The New Nation - Internet Edition

Recalling Shawkat Osman

Entertainment Report

To mark the 10th death anniversary of litterateur Shawkat Osman, Shawkat Osman Smriti Parishad organised a memorial programme at the Liberation War Museum on May 14. Eminent personalities reminisced on Shawkat Osman's life and works. Noted litterateur Selina Hossain said, "Memorial programmes are not enough to know Shawkat Osman. It is important to read all his writings. Shawkat Osman is synonymous with our literature."

National Professor Kabir Chowdhury was the chief guest. In his speech Kabir Chowdhury reminisced his early days with Shawkat Osman.

He said, "I was introduced to Shawkat Osman in the early 1950s. We travelled together to Turkey and Iran. He was a patriotic and brave person. Every country needs extraordinary individuals like him."

Among others, politician Hyder Akbar Khan Rono and artist Sabiul Alam spoke at the programme. Architect Yafes Osman, son of Shawkat Osman, read out several verses, written by him, as homage to his father. Singer Talat Sultana rendered Rabindra Sangeet 'Majhey Majhey Tabo Dekha Pai,' while Rafiqul Islam recited excerpts from Shawkat Osman's writing 'Kalratri Khandochitra.' Prof Bulbon Osman, elder son of Shawkat Osman, presided over the programme. He said, "Shawkat Osman's writing can be related to sociology. His literature should be studied from a sociological point of view."

Shawkat Osman's real name was Sheikh Azizur Rahman. He was one of the leading litterateurs in the last century in our country.

He was born in Hooghly, West Bengal in 1917. He wrote many novels, short stories, poems, drama, stories for children, essays and more.

Shawkat Osman's writings predominantly highlight messages against fundamentalism and chronicle tales of the oppressed. His novel 'Kritodasher Hanshi' - featuring an upsurge against dictatorship - is considered a classic.

Another Shawkat Osman classic, 'Janani,' was translated into English and has been acclaimed in many countries. Osman received the Bangla Academy Award in 1962 and the Independence Day Award in 1997. Shawkat Osman died on May 14, 1998.

Armeen Musa’s 'Aye Ghum Bhangai’

Entertainment Report

Armeen Musa is not a new face at the underground circuit. With two bands underlining her name and a single in the very popular mixed album 'Jhalmuri,' as well as her hit number, the remake of Radha Raman's 'Bhromor Koio Giya;' AM has managed to create a niche for her music over the years. Her debut solo release, 'Aye Ghum Bhangai' from G-Series, is an easy listening 12-track treat for the avid listeners, eight written and 11 tuned by the singer herself.

A deeply personal album compiling her musical endeavours from early years at school till now, 'Aye Ghum Bhangai' is a walk through her life and mind. 'Pakhi,' a composition from her days as the blue haired, head banging, restless fifteen-years old, is a soulful blend of acoustic and electric guitars with soft drumming done by her band, The Grasshoppers. Followed by 'A Minor', mixed by Buno from Bangla and Adil from The Grasshopper, carries a funk, electronic ambience that beautifully balances its flow of words, written by Farhan Sajjad.

The title track opens with catchy guitar strumming, eventually throwing into a set of verses complimented by the humming of drums. One of my personal favourites, owing to Farhan Sajjad's lyrical brilliance, 'Aye Ghum Bhangai' is a simple soulful number that demands and deserves fast paced popularity. Contrary to most solo albums, AM's debut compilation comprise of a cover of Sachin Deb Burman's 'Ghum Bhulechi.' Although much doubts and anticipation were cast over its perfection, 'Ghum' is a moving number, adding to the emotional awakening that characterizes this album. The ninth track of the collection, 'Na Ki Aar' incorporates a very different set of beats (done by Ornob). Another personal favourite, the song is the harmonious intermingling of a haunted state of mind contrasting to a lover's romantic pleadings.

'Jaa Urre Jaa' is a track featuring Mercury Award winning jazz pianist from England, Zoe Rahman and her brother Idris Rahman on the clarinet. Arranged by Buno with orchestral elements, the number embodies a beautiful solo by Idris and very traditional Bengali percussions. The most heart-rending and delicate song, 'Ei Shondhaye' is dedicated to AM's late stepfather, Dr Anis Waiz. Slow guitar strumming (by Saif Quadir) aching to a drift of emotions flowing to her voice; this number speaks of accepting one's loss of someone precious, and realising pain cannot be healed, but is rather resided with forever.

Although I personally feel the album carries a single set of sounds with few noticeable variations, it builds up to one's emotions and weakens the listener in an interesting way. Being an intimate production of AM's own dwellings dedicated to her mother Dr Nashid Kamal and her sister Aashna Musa, the album is something you can hum along to at the darkest hours of night. As mentioned in the inscription of the cover, 'Aye Ghum Bhangai' is a self-awakening journey towards embracing one's truest potentials outside the norms of life.

Nazrul Festival begins May 19

Entertainment Report

To mark the 109th birth anniversary of Kazi Nazrul Islam, the Nazrul Sangeet Shilpi Parishad will hold a three-day National Nazrul Sangeet Congress at the Central Public Library, beginning on May 19.

"The programme will feature music, recitation and dance," said Ferdousi Rahman at a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in the city on Thursday.

"Besides, all the members of the organisation, 10 Nazrul singers from across the country will also perform at the programme," she said.

"It is unfortunate that we do not hear the songs of Nazrul in TV dramas," Ferdousi claimed.

"To popularise the songs of the poet, the prominent singers will visit all the educational institutions and teach the students one or two Nazrul songs," she said. The organisation, established in 2003, plans to make a website on Nazrul and will release a compact disc featuring 600 songs of Nazrul soon.

The programme, sponsored by mobile phone operator Banglalink, will end on May 21.

Abdul Mannan, Khairul Anam Shakhil, Sujit Mostafa and Bulbul Mahalnabish also attended the briefing.

Bangladeshi mime maestro gets break in France

Entertainment Desk

Partha Pratim Majumder, the world famous 'Master of Mime' and dubbed as the 'Emperor of Mime' by the Theatre Reporter's Association of Bangladesh in April, 2008 has recently been successfully selected to participate in a Theatre by the famous French Theatre Organisation call "Artemis" of Paris.

This is the first time ever - historically speaking - that a Bangladeshi born actor has ever been selected after a rigorous interview and audition to play a role in professional theatre not only in France but all over Europe. Partha Pratim is to play a part of an Indian in a theatre, which will have 36 shows all over Europe - Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and others.

Partha Pratim Majumder has been selected from among 45 contenders. This is yet again another big milestone for Bangladesh born 'Emperor of Mime' Partha Pratim.

Partha Pratim Majumder has been living in Paris, France with his wife Jhumu and a son and a daughter for over two decades now. He has been trained under the personal supervision by the world-renowned mime maestro late Marcel Marceau. Before that he studied on Mime from Jogesh Dutta Mime Academy in Kolkata, India. He received his Bachelors of Arts Degree from Dhaka Music College.

Partha Pratim has travelled all over the world and has amazed his audiences and critics alike through his performance of mime. His introduction of "Mimodrama - Nightmare" in to the world of mime is much talked about.

During his recent busy trip to Bangladesh - he expressed his keen interest to build an institution to teach mime to the younger generation and would like to live behind a legacy for the future generation to conquer the world through mime.

Bangladesh is indeed very proud of all the success of its son Partha Pratim Majumder, a living legend - a mime phenomenon and now an actor in to the world of professional theatre.

'No movies only IPL this year’

Entertainment Desk

Preity left for the Cannes Film Festival on Wenesday morning at a time when she's neck-deep in IPL affairs.

"Can't help it, ya," she phoned and groaned groggily from Frankfurt airport. "For two years now I've been the brand ambassador for Chopard and I've to be at Cannes every year, come what May…ha ha pun intended."

Preity has several events lined up in Cannes, but no movies. "There're no movies this year. I'd have liked to bring my film Har Pal. But it isn't ready. If Rituparno Ghosh's Last Lear is shown I'll go for it.

But Chopard will keep me busy for the next three days. I've a red carpet event. Then a dinner organized by Chopard followed by a picnic in the afternoon. I return on May 17 and head immediately for my IPL commitments."

Understandably she's exhausted. "But I'm also exhilarated. The IPL has been a whole new learning experience for me" said Preity accompanied to Cannes by her cousin Inder. What about those who feel the IPL is confusing cricket?

"Not at all! It's such an eye-opener. Players of different age groups and of different nationalities are interacting on one platform. The younger lot is learning from senior international names. Where would they get a chance to do that?"

Angelina Jolie talks motherhood

Fresh from revealing the news to the 'Today' show's Natalie Morales that she and husband Brad Pitt are expecting twins, Angelina Jolie faced the press in Cannes while promoting her upcoming animated film, "Kung Fu Panda."

Angelina was asked how she balances the glitz of celebrity life with the harsh realties she faces while working as a UN Goodwill Ambassador.

"My daily life is not this," Angelina told reporters. "My daily life is staying at home with my kids. There is very little division between that and understanding what's happening in the world, because understanding what's happening in the world is what makes me a better person." As for the decision of where to give birth to the twins, Angelina said she and Brad haven't made up their minds.

"I actually haven't completely decided, but we are thinking of France." she said.

France or not, French culture is a staple in the Pitt-Jolie family, Angelina revealed.

-Internet