The New Nation - Internet Edition

Concert for Nayantti held

Entertainment Report

When we think of a seven-month old, the first impression we get is of a playful child who is smiling and playing. But not all are so lucky. Samia Mahjabin Nayantti, a seven-month old is suffering from Biliary atresia, a rare condition in newborn infants in which the common bile duct between the liver and the small intestine is blocked or absent.

When first detected she was taken to Chennai for treatment but after the operation it was found that she needed a liver transplant. The procedure is very expensive and the estimated cost is around Taka 25 to 30 lakh.

To raise funds for Samia, eminent band musicians performed at a concert at Gulshan Youth Club Field on May 30. The event, titled Fund Raising Concert for Samia Mahjabin Nayantti, featured performances by some of the leading bands and talented musicians of our country.

Sponsored by IDS group, the event was jointly organised by Raef Al Hasan mostly known as Rafa, vocalist and drummer of the band Aurthohin and his friend Hasibul Islam Shaibal, a member of Alternation band.

The event kicked off with Yaatri on the stage. Yaatri opened the programme with the song 'Ke Daakey,' the title track from their first album 'Daak.' Next, Topu rendered 'Bolbona' and 'Ekta gopon katha.' Other songs performed by Yaatri included - 'Meye' (the recent hit track from the album 'Bondhu bhabo ki'), 'Nupur' and 'Miththey prem.'

Powersurge performed 'Aprostut juddho' (the title track from their debut album, scheduled to hit the market mid-June), 'Ognisnan,' Jatra, Mithther agrashon, cover of 'Master of Puppets' of American thrash metal band Metallica and more.

Popular band, Black performed some of their popular songs - 'Poitrish,' 'Obinoshshor?', 'Shorabodho,' 'Alapon,' 'Abar' and more.

Next on stage was Fuad, one of the leading music composers of the country. Fuad was accompanied by Shubho (the first D'Rockstar), on vocal; Rafa on drums, Maher and Faisal on guitars and Ratul on bass. The group performed four songs from three albums. 'Jongli' and 'Tor jonyo bonyo' from 'Bonno' - 'Gotimoy' from 'Maya' and 'Nitol paye' from 'Variation 25.'

Aurthohin delivered an energetic performance. Songs by the band included - 'Chaitey paro' (from the album Drubok), 'Itihash' (from Aguntak 3), 'Nirbodh,' 'Protichhobi,' 'Tomar jonno' and more.

Shumon has mastered some innovative moves while playing bass, some of those were seen at the performance.

The last performer of the day was Warfaze. Warfaze performed 'Hotasha,' 'Beoyarish,' 'Dhushor manchitro,' 'Joto durey,' 'Hariyey tomakey.'

The programme was supported by G-Series, while radio partner was Radio Foorti. Event management was done by Oxyfair entertainment. All the performers and artistes performed at the programme voluntarily.

'I don’t think people want a good girl’

Neha Uberoi

Entertainment Desk

It was Sanjay Gupta's niece Neha Uberoi's 23rd birthday on Thursday. And she was getting a birthday gift no 23-year old could hope for. A startling launch in Woodstock Villa where she plays the complex role of a kidnapped lonely wife who develops a relationship with her kidnapper.

Alas debut film's producer Sanjay Gupta and Sanjay Dutt.

Obviously no one even remotely associated with Dutt's newly launched production house showed up at the premiere on Thursday night.

Neha's father Dharam Uberoi who used to work for Gupta's White Feather and is now closely associated with Dutt stayed away from the premiere.

"There was no question of attending the premiere even if it was my daughter's big day. I've my entire life to devote to her happiness and career. Yes, I regret I couldn't be there for her. But I've moved on. I wish Mr Gupta all the best in life."

Neha confused but excited tried to put up a brave face. "I don't even want to think about these things. I just want to concentrate on my premiere night and my career. As far as Woodstock Villa is concerned I've no complaints. I got a launch any newcomer would die for. I play a kidnapped wife in my very first film. And I'm happy for the unconventional launch. I don't think the audience is interested in a new girl and boy holding hands and running across pristine meadows in slow motion. Not that my launch is entire unconventional."

I've four songs in Woodstock Villa. And I've my father and Mr Sanjay Dutt's expertise in the business to guide me. So no regrets at all."

Not even for the fact that her rather-attractive voice was dubbed in her debut?

"Well…that is rather unfortunate. But being dubbed is not a new experience film for me. I've done two Telugu films where I couldn't speak my own lines. But I've dubbed for myself in my next film Hindi film EMI (which is produced by Suniel Shetty's Popcorn Entertainment) and in Soham Shah's Luck. I leave for South Africa to shoot for Luck with Imran Khan (Aamir's nephew). So I've a lot to look forward to," she said.

As for bringing in her 23rd birthday Neha was a good girl all the way. "I brought it in with my family and retired early because I knew I had a big long night the following day for my premiere," she said.

Nikhil, Amrita & Harman, what’s cooking

Nikhil, Amrita

Entertainment Desk

Nikhil Dwivedi who had been maintaining a low profile after the release of My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves was spotted with Harman Baweja and Amrita Rao at a suburban swanky Chinese restaurant.

The threesomes were spotted together having a ball of a time at the Chinese restaurant! One wondered what they were upto? Only if we could go close and overhear them it would have made a chatpata copy for sure a la a spicy Chinese dish!

But a friend who was present there spills the beans and reveals that they were busy discussing the promos of Love Story 2050 that marks Harman's debut. The source also revealed that Amrita was heard raving about Nikhil and said that she considers Nikhil to be one of the most talented newcomers she has worked with so far.

Chhayanaut launches 'Waheedul Haque Sangeet Prabrajya’

Entertainment Report

To Chhayanaut goes the credit for promoting Rabindra Sangeet. In particular, Waheedul Haque's name should be mentioned as one of the front liners in this genre.

To go with Waheedul Haque's philosophy, Chhayanaut launched a new programme, titled 'Waheedul Haque Sangeet Prabrajya.' Jatiyo Rabindra Sangeet Sammilan Parishad will join hands with Chhayanaut to make the programme a success, while Habib-Khairunnesa Smriti Foundation will provide the funds.

A musical soiree was held at the Chhayanaut Sangskriti Bhaban on May 30 prior to the launching of the Sangeet Prabrajya. Chhayanaut artistes performed Tagore songs at the programme.

General Secretary of Chhayanaut, Khairul Anam Shakil briefly highlighted the activities of the Sangeet Prabrajya.

He said, " The activities will begin soon in different parts of Bangladesh with the help of the Sammilan Parishad and Habib Khairunnesa Smriti Foundation. Initially the activities will be conducted on a monthly basis. " The endeavour of the Prabrajya is to develop young Tagore enthusiasts all over the country."

Initially four Tagore artistes were selected to conduct the Sangeet Prabrajya. The artistes are Mansura Begum, Nilotpaul Shadhya, A T M Jahangir and Azizur Rahman. Each of the selected artistes for the Prabrajya will be called Sangeet Paribrajak (Music Voyager). Apart from these four artistes, Fahmida Khatun, Rezwana Chowdhury Bonya, Mita Haque and Laisa Ahmed Lisa also expressed their interest in the programme.

Among others, Bulbul Islam, general secretary of JRSSP and Captain M Rahman of Habib-Kahirunnesa Smriti Foundation spoke at the programme. M Rahman also recited excerpts from Rabindranath's poem Prithibi.

The musical soiree got off to a start with the rendition of 'Lakkhi jokhon ashbey' by veteran artiste Fahmida Khatun. She also rendered 'Shey aamar gopon kotha.' Azizur Rahman rendered 'Aami kaan pethey roi' and 'Aanmona.' Nilotpaul Shadhya sang 'Ekoda ki jani kon punner' and 'Pipasha hai nahi mitilo.' Mansura Begum rendered 'Toma lagi aankhi jagey.'

Partha Tanvir Noved, Bulbul Islam and Lily Islam rendered 'Aami kebol swapon korechhi bapon,' 'Hridoy aamar prokash holo' and 'Ki shur bajey aamar praney' respectively. The musical soiree ended with a group rendition of 'Tomar shurer dhara.'

Apurbo, at C category

Entertainment Report

Model Apurbo is acting in a drama named 'Hai Hai Company'. Apurbo got break one by one in the starting of his career. But now he is not getting break like that. The advertisement makers are not calling him for some of his personal attitudes. Some ad makers do not like him, because, at the first time he was very much moody.

Now his career is downward. He is performing is some C category drama as the side character.

Nothing to do, something is better than nothing. The matter got the priority to Apurbo.

TV Watch: Fatema-Tuz-Zohra in 'Waiting for Baby’

Fatema- Tuz- Zohra

Entertainment Report

On the occasion of Children's Day, Channel i aired a special play, 'Waiting for Baby,' starring eminent Nazrul singer Fatema- Tuz- Zohra, on Sunday night at 9:35 pm.

In the play, Fatema playsed the role of a grandmother who awaited for the arrival of her grandchild, son and daughter-in-law.

The story depicted the beautiful relationship between a grandmother and her grandchild, a bonding of unconditional love and sincerity. At one point of time, she discovered that her grandchild was actually an adopted one. From there the story unfolded.

Asked about how she bagged the role, her response: "The director, Raju Alim thought I had the right personality for the role."

Talking about her experiences of working in the play, she said that it was challenging to deliver the dialogues with the appropriate expressions and body language.

But, it was a wonderful experience and she would definitely like to act again if she can squeeze in time.

The cast included Tauquir and Farah Ruma in two of the major roles of the play.