Writings
Names those will be written in tears
A year has passed. Before we knew it, 2024 is now behind us. The Earth has once again orbited the Sun. So many words and stories have accumulated over the past year. In the new year, a new story will begin. However, some names will not be part of that story. This past year, we have lost many dear people. Some have lost family members, while others relatives. Even if they weren’t family, there are people who connect with us in such a way that they become like close friends, or even family. At the end of the year, their names are recorded in the annals of memory. Newspapers have published tributes to them under the heading, "Those We Lost This Year." It seems like just a list of names, numbers, and individuals. But their contributions to our arts, literature, and culture are so significant that they can’t simply be captured in a biographical account. Even though they have passed from our sight, their names continue to be written in our tears.
Hollywood’s dirty little secret
The allure of fame often comes with a darker side that many celebrities struggle to navigate. Amid the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, the pressures of maintaining a public image, relentless media scrutiny, and the demands of the entertainment industry usually lead some stars down to a path of substance abuse.
Even small reasons for divorce are not insignificant
Let's start with an event from this year that gained significant attention last April. Brazilian football star Kaká's ex-wife, Caroline, revealed the reason behind their divorce. She mentioned that Kaká was so perfect as a person that she had to make the decision to part ways. This statement naturally left many people surprised. Some might have even thought for a moment if they were reading it wrong. Indeed, if someone is completely perfect, why would there be a divorce? Caroline made this remark many years after their separation, when both had moved on to new relationships.
Budget for culture has increased, yet it is disappointing
I was engaging in gossip with some writers and thinkers at Batighar bookstore in Dhaka, yesterday evening. A professor-writer, who has returned from abroad, said that for going forward in the literature-culture-intellectual arena of Bangladesh a large number of world literature ought to translate into Bengali. Not only literature, books on science, economics, research, technology all need a lot of translation. Then another writer made a funny comment, a thousand crore rupees should be allocated in the budget for translation. Another writer frowned and said, a thousand crores indeed is not a very big deal right now!
Cinema: in Muslim countries
Cinema. The word "cinema" holds immense breadth and influence nowadays. It can shape preferences or be shaped by them, influencing the majority of film production worldwide. While many films are made with the aim of catering to general audience tastes or reflecting the values, beliefs, and responsibilities of their creators, not all films reach a wide audience. Some remain unknown to a specific number of viewers. Moreover, various countries have different sets of regulatory constraints influenced by cultural values, ideologies, taboos, and religious ethics, which sometimes constrain the freedom of cinema.
Priyo Manush: Portrait of an ABM Helal
Indeed, individuals often perceive their own existence through the reflections provided by others. The portrait of a person's life is most vividly depicted in the eyes of friends, relatives, companions, and colleagues. For individuals who are writers, researchers, travelers, and publishers, their scope of self-expression is naturally broader. As companions, they form close bonds with those friendly individuals who can eloquently showcase their accomplishments and endeavors, much like crafting a bouquet of a hundred flowers.
22nd DIFF: One of the most successful editions
The Dhaka International Film Festival, or DIFF, was the only international film festival I knew. in my youth. The memories of standing in a queue to watch movies in the open space of the public library are still vivid in the minds of many. The public library is now being demolished for a new building. So the National Museum is now the main venue of the festival. However, there is no gathering of pedestrians as the general public has to enter through the security zone. Movie lovers are different; they watch movies from morning to evening and chat.
The pros and of the award debate
Two things are trending on social media: 1. Controversy over a story about human sexual identity in a seventh-grade textbook, and 2. Bangla Academy Award. Both are associated with books or knowledge. It is a good sign that people are talking about books and knowledge on social media. However, the discussion about who has won the Bangla Academy Award in different genres of literature this time has been overshadowed by the fact that fiction writer Zakir Talukder returned the award ten years after receiving it. Therefore, in this article, we would like to examine the pros and cons of the Bangla Academy Award debate.
Dhaka International Film Festival was vibrantly alive in this winter
Every year in January, the weather in our country is relatively cold. And this year, the winter is more intense compared to the past years. Amidst the winter, I took the metro from Sher-e-Bangla Nagar to Shahbag. The sole purpose - to watch a film at the Dhaka International Film Festival. It's not just about watching a movie actually. Even meeting with familiar friends seems to have another purpose. However, this time at the fair, I didn't come across someone familiar to such an extent. And many of the festival organizers are new faces to me. Since there was no hassle with tickets this time, I went inside to watch the movie after checking the schedule. Inside, at the Sufia Kamal Auditorium in the National Museum, there is no vacant seat. Effortfully, I managed to find a seat. After the movie ended, I met with some familiar faces, and I also had the opportunity to meet with the festival director, Ahmed Mujtaba Jamal.
Benevolence of hundred moonlights
At that time, I was a rural journalist. I did not bow down to anyone in the world. I used to roam around with the UNO, OC and engage in discussions with politicians. I used to wander with them. In exchange for reporting news, I took money from them.
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