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History in the making in America - we welcome As Barack Obama has achieved initial victory in the race and his nomination as candidate of the Democratic Party for the US presidency

Entertainment Report

A 15-day international theatre camp will start at the Shawkat Osman Memorial Hall of the Central Public Library in the capital on June 6.

The People's Theatre Association (PTA) and theatre organisation for children called 'Rakhal' will organise the ninth national camp.

The organisers will also arrange theatre camps for the children of ethnic communities and youths of the country on the same day.

This was disclosed at a press conference organised by People's Theatre Association at Dhaka Reporters Unity yesterday.

Liakat Ali Lucky, Convener of the camp, SM Mohsin, Adviser of the PTA, Rubel Shankar, convener of press and publication of the theatre camp, among other theatre activists were present on the occasion.

A total of 125 children and youth theatre organisations from home and abroad will participate at the 15-day theatre camp, said the organisers.

Cultural Affairs Adviser to the Caretaker Government Rasheda K Chowdhury will inaugurate the programme while distinguished educationist Professor Jillur Rahman Siddiquee will be present as chief guest, said Liakat Lucky.

Chairman of the International Theatre Institute, Bangladesh Ramendu Majumdar, President of Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation M Hamid, Adviser of the PTA SM Mohsin, General Secretary of Sanmalita Sangskritik Jote Golam Kuddus and noted theatre personality Mamunur Rashid will be present as special guests at the inaugural ceremony.

The inaugural session will be followed by a colourful cultural extravaganza.

Nazrul Institute gives Nazrul Padak ’07

Entertainment Report

One of the main tasks of Nazrul Institute is to honour those, who have dedicated themselves towards researching, preserving or promoting the works of Kazi Nazrul Islam.

Since 1985, Nazrul Institute has been honouring dedicated Nazrul artistes and researchers. In this regard, the award giving ceremony for the year 2007 took place at the Main Auditorium, National Museum on June 2.

Nazrul researcher Prof Mohammad Abdul Quayum and veteran Nazrul singer Ismat Ara were awarded for their immense contribution.

Adviser to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs Rasheda K Chowdhury handed a crest, a certificate and a cheque for Tk 50,000 to each of the artistes.

Rasheda K Chowdhury was the chief guest at the programme. In her speech she said, "At present, in an era of globalisation, we are loosing our cultural identity. If we cannot uphold our culture properly for the successive generations, it would be an immense loss."

Professor Rafiqul Islam, chairman of Nazrul Institute Trustee Board, presided over the programme. According to Professor Rafiqul Islam, Nazrul Institute will organise several workshops on Nazrul Sangeet this year, where seasoned artistes will guide upcoming Nazrul singers.

Md Sharful Alam, Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, was the special guest at the programme. Ershad Hossain, Executive Director of Nazrul Institute, gave the welcome speech. Prof Mohammad Abdul Quayum and Ismat Ara expressed their feelings as well.

According to Professor Quayum, he is the first person who discovered that Nazrul's 'Sanchita' was published twice in its launching year.

Prof Quayum has published 25 research papers including, 'Nana Proshongey Nazrul' (2002) and Nazrul Sangbordhona O Onnanya Proshongo (2008) so far. Prof Quayum was one of the trustees of Nazrul Institute. He received a Bangla Academy Award in 1990.

Singer Ismat Ara dedicated herself as a Nazrul singer since 1950s. She is one of the artistes, who worked to promote Nazrul Sangeet in the '50s and '60s. Ismat Ara received Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Award in 2001.

A cultural programme was held after the award giving ceremony. Artistes of Nazrul Institute opened with a group rendition of 'Esho pahari jhorna.'

Noted artistes Yasmin Mustari, Ferdaus Ara, Khalid Hossain and Yakub Ali Khan rendered 'Porodeshi bodhua,' 'Kuhu kuhu koelia,' 'Rimjhim rimjhim jhim' and 'Nilambari shari pori' respectively.

Recitor Mahidul Islam recited Nazrul's poem 'Bidrohi' and Seema Islam recited excerpts from 'Rakkhushi.'

Kaniz Almas in TV commercial

Kaniz Almas

Entertainment Report

Renowned beautician Kaniz Almas, is soon to appear in a TV commercial (TVC) for a telecom company. The TVC highlights the link that is formed between Almas, who plays herself, and her clients with the help of the company's network. Almas has previously made appearances in TVCs for Sunsilk in 1995. Tareq and Neel directed the advertisement.

Not quite at ease on camera, Almas said, "I am not good with expressions, which is why I do not feel very comfortable when facing the camera."

She believes that every individual has the right to look beautiful, and it is the job of beauticians like herself to help people look presentable. "Because of the expansion of media, now people have become more self-conscious," she explained.

I am not pregnant: Aishwarya Rai

Aishwarya Rai

Entertainment Desk

Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Monday denied media reports that she is in the family way.

'I am not pregnant,' Aishwarya, looking as glamorous as ever in a formal black suit, told reporters at a press conference at the PVR Ambience shopping mall here, on the outskirts of Delhi.

Aishwarya, along with her husband Abhishek and father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan, was here to launch the Idea Sarkar Raj Yatra.

She also dismissed reports that the couple had bought a bungalow in Dubai to hide her pregnancy from the media.

"I am sitting here in front of you. So, it is not true that we have got a bungalow in Dubai to hide (pregnancy) from the media," she said.

"We are not expecting a baby. In case we do, we will let you know. We will not rob you of that moment," Abhishek added.

She also clarified that she had not worn Rs 1 million-worth shades in 'Sarkar Raj,' that stars all three of them, as reported in the media earlier.

"I am not wearing a Rs.1 million worth sunglass in the film as reported by the media," she said.

Jagger pays tribute to Bo Diddley

BBC Online

Singer Mick Jagger has paid tribute to singer-guitarist Bo Diddley as an 'enormous force in music' and 'a big influence on the Rolling Stones.'

Jagger said the US rock 'n' roll pioneer, who has died at the age of 79, was 'a wonderful, original musician.'

US blues legend BB King was among other stars to honour Diddley. King said his legacy would 'live on forever.'

Diddley, who was known for his homemade square guitar, dark glasses and black hat, died of heart failure in Florida.

He had a heart attack in August 2007, three months after suffering a stroke, which affected his ability to speak.

Jagger, whose band recorded cover versions of Mona and Crackin' Up, said, "He was very generous to us in our early years and we learned a lot from him. We will never see his like again."

King, 82, said his Grammy-winning contemporary was "a music pioneer and legend with a unique style."

"We always had a good time when we played together," he added. Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant said Diddley's "voice and relentless, glorious anthems echo down through my years."

"This royal shape shifter continues to influence four generations of musicians on a daily basis," he added. And Neil Portnow, chief of Grammy organisers the Recording Academy, praised "one of rock 'n' roll's true pioneers."

In 1997, his 1955 song Bo Diddley was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame while, a year later, he was awarded the Grammy lifetime achievement award.

"He leaves an indelible mark on American music and culture and our deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends and fans," Portnow said.

"The Bo Diddley beat surely will continue on."

'Myth created'

Other stars to pay tribute to Diddley include Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash, The Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr and UK singer Richard Hawley. Hawley told BBC 6 Music: "Without him there wouldn't be any music, the kind of history of music would not have developed as it has."

And Slash told nme.com: "He's a huge hero of mine and the fact that he knew who I was a huge compliment.

"Bo Diddley created a myth that was uniquely his own. An entire rhythm is owed to just one guy and that's pretty rare."

Diddley rose to fame in 1955 when he topped the R&B charts with Bo Diddley. His other hits include Who Do You Love, Before You Accuse Me, and Mona. His so-called "Bo Diddley beat" influenced rockers from Buddy Holly, to Bruce Springsteen and U2.