Art and Culture
Bangladesh’s art treasures deserve a global stage: Clare Hindle
Clare Hindle, Founding Director of the World Art Foundations, has shared her insights with Gallery Cosmos on Bangladesh’s art scene, highlighting the country’s remarkable treasures and diverse ways to connect people globally.
Farewell to Anjanda in the ocean of memories
The news of Anjanda’s passing came as a shock. Unbelievable. It’s hard to accept that filmmaker Zahidur Rahim Anjan, our beloved Anjanda, is no longer with us. We will no longer see him at Aziz Market, Shahbagh, or at various film festivals and seminars.
All state affairs must be conducted in mother tongue
I think that sometimes the enemy acts as a friend while committing enmity. The attitude towards the enemy softens when the enemy refrains from committing enmity or shows some generosity. Such a position of the enemy is not only confusing, but also harmful. Only an intelligent enemy has the capacity to create such confusion in the mind.
No use at all levels, genuine hurdle of Bangla as language
For the past few years, it has been stated in the written articles and audiovisual media of Bangladesh that the Bangla language has become as polluted as the rivers of the country. This pollution is reportedly mainly happening in three areas: 1. Standard Bangla pronunciation in English or dialectal style, 2. Using English-Hindi-dialectal words instead of Bangla words while speaking, and 3. Spelling distortion. The finger of blame has been pointed at various private media outlets including FM radio. The reality is that even though standard Bangla is spoken in the media with so-called pure pronunciation, speaking the Bangla language in an English accent or mixing English words in Bangla will not stop. People do not learn the language by listening to FM radio, FM radio wants to attract the attention of its customers and listeners by broadcasting programmes in the language they speak, in the interest of profit.
'Chaingja: Khrang' staged in Bandarban after decade
After a decade, the play 'Chaingja: Khrang' was staged in Bandarban, organized by the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy’s Training Department as part of the First Munir Chowdhury National Drama Festival-2025.
Wish to depart after contributing to humanity
The environment of my early childhood was quite the opposite. It was highly conducive to growing up with a healthy, vibrant mind. I was the eldest son in the family. My oldest sister—whom we referred to as "Boro Apa"—was eight years older than me. When she was five years old, my second sister was born. The entire family was eagerly awaiting a son, so the birth of two consecutive daughters left everyone very disappointed. The one most upset by this was my older sister herself. She was furious that her sibling was another sister instead of a brother. In her frustration, when my second sister was only about one and a half to two years old, she tried to suffocate her by stuffing a bicycle pump nozzle into her mouth and attempting to pump air into her.
Art exhibition 'The Story of Art' kicks off
An art exhibition titled "The Story of Art" organized by Dhaka Storytellers has begun at Aloki Greenhouse in Tejgaon link road in the capital since Friday. At the exhibition paintings of 28 renowned artists of the country have been placed.
I make films based on what I think, believe, and want to say
Renowned Bangladeshi filmmaker Fakhrul Arefin Khan made his directorial debut with Bhuban Majhi (2017), which received government funding. He later directed Gondi (2020) and JK 1971 (2023). Additionally, he created the documentary Hok-er Ghor on Lalon Sai. In 2020, he won the Best Dialogue Writer award for Gondi. His upcoming film, Neel Jochona, is currently in production. In an exclusive conversation with Views Bangladesh, Fakhrul Arefin Khan discussed his filmmaking journey, thoughts, and the state of the film industry. The interview was conducted by Farzana Sarzin Orchi.
Commercial cinema suffocates while alternative films struggle for viewers
During a professional conversation with filmmaker Kazi Hayat, he remarked that different types of films would always exist in the industry—some would attract massive audiences, while others would represent the country abroad and win awards. This explanation cleared a long-standing dilemma in my mind. While alternative films may amass awards, they rarely draw large audiences to theaters.
Fear hinders free speech in the country
Theater figure Mamunur Rashid is a playwright, actor, and director. He is one of the key pioneers of the post-independence theater movement in Bangladesh. He has also written and directed numerous television plays, alongside acting in many of them. In recognition of his significant contribution to the theater, he was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2012. Although he received the Bangla Academy Award in 1982, he rejected it in protest against autocratic rule. Recently, he talked to Views Bangladesh about the country's political landscape, the humiliation of artists and writers, and the narrative against the Liberation War. The interview was conducted by Girish Goiric, Associate Editor of Views Bangladesh. The final part of the three-part interview is being published today.
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