The New Nation - Internet Edition

Nazrul Mela at Channel i

Nazrul artistes perform at Nazrul Mela at Channel i
office at Tejgaon in the city on May 25.

Nazrul artistes and visitors gather at Nazrul Mela
on May 25 to celebrate 109th birth anniversary of Kazi
Nazrul Islam.

Entertainment Report

May 25 marked the 109th birth anniversary of our National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. His works - poetry, songs, features, essays and more - played a great role during the movements against the British Raj. During the Liberation War his songs and poetry inspired the nation.

To celebrate Nazrul Jayanti, Channel-i organised a daylong 'Nazrul Mela' at its Tejgaon office on May 25. This was the second Nazrul Mela by Channel- i.

The event was inaugurated at 11:00am. As a symbolic gesture, 'Munia' birds were set free by renowned artistes and media personalities. Among others, artist Hashem Khan, Managing Director of Impress Telefilm Ltd, Faridur Reza Sagor, veteran Nazrul singer Sohrab Hossain, poet Asad Chowdhury and writer Imdadul Haq Milon attended the inauguration. A performance by the artistes of Nazrul Sangeet Shilpi Parishad followed.

Performances were held at an open stage, named 'Nazrul Mancha' at the office premises, as well as an indoor stage.

Solo performances were held on the indoor stage while the group performances by artistes of Nazrul Sangeet Shilpi Parishad, Nazrul Institute, Udichi, Wrishiz, Sursaptak, Surbihar and other cultural organisations were held at the open stage.

Khalid Hossain, Ferdaus Ara, Sujit Mustafa, Shelu Baua, Yakub Ali Khan, Barkat Hossain, Dinu Ahmed, Bijon Chandra Mistri, Nawshin Laila, Sharmin Shathi Islam, Jannat-e-Ferdousi, Rahat Ara Geeti, Laila Afroz, Kazi Arif and others sang and recited poems at the Mela.

At the programme, artists - Hashem Khan, Jamal Ahmed, Biren Shome, Alokesh Ghosh, Abdul Mannan and others painted on the theme 'Nazrul.'

The Mela had 20 well-decorated stalls by various organisations, including Nazrul Academy, Nazrul Institute, Srabon Prokashoni and Impress Audio Vision. The stalls featured books on Narzul's works. There were also stalls featuring some rare photographs of the poet.

Though the Mela was inaugurated which much enthusiasm, intermittent rain throughout the day disrupted the event. Veteran artiste Ferdausi Rahman attended the mela. She said, "Last year I was overseas and couldn't attend the 'Nazrul Mela.' However, I did watch the event live on TV with my grandchildren."

Faridur Reza Sagor said, "The main reason behind organising the event is to celebrate the birth anniversary of our National Poet in a festive manner. Through initiatives like this, we want to take Nazrul to the world."

"Programmes like this can generate interest among generations who are living abroad and have little or no idea of our culture," he said.

Sharing his views, writer Imdadul Haq Milon said, "Both Nazrul and Rabindranath are iconic in our culture. Celebrating their birth anniversaries is a positive move by Channel-i."

The Mela had something to offer to everyone. Children drew and painted on the theme 'Nazrul' at an art competition held at the Mela.

This year Channel-i presented the 'Nazrul Mela 2008 Aajibon Shommanona' to Nazrul artiste and exponent Sohrab Hossain. The veteran artiste received a cash prize of Tk 10,000. As part of the award, the artiste will receive Tk 10,000 from channel-i every month from now on.

Nazrul Mela was aired live on Channel-I on May 25.

Producer Jhamu Sughand passes away

Entertainment Desk

For everything there is a season, like for everything there is a reason

For every break down there is a build up;

For every tear, there is a smile;

For every silence, there is a time to speak;

For every hate, there is a time for love

For every war, there is a time for peace

But for every Jhamu Sughand, there is …………

"It is the fact of Bollywood that everything else can be replaced but not everyone. Jhamu Sughand happens to be one such man. It is indeed shocking to even think about it, but then, the fact remains that the inevitable has just happened. Bollywood's most prolific Producer Jhamu Sughandh, is no more. He embraced death in Juhu Hospital today at around 11.20am, due to brain haemorrhage.

Jhamu was responsible for producing films like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Aks, Filhaal, Kaal Purush etc. His last project happens to be Jaane Tut Ya Jaane Na, which also happens to be Aamir Khan's magnum opus gift for his nephew Imraan Khan. Bollywood Hungama's heartfelt wish for this man is that May His Soul Rest in Eternal Peace.

Tisha is a cheat!

Entertainment Report

Few days ago Tisha had cheated by her husband. Then she had passed a very bad time. But now she has also started to cheat. Her abet is Hasan Masud. They are planning for a new way to cheat. They will go to every ones home, and then they will cheat every one. No need be panic because it's not true. This is a story of a play.

The name of the play is 'Sangbidhibadho Sotorkikoron'. The play is written by Siddikur Rahman and directed by Md Mostofa Kamal Raj. Recently in the mega serial '420' she had acted in a deceived Character. Btu now deceive Tisha is going to play a cheat character. Tisha said that, three years back I had played brother and sister role with Masud bhai in 'sixty nine'. Now we are going to husband and wife characters. What ever is the role, I feel comfortable to act with Masud bahi. He is a great actor. I think we will do fantastic job. Every body will enjoy the play.

Kabir Sumon presents 'Jibonmukhi Gaan’

Entertainment Report

On Fridays, the busy city life shifts into a slow gear. Last Friday (May 23) many music aficionados gathered at the National Museum to enjoy a solo performance by Kabir Sumon. The main auditorium was packed; some waited outside hoping to get tickets. A local organisation Chirkut organised the programme.

Sumon alone was on the stage with a guitar and a harmonica. A keyboard was also placed on the stage, which Sumon played with two or three songs.

The artiste began with a rendition of Anek din por abar chena mukh. The song could also refer to the fact that it was Sumon's first solo concert in Bangladesh after a gap of 10 years. The artiste did perform in a couple of programmes with others.

His next rendition was O gaanwala. "Singing in Dhaka is certainly a pleasant experience. Sabina's (Yasmin) well being adds to that bliss." Sumon dedicated the programme to the memory of Begum Sufia Kamal and Language Movement veteran Abdul Matin.

Next, the artiste rendered Oito lokkho chhele meye, a song Sumon wrote and composed on Begum Sufia Kamal. "I was introduced to Begum Sufia Kamal in 1996 at Asaduzzaman Noor's residence," Sumon said at the programme.

Sumon's music is characterised as "Jibonmukhi Gaan" - - a genre that addresses contemporary issues. One of his recent albums highlights the violence in Nandigram, a small village in West Bengal.

One after another, Sumon performed Shal Banglar beray agun, Janan dichchhey Nandigram and Rasta aatkey debo themey jabey shob. The highlight of the programme was Sabina Yasmin's performance. The seasoned artiste rendered Kemon achho, a song composed by Kabir Sumon. Though the audience requested the diva to perform more, she left the stage soon after the song.

"This is Sumon's solo programme and it should remain so," said Sabina. Sumon also sang some of his familiar songs including Haal chhero na bondhu, Jatiswar and Kotota poth peroley. The curtain came down with a rendition of Tomakey chai. Ekushey Television was the media partner of the programme.

Priyanka’s red-hair days

Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra is making waves not only for her involvement with the new kid on the block, Harman Baweja but also for hopping into the future in a completely new avataar in her upcoming sci-fi release Love Story 2050.

"I am very excited about the film. It's a double role, they are entirely two different characters. It was challenging," said Priyanka.

But what's with the red hair? Priyanka says her character demands it. But didn't the idea of dyeing her hair it freak her? "Oh my god. Can you believe asking someone to colour their entire hair red. I was like no way, but then Mickey wanted it and so did Harry sir," she said.

Love Story 2050 will also mark the launch of another star-kid Harman Baweja or should we say Hrithik Baneja.

Priyanka is quick to clarify, "Everyone compares a new comer, but I think they are totally different. The only thing commom is that they are extremely hard working."

-NDTV.com

Madge and her 'Guy’ heading for a civilised separation?

Pop star Madonna has given momentum to the speculations regarding the 'supposed' problems in her marriage by appearing at the Cannes red carpet with her furious looking husband in tow.

According to reports, Madge and her husband of eight years Guy Ritchie are headed towards splitsville At the Cannes event the couple seemed to be indifferent towards each other as Guy was seen standing woodenly besides the Hard Candy girl.

The incident has for sure added fuel to the persistent rumours that their apparently strong marriage is on the rocks.

Indeed, Guy gave every appearance of being a man who had been forced into his designer tuxedo and paraded at yet another high-octane celebrity party for the benefit of marital solidarity - when he would have preferred to be down at the pub with his mates instead.

Insiders close to the couple have gone full swing in the media with statements that designate that the couple has struck a deal to support each other's careers in spite of their differences. Various newspaper reports suggest that they are just together till they get apart, meaning that both have agreed to make the split appear as mild as possible.

Though the major reason of the disagreement is not known, but by looking back at their relationship one can say that the couple have clashed previously too on many things including- Madge's devotion to the Kabbalah Jewish sect, her controversial decision in 2006 to adopt baby David from Malawi and, more recently, when Madonna was forced by Guy to scrap plans to adopt a baby girl from India.

Madge's friends have apparently said in the press that the couple have been living virtually separate lives since the start of the year and have even divided their homes into his and hers quarters so they can avoid each other.

There are also indications that Madonna is now planning to live in New York. It is believed that an impending world tour is what is stopping Madge from making the announcement. The same goes for Guy who is weathering a difficult time in his career after a series of flops.

Going by the current situation of both, one can say that negative publicity would be the last thing on their minds. It seems Madge has finally had enough of her 'Guy', not only her junior in age but in many other ways too!

- Zeenews