old girl, Shiropa Purna, has been selected to screen at the Kids For Kids Festival, beginning on November 29 in Canada.
Purna's film will be screened in the Live Action category. Filmmakers aged between 6 and 12 will participate in this category.
The festival will begin on November 29 and will continue till December 2.
In the primary round, the jury of the festival selected 56 films from over 500 films, submitted from several countries.
The festival manager Jo-Anne Vlouni informed the family of Purna that the organiser invites some filmmakers from across the world to attend the festival and this year, Purna has been invited to attend the festival from Bangladesh.
Earlier, Purna's debut short film '5 Finger Puppet' was screened at the 10th International Film Festival of Children and Younger Filmmakers in Australia.
The film was also screened at the A Teen Reel Festival in New York last year and she received a Certificate of Merit for her film.
In 'Saving A Jellyfish, the director, also the script writer of the film, has talked about a simple story of saving a jellyfish, which has been stranded on the sand of the sea shore.
The children, while playing at the beach, save the life of the fish.
'I have wanted to show that life is important,' said filmmaker adding, 'I also think that to save a life is a virtue.'
Cinematography has been done by Khalid Mahmood Mithu while Hira Chakma has worked as the editor of the film.
Purna, who has been considered as the youngest filmmaker of Bangladesh, is now working fro her third film titled Sorry.
A student of class three at Sunnydale School in Dhaka Purna is happy with her latest six-minute short film.
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Hollywood writers' begin strike
Agence France-Presse, Los Angeles
Hollywood writers went on strike Monday despite last-minute talks aimed at ending a standoff between studios and wordsmiths demanding a share of cash brought in from DVDs and online distribution of shows.
'Talks are ongoing but the strike is on', Writers Guild of America spokeswoman Sherry Goldman told AFP.
The strike deadline was a minute into Monday in each US time zone, meaning writers in New York City were the first to walk off their jobs, according to Goldman.
Members of the 12,000-strong union plan to begin picketing Monday morning at major studios in the Los Angeles area and outside NBC studio at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan.
Major motion picture studios and television programs typically have stockpiles of scripts that can insulate them from feeling the effects of the strike for a year or longer. Writers want a greater share of residual profits from television series sold on DVDs as well as percentages of money made from programs shown on the Internet, cellular phones, and other new media outlets.
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