The New Nation - Internet Edition

Solo flute recital by Ustad Azizul Islam

Entertainment Report

A solo flute recital by Ustad Captain (Retd) Azizul Islam was held at the National Theatre Stage of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on May 10.

The programme was organised by the Department of Dance and Music of the Shilpakala Academy.

Director General of the Academy Bhuiyan Shafiqul Islam, theatre exponent Sayeed Ahmed and musicologist Dr Karunamaya Goshwami spoke at the programme.

The discussants at the programme emphasised on the history of 'Banshi' as a wind instrument. They also evaluated Ustad Azizul Islam as a flute player.

Once a captain of a merchant vessel, Ustad Azizul Islam has some remarkable achievements in classical banshi recital in an era when Bangladesh lacks quality musicians, they said.

Ustad Azizul Islam played 'Raga Marwa' - a melancholic tune usually played in the evening - accompanied by Pandit Bijon Chowdhury on 'tabla' and M Jahangir Alam on 'tanpura.'

The presentation lasted about 30 minutes. The presentation began in slow tempo and gradually picked up.

Another attraction at the programme was improvisation on popular folk tune 'Banshi Shuney Aar Kaaj Nai.'

The event wrapped up with the presentation of a 'Dhun' performed by Ustad Azizul Islam. Sunil Kumar Das played 'Dotara' as the flutist improvised on a 'Bhatiali' tune.

The film of Sweety: Bashi

Entertainment Report

The premier show of film 'Bashi,' which is directed by Abu Sayed, was arranged in a TV channel at Pahela Baishakh. Actress Sweety has performed in a different character in the movie. Though it was a film of 35-camera, it seems to watch the film is that it's a full-length telefilm. Many say that the sequences, which can express by 35 camera, it did not reflect in the film 'Bashi' and there was no specialty in the performing of Sweety. But before releasing the film, Sayed informed that he is satisfied with the acting of Sweety. Sweety is not telling anything in this regard. She was very much hopeful for the film.

Banglalink sponsored Rabindra Joyonti in Khulna

Entertainment Desk

Recently Rabindra Joyonti was celebrated in Khulna. The traditional cultural festival at the national level was established as one of the largest cultural festival of the country, this year Banglalink has partnered with it.

The formal inauguration was held by Anwarul Iqbal, Adviser to the Caretaker Government as chief guest along with Babul Huq, Regionalk Commercial Head of Banglalink who was also present as special guest on the occasion.

The Khulna district administration organised the Rabindra Fair, which was took place from May 8 to 10 at Tagore's father-in-law's house in Fultala in Khulna. The festival started 50 years ago to observe the birthday anniversary of legendary poet Rabindranath Tagore traditionally takes place on the second week of May every year.

To celebrate the event, hundreds of poets, musicians as well as thousands of visitors from all over the country gather at the Rabindra Complex situated at Dakkhindihi under the Fultala Thana of Khulna.

This year was also alike. The event included Tagore's song, poetry, drama and dance performance with the participation of famous artistes, trade fair and others. Banglalink, the second leading telecommunications service provider in the country, has always participated and patron such local activities all over the country.

New photographic rental opens in Hollywood

Entertainment Desk

Jon Gorr, owner of fStop Photographers, Inc. has recently renovated the company's photo studio in Hollywood, FL and is now offering the studio as an affordable rental studio for local Florida photographers and travelling photographers as well.

The 285 sf space is ideal for headshots and smaller shoots with multiple painted wall (deep red, medium grey, black, white) & seamless paper backdrops. Rental rates include the use of Eilenchrom 400BX strobes, Digipopper 300 strobe, Alien Bees ring flash, 2 soft boxes, snoot w/ frid/gels, Chromakey screen, and 9' wide paper backdrops, Pocket Wizards, rental Nikon and lenses as well as a freshwater lake location with bridges, dock, Japanese gardens, hot tub, and lush landscaping.

Rates start at $65 @ hr.

Photos and additional info at fstopPhotographers.com

Serial Nupur

Entertainment Report

On May 22, a new serial named 'Nupur' is going to be started. Mannan Heera has made the script from the novel of Dr Neehar Ranjan Gupta.

Aruna Biswas and Mithu Biswas jointly have made the drama. Aruna Biswas, Pijush Bandapaddhay, Shoeb, Mishty, Mousumi Biswas and so on performed in the drama.

Amit and Monimala are the husband and wife. For the pressure of the Monimala, Amit brought an almira from an old palace, and kept that in another room of them.

From the bringing day of the almira, they started to hear the tune of Nupur. They got afraid and kept those in that place. But after some days Monimala died by dancing by wearing the Nupur. Amit got amased and he goes to the palace again and hears the real story of the Nupur.

Nana Patekar to play 'Lord Krishna’ in 'Rajniti’

Entertainment Desk

Prakash Jha has accumulated a formidable cast of actors for his next directorial venture "Rajniti" that blends contemporary Indian politics with chapters from the "Mahabharata".

"Ajay Devgan will play a modern day Karna. And, believe it or not, Nana Patekar, who was fantastic as the corrupt politician in 'Apaharan', has been cast as Lord Krishna," Jha said.

"Rajniti" will be the most expensive film Jha has ever produced. Also in the cast are Viveik Oberoi and Manoj Bajpai. "These are actors I've not worked with before. I'm looking forward to directing them. "Ajay and Nana are old friends. We share a fantastic comfort level." In fact, recently the Marathi Nana and the Bihari Jha participated in a debate on the anti-north Indian campaign led by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray in Maharashtra on NDTV.

After the debate, Raj Thackeray apparently rang up Jha for presenting a balanced view.

"Raj is a friend and an intelligent, educated man. I truly believe artistes need to rise above politics. I make cinema on politics, but I'd never be part of it.

"Likewise Nana, who was so stunning as a wily politician in 'Apaharan', will I'm sure be equally adept at playing Krishna in my 'Rajniti'," said Jha, who has the politically charged film "GangaaJal" to his credit.

The crucial question before Jha now is to find a suitable actor to play Arjun. The character, as conceived by Jha, modernises the mythological elements from the "Mahabharata".