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Documentary on Biharis screened
Robab Rosan
A 90-minute documen-tary on the Biharis of Bangladesh was screened at the Shauwkat Osman Auditorium of Central Public Library in Shahbagh, on Wednesday.
The 90-minute documentary titled 'Swapnabhumi' or The Promised Land' was directed by Tanvir Mokammel and cinematographed by Anwar Hossain and edited by Mahadeb Shil. The background music was done by Syed Shabab Ali Arzoo.
The film, produced by Kino-Eye Films, focused on the pathos of the Urdu-speaking people in Bangladesh by narrating the history of their migration from India and also their present condition.
A large population of the Muslim community migrated from India and went to Pakistan to live after the creation of the country, as a safe land for the Indian Muslims after the independence from the British rule in August in 1947 and afterwards. As most of them came from the India state of Bihar, they are commonly the Urdu speaking people who are commonly called the Biharis.
During Pakistan, they settled mostly in commercial and industrial areas, including Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Shantahar and Syedpur. As they were getting privileges from the Pakistani government the community could not participate in the political movements of the Bengalis. Particularly, their attitude was negative in the Language Movement and the country's war of independence.
These two brotherly communities engaged in fighting and massacre before and after the war.
Over three decades after the country's war of independence, the Biharis or the Urdu speaking people are mostly living in the refugee camps, established by the UN organisations and Red Cross.
At present, about the 160,000 people from this community have been living in the 116 camps or ghettos in Bangladesh. Their miserable living condition was documented in the film. The director has also described their hope and aspiration. This documentary gave a total picture of the community. He also talked about the people, who were now living in Pakistan and who did not migrate from India.
The film was vocal to the right of the Biharis for the citizenship of them and their right to live here permanently. It also urged to save their rich culture.
The cinematographer and the researcher of the film deserve special mention.
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Zia Hyder receives Munier Chowdhury Award
Cultural Correspondent
Professor Zia Hyder received the Shaheed Munier Chowdhury Award along with Tk 25,000 on Tuesday.
Theatre group, Theatre handed over the award marking the 82nd anniversary of birth of Munier Chowdhury.
To honour the senior theatre activists or organisations for their contributions to theatre, the award was introduced in 1989 in memory of the martyred intellectuals during the war of independence.
The Zakaria Smrity Padak also was given at the same programme.
The award along with Tk 15,000 went to Zoglul Alam, a dedicated theatre activist.
To encourage promising theatre activists, the award was introduced in 1997 in memory of the late pioneering theatre activist, Mohammed Zakaria, who made an immense contribution to theatre since 1944.
The award-giving ceremony was held at the Mahila Samity on Bailey Road in Dhaka.
Professor Mustafa Nurul Islam was present as chief guest while Ramendu Majumdar, Ferdausi Majumdar and Abdullah Al Mamun and others attended the ceremony, with Professor Kabir Chowdhury in the chair.
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Indra Mohan Rajbangshi honoured
Cultural Correspondent
Bangladesh Loko Sangeet Parishad arranged a reception programme for eminent folk singer Indra Mohan Rajbangshi at the Shaukat Osman Auditorium of the Central Public Library in Shahbagh on Monday.
Former secretary of the Bangladesh government Syed Marghub Morshed, folk singer Sabir Ahmed Chowdhury, theatre personality Nasiruddin Yousuff, singer of ganasangeet Fakir Alamgir, singer of Lalon songs Farida Parvin were present among others as guests at the reception programme.
Speakers lauded Indra Mohan Rajnabgshi's contribution as a singer in the field of folksongs. They said that Rajbangshi has been creating a good number of folksingers of different genres across the country since after the country's war of independence.
They further said that the award had not only honoured the singer but also honoured the country as well. The award would also uphold Bangladesh's rich cultural heritage to the people of the other countries, they added.
Indra Mohan Rajbangshi said that the achievement is a great recognition in his life. 'The organisers selected me for my work as a singer, organiser and other activities in the field of music.'
'I feel really happy because I am the first Bangladeshi, who took the award in the first year of the award's inception,' he added.
The reception programme was followed by a soiree of folk and modern songs. Noted singers Subir Nandi, Mohammad Hafizur Rahman, Arif Dewan and Bipul Bhattachaya sang songs while among younger singers Dipti Rajnabgshi and Anima Mukti Gomez participated at the soiree. The singers delighted the audience singing popular songs.
The organisers arranged the programme to celebrate the singer's achievement of 'The Certificate of World Master' from Seoul of South Korea on October 1. The organisers have introduced the award this year for those who have been working in the field of art and culture across the world.
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Drama serial To Let by Matia Banu Suku
NTV aired 26 Nov the first episode of new drama serial To Let. The following episodes (a total of 26 episodes) will be aired regularly on every Monday at 8:20 pm. Produced by Chaos Seven, the drama serial is written and directed by Matia Banu Suku.
Morshed owns a three storied building, living in the first floor. His only son is Tarek, who is often in much embarrassment by 'still nagging' divorced wife, Anita. House maid Khodeza also lives in the same flat, whose only major task is to frequently paying visits to all the flats and gossip. The entrance gate is kept by a watchful janitor Ramiz, even a cockroach can't evade his watchful keeping. A 'bird trainer' named Munir lived at the attic. The third floor is occupied by customs officer Azad and his wife Sabiha and daughter Diba. Sabiha's only interest is watching TV and showing off the new gifts she receives from her husband to other tenants through Khodeza. The ground floor is kept locked; the tenant named Jahir is out of trace for more than a year and half. But one day he shows up too.
No tenant manages stay here for a long period. They just come and go upon the likes and dislikes of the wife of Morshed, Reshma. And this is the reason why a 'To Let' sign hangs on the main entrance gate yearlong.
The cast includes: Dr. Inamul Haq, Swagota, Litu Anam, Shusoma Sarkar, Jenny, Hindol Roy, Shamima Naznin, Shamim visti, Ahmed Rubel, Rosy Siddiqui, Sayed Shuvro, Sonia Jafar, Wahida Mollik Jolly, Richi Solaiman, Shahana Sumi, Azra Mahmud, Joya Ahsan and others.
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Morshedul Islam to make Priyatameshu
Cultural Correspondent
Noted filmmaker Morshedul Islam takes an attempt with his new film Priyatameshu. The film, based on a novel by Humayun Ahmed, will be made on digital format.
'I will shoot the film on digital format to reduce the costing, said the filmmaker at a briefing on Tuesday night.
'It is encouraging that many producers are coming forward to financing on digital format films, said the director adding 'Shooting of the film begins on December 2'.
'The plot of the film revolves around two young girls and Mimi and Saba will play these roles. I believe, they will do justice to the script, said the director.
'I will release the film in the cinema halls and no premiere will be held on televisions, he added.
The film has been scripted by Barkatullah Maruf and different roles will be played by Afsana Mimi, Sohana Saba, Toukir Ahmed, Arman Parvez Murad, Diti, Dilara Zaman, Mamunur Rashid, Masud Ali Khan, Humayun Faridee and others, the director told the press.
I am really delighted to be associated with the film and I love the script, said Afsana Mimi. I will do my best to do justice to the script, she added.
Lesser Vision will produce the film.
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Exhibition on archaeological heritage
Cultural Correspondent
An exhibition on the country's archaeological heritage titled 'Entity ... Sketches of Heritage' by Sajid-Bin-Doza Bonny will begin at the Alliance Française at Dhanmandi in the city on December 3.
Noted artist Rafiqun Nabi will inaugurate the exhibition at 6:00pm on the day. Jacques Bounin, deputy director of Alliance Françsise and AKM Shanawaz, professor of archaeology department of Jahangirnagar University will be present as special guests.
The exhibition will remain open from 9:00asm to 12:00pm and 5:00pm to 8:00pm everyday (5:00pm from to 8:00pm on Saturdays) till December 16.
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