The New Nation - Internet Edition

Shilpakala Academy honours Prof Momtazuddin Ahmed

Entertainment Report

The Department of Theatre and Film of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has taken an initiative to honour renowned theatre personalities since 2006. As part of the initiative, this year the Academy honoured Prof Momtazuddin Ahmed for his immense contribution to Bangladeshi Theatre.

Shilpakala Academy awarded theatre personalities Askar Ibne Shaikh in 2006 and Sayeed Ahmed in 2007.

The programme was held at the National Theatre Stage of the Shilpakala Academy on May 15.

Eminent personalities and organisations from different sectors of culture greeted Prof Momtazuddin Ahmed with flowers.

Abul Kamal Shafi Ahmed, Director of the Department of Theatre and Film of the Shilpakala Academy gave the welcome speech.

Noted TV actor Abul Hayat and media personality Nawazish Ali Khan spoke at the function. Noted educationist Prof Mustafa Nurul Islam was the chief discussant, while Director General of the Shilpakala Academy Bhuiyan Shafiqul Islam presided over the programme.

Renowned theatre personalities including Keramat Moula, M Hamid, Chairman of Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation Nasiruddin Yousuff, President of Sammilito Sangskritik Jote Mamunur Rashid, Chief of Aranyak Natya Dol and Milon Kanti Dey of Jatra Shilpa Unnayan Parishad felicitated Momtazuddin and gave speeches.

"I am honoured and overwhelmed. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has been a great support to my theatrical endeavours," said Prof Momtazuddin Ahmed in his speech. Prof Ahmed is a former director of the Department of Research and Publication of the Shilpakala Academy.

Prof Mustafa Nurul Islam conferred the gold medal, while Bhuiyan Shafiqul Islam handed over a cheque to Momtazuddin Ahmed.

After the award giving programme and discussion, Theatre (Natok Sharani) staged scenes from Momtazuddin Ahmed's plays. In his illustrious career, Momtazuddin Ahmed has directed and written several popular plays. Scenes from 'Shaat Ghater Kana Kori,' 'Ohey Tanchak' (an adaptation of a Moliere satire), 'Khamakha Khamakha' (an adaptation of a Shakespeare comedy), 'Jamindar Darpan' (a re-writing of Mir Mosharraf Hossain's play) and 'Barnochora' were staged at the programme.

Prof Momtazuddin Ahmed is one of the most successful theatre activists in the field of satire in Bangladesh. He was born on January 18, 1935 in Maldaha in West Bengal in India. He completed masters in Bengali Literature.

Prof Ahmed has been teaching Bangla, Sanskrit and European Drama in several non-government and government colleges for over 32 years. He was a Professor of the Department of Bangla at Jagannath University. Now he is a part-time teacher at the Department of Theatre and Music of Dhaka University.

Rabindra Bharati University has included his writings 'Bibaha' and 'Ki Chaho Shankhachil' in its curriculum. Several of his plays are also included in primary, secondary and higher secondary curriculum in Bangladesh.

His vibrant career as a teacher, writer as well as an actor earned him wide recognition but theatre is the most prolific part of his career. He has written 25 plays and directed several of them. Most of his directions and writings were for his theatre troupe - Theatre (Natok Sharani). Apart from plays, he has written several novels, research papers and essays. Professor Momtazuddin Ahmed received Bangla Academy Award in 1976 and Ekushey Padak in 1997.

Nokia & Pangea Day connecting world through films

Entertainment Desk

Pangea Day is a global day of films, music and speakers that was held simultaneously recently, gathering places around the world. Inspired by the 2006 TED Prize wish of Jehane Noujaim, Pangea Day endeavours to bring the world together and promote understanding and tolerance. Pangea Day is a celebration of what unites us, rather than what divides us, via films made by the world for the world.

On May 10, millions of people all over the world came together to watch a four-hour programme of short films, coupled with talks from CNN's Christiane Amanpourn and Queen Noor of Jordan, and with special musical guests. Through the friends of Pangea Day page, anyone anywhere could sign up host their own Pangea Day event or attend an event in their local community.

Nokia actively supports the Pangea Day mission by connecting people across the globe. Through the power of mobile technology, Nokia gives people a voice as well as platforms to communicate and share every day. For the Pangea Day broadcast on May 10, Nokia made it possible for people to capture their stories by distributing free video-enabled Nokia mobile devices to film schools and refugee camps, where stories of universal human truths - like love, laughter, sorrow or hope - transcend background and place to bring people closer together.

Nokia organised the 2008 Nokia Mobile Filmmaking Awards, which ran from March 19 to April 30. During that period people could submit their short videos to ovi.com/pangeaday. On May 6, Nokia announced the five finalists in the 2008 Nokia Mobile Filmmaking Awards was screened on May 10. In addition to the trip to the Los Angeles event, the winner received a mobile filmmaking trip of a lifetime to the Rwandan Gorilla Reserve and a production budget to record their trip.

Though submissions for the 2008 Nokia Mobile Filmmaking Awards closed, images and films will live on at www.ovi.com/pangeaday where anyone can continue to share his or her experiences about the special day.

TV actress replaces Bipasha Basu

Entertainment Desk

News is spreading far and wide that the sexy siren of Bollywood Bipasha Basu has been replaced by a small screen actor Prachi Desai. It is reported that Prachi has stepped into Bipasha's shoes and signed Abbas Mustan's next thriller Life Partner starring Govinda, Fardeen Khan, Tusshar Kapoor and Genelia d'Souza.

Bipasha was cast in most of the films of Abbas Mustan but this time the director duo has preferred a TV artist to Bipasha. Prachi declared that she is doing the film but at the same time expressed her ignorance of replacing Bips. Prachi aka Bani of Kasam Se after invading Tellywood ventured into Bollywood. She will debut with Rock On opposite Farhan Akhtar.

In films, people will get to see their favorite Bani in a totally new avatar. She will shed her simple, 'gharelu' image and sport a college girl with skimpy and trendy clothes. Prachi is very glad the way her career is taking shape and at the same time quite excited to be cast opposite director turned actor Farhan Akhtar who has in his credit 'Don' and 'Dil Chahta Hai.'

Shahrukh’s IPL jersey on sale

Entertainment Desk

If you are a Shahrukh fan and wish to have his belongings then don't waste any more time and quickly grab the unique opportunity of buying his IPL jersey, which has been displayed at the Reebok showroom worth less than Rs 2000. Not only Shahrukh's, if you are a Bollywood buff and love to adopt the style of your favourite stars and wish to dress in their attire then days are not far as Future Group and Percept Ltd formed a joint venture to sell Bollywood goods at popular malls.

The products will be within the reach of the general public and will be cost between Rs 50 and Rs 500. They will first display their products in big cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Bangalore, Indore, Jaipur and Pune and if it works successfully then they will explore to other places of India.

If this idea does not sound interesting to you then there's another treat coming your way. Actor Suniel Shetty and Creative group's joint venture firm, Creative Crossover Fashions Pvt Ltd, will offer to tailor your clothes and cut your hair in your favorite star's style. "The first two stores will come up in Mumbai and Delhi in June," said Rahul Mehta of Creative Crossover.

Anil Ambani’s big Bollywood ventures

Entertainment Desk

The Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Groups has announced the finalized list of production and distribution of 69 films in 9 languages over a period of 2 years. The films also include the ones in the collaboration with the leading production houses. The list includes the films by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Madhur Bhandarkar, Sahyam Benagal's Farhan Akhtar's Don 'II' and many more.

Let's see if the Ambani charm works with the industry too.