Art and Culture
Nurul Amin, though Bengali, played a disgraceful role against Language Movement
Ahmed Rafiq (born 12 September 1929) is a veteran Language Movement activist and a Rabindra researcher, as well as an essayist, poet and columnist of repute.
Bogura Theatre Poribar, Dhaka: Inauguration and cultural evening
Bogura Theatre Poribar, Dhaka, inaugurated its new executive committee at a ceremony, followed by a cultural performance titled 'Natya Sutre Badha'.
Multidimensionality in M Shahinoor Rahman’s folklore research
Professor Dr M Shahinoor Rahman has established himself as a distinguished scholar of folklore through his interdisciplinary research, which spans folk narratives, literature and ethnographic studies. From re-evaluating Shakespeare’s works through a folkloric lens to his original explorations of Fakir Lalon Shah and the Khasi community in Bangladesh, his scholarship demonstrates a deep commitment to the study of folklore. His research reflects not only engagement with theories of folklore but also ethnographic skill, symbolism and an understanding of how cultures survive and adapt.
Pablo Neruda, who could bleed with every word
Nobel laureate poet and revolutionary Pablo Neruda was one of the greatest and most influential writers of the twentieth century. Today, 23 September, marks the 52nd death anniversary of this world-renowned figure. He took his name ‘Pablo Neruda’ from the celebrated artist Pablo Picasso and the eminent Czech writer Jan Neruda.
"The caged bird has flown away": Farewell to Lalon geeti pioneer Farida Parveen
Birds take flight without anyone knowing, no one senses it. Just a gust of bad wind against the cage, and its wings are set free into the endless sky.
Wish I could live a little more for the sake of song
Renowned folk singer and “Lalon’s daughter”-famed Farida Parveen passed away today, Saturday (13 September), at 10:15 pm. She was 71. Born on 31 December 1954 in Singra, Natore, she spent 55 years with music. On 24 January 2025, she visited the Views Bangladesh office, filling it with her vibrant and and versatile songs and conversations. During that visit, she spoke about her musical journey, Lalon songs, and various aspects of the Bangladeshi music scenario. That conversation was published in two instalments on 27 January and 8 March 2025. A few days later she fell ill. The Views Bangladesh family kept in touch with her while her condition was deteriorating. But now she is gone. Today, Views Bangladesh republishes her final interview for its readers.
Syed Mujtaba Ali’s language learning and his humour
One of the finest novelists, short story writers, translators and humourists in modern Bangla literature is Syed Mujtaba Ali. He was born on 13 September 1904 in Karimganj of Sylhet, then part of Assam in undivided British India. A large part of his education was spent at Santiniketan. There he learnt Sanskrit, English, Arabic, Urdu, Persian, Hindi, Gujarati, French, German, Italian and several other languages. For study, employment and simply out of a passion for travelling, Mujtaba Ali roamed many countries of the world. In humorous writing he was unmatched in Bangla literature. Today, 13 September, is the day of his passing. From the 'Syed Mujtaba Ali Rachanabali" published by Student Wage, five incidents are presented here for readers.
The background to Sunil Gangopadhyay becoming a poet
No one kept their word, thirty-three years have passed, no one kept their word” or ‘For a long time I have had a wish to buy a mountain”—these are lines that immediately bring to mind Sunil Gangopadhyay. Though his literary life began with poetry, it was as a novelist that he gained immense popularity.
Why teen movie 'Superbad' included in the top 100 films of the century
The selection panel included Oscar-winning directors Pedro Almodóvar, Sofia Coppola, Barry Jenkins, Guillermo del Toro, and actors Julianne Moore, John Turturro, among others. Streaming services and superhero blockbusters have radically changed the way films are watched and thought about in the past 25 years.
Salutations to you, conversational poet Shaheed Quaderi
If one were to ask, who was the most passionate conversationalist among Bengali poets, one of the first names that would come up is poet Shaheed Quaderi. At one time, Shaheed Quaderi himself was synonymous with adda (casual intellectual gatherings). It was said of him that he could strike up a conversation even with a lamppost. The poet himself said, “I am an immigrant addabaj (conversation enthusiast).” He would lead the adda himself. Where did the adda not take place—Beauty Boarding, Rex Restaurant, the home of novelist Rashid Karim, the home of poet Shamsur Rahman, the office of educationist Fazal Shahabuddin, office of the magazine Sandhani, and Purana Paltan—everywhere. Adda was held regularly.