Interview
I wished to be a cricketer, but I became a composer
Sheikh Sadi Khan is one of the most prominent music composers and directors in the Indian subcontinent. He is often called the magician of Bangladeshi music and has gifted the nation with numerous timeless songs. Some of his notable works include “Amar e duti chokh pathor to noy”, “Dake pakhi kholo akhi”, “Hajar moner kachhe proshno rekhe/ ekti kothai shudhu jheneyechhi ami/ prithibite prem bole kichhu nei”, and “Ami chirokal premer-i kangal”. He won the National Film Award in 2006 as Best Music Director for the film Ghani; and in 2010 as Best Composer for “Bhalobaslei Ghar Bandha Jai Na”. For his outstanding contribution to arts and music, he was honoured with an honorary fellowship by Bangla Academy in 2021.
The future never arrives; it is always awaited
As in every year, this year too there was much speculation surrounding the Nobel Prize in Literature. Among the possible contenders was the Hungarian short story writer and novelist László Krasznahorkai, who is also well known as a screenwriter. Born in 1954, this eminent writer won the Man Booker Prize in 2015. Now, at the age of seventy-one, he has been awarded the Nobel Prize in 2025. His novels may be described as belonging to the dystopian genre. His celebrated novel The Melancholy of Resistance was adapted into a film by the renowned director Béla Tarr.
Initiative being taken to brand Dhaka thru art, culture and literature
For the past four decades, the country 's eminent poet Rezauddin Stalin has enchanted readers with his Bangla poetry. Love, protest, humanity and social values have emerged in his work with powerful artistry. Born on 22 November 1962 in Nalbhanga village of Kaliganj upazila in Jhenaidah district, he is the author of many poetry collections, among which Valobasha Tumi (You are Love), Judhdho Noy Shanti (Not War, but Peace) and Ami Tumi Shey (I, You, He/She) are particularly notable. Recently, he has been appointed Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. He spoke briefly to Views Bangladesh about the Academy’s activities, future plans and dreams. Interview has been taken by Shahadat Hossain Touhid, Editorial Assistant, Views Bangladesh.
Jamaat had honeymoon period with both Awami League and BNP
Writer and researcher Mohiuddin Ahmed is at the same time a historian and a valiant freedom fighter. Among those who have written, analysed and researched most on the political context of post-independence Bangladesh, he is one. He is the only political writer in Bangladesh who wrote a book on the 1973 election titled “The Election of ’73”. He has also written “Red Terror: Siraj Sikder and Proletariat Politics”, “Anti-hero Sirajul Alam Khan”, “Awami League BNP: Which Way”, “The Rise and Fall of Jasad: Politics of a Turbulent Time” and many other works. He continues to write on contemporary politics.
Whoever comes to power does not truly want democracy
Writer-researcher Mohiuddin Ahmad. At once a historian and a valiant freedom fighter. He is among those who have written, analysed and researched the most on the political context of post-independence Bangladesh. He is the only political writer in Bangladesh who wrote a book on the 1973 election titled The "Election of ’73". He also wrote "Red Terror: Siraj Sikder and Proletarian Politics", "The Anti-hero Sirajul Alam Khan", "Awami League or BNP – Which Way', "The Rise and Fall of Jasad: Politics of a Restless Time", among other works. He still continues to write on contemporary politics.
Khaleda Zia, Sheikh Hasina became central figures in anti-Ershad movement
Writer and researcher Mohiuddin Ahmad is at once a historian and a valiant freedom fighter. Among those who have written, analysed and researched most extensively on the political context of post-independence Bangladesh, he is one of the foremost. He is the only political writer in Bangladesh to have written a book on the 1973 election, titled The Election of ’73. He has also authored Red Terror: Siraj Sikder and Proletarian Politics, The Anti-hero Sirajul Alam Khan, Awami League and BNP: Which Way, The Rise and Fall of JASAD: Politics of Unstable Times and several other works. He continues to write on contemporary politics.
The nation had to pay a heavy price for the creation of JASAD
Writer and researcher Mohiuddin Ahmed is both a historian and a valiant freedom fighter. Among those who have written, analysed and researched most extensively on the political context of post-independence Bangladesh, he is one of the foremost. He is the only political writer in Bangladesh who wrote a book on the 1973 election, titled Tiyattorer Nirbachan (The Election of ’73). He also wrote Lal Santras: Siraj Sikder o Sarbahara Rajniti (Red Terror: Siraj Sikder and Proletarian Politics), Pratinayak Sirajul Alam Khan (Antihero Sirajul Alam Khan), Awami League BNP Kon Pathe (Which Way Awami League and BNP), JASADer Utthan Patan: Asthir Samayer Rajniti (The Rise and Fall of JASAD: Politics of Turbulent Times), among others. He continues to write on contemporary politics.
Instances of mismanagement and rigging have put JUCSU poll into question
The casting of votes in the Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (JUCSU) and Hall Parliament elections has ended and vote counting is underway. Four panels of progressive students have boycotted the elections, alleging widespread irregularities. Meanwhile, JU unit Chhatra Dal has also boycotted the elections, alleging rigging and brought out protest march. In view of this situation, Views Bangladesh's JU correspondent spoke to JUCSU election observer teacher Raihan Rhyne. The detailed conversation is presented below:
Denying the Liberation War is nothing but stupidity: Badruddin Umar
Vateran writer-researcher and leftist politician Badruddin Umar was born in the city of Burdwan under British India on December 20, 1931. He died today (Sunday) at the age of 94 at a hospital in Dhaka. This interview was conducted by Views Bangladesh on the occasion of his 94th birth anniversary. The interview was published in two parts respectively on December 22, 2024 and January 5, 2025. This interview highlights Badruddin Umar's political philosophy, the fall of the Awami League government, and intellectual thoughts. The interview is republished for the readers of Views Bangladesh.
Why this delay in holding DUCSU election?
Some university teachers are more focused on becoming Vice Chancellors or CEOs than on teaching. This doesn’t happen elsewhere in the world. In Asia, teachers used to be respected like gurus — but now they’re self-serving. Student politics has become anti-student. Who cracks down on protests first? The ruling party's student wing. It’s a kind of proxy system. For example, at Rokeya Hall, members of a student group aligned with the ruling party — along with the police — attacked female students. Before the July uprising, another (now banned) mainstream student organization also carried out attacks. All major student organizations claim to support development but were in power at some point. Let them list what they did for the university. In the 90s, they asked for a museum — and sent DUCSU into one. So when they say “the spirit of the 90s is back,” does that mean DUCSU won’t return? Is that what they’re implying?