The New Nation - Internet Edition

Event: Cultural activists to form human chain on June 25 : Protest for reducing budget allocation in cultural sector

Entertainment Report

The cultural activists of the country under the banner of Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation (BGTF) will form a human chain at 5:00pm in front of the Shilpakala Academy in the city protesting against the reducing of allocation in cultural sector in the budget for 2008-09 Financial Year.

This was disclosed at a press conference organised by BGTF at Dhaka Reporters Unity yesterday.

M Hamid (Natyachakra Dhaka), Chairman of the Presidium Members, read out a written statement, while Jhuna Chowdhury (Natya Kendra Dhaka), Secretary General of BGTF, Muniruzzaman of Charushilpi Parishad, Selim Mahmud of Udichi and Sangeet Shamunnay Parishad, Habibullah Siraji, President of Jatiya Kabita Parishad, Ramendu Majumder, drama activist, Golam Kuddus, General Secretary of Sammilita Sangskritik Jote, Asaduzzaman Noor, drama activist, Minu Haque, dance artiste, among others, spoke at the conference.

Speakers said the Government has been allocated Tk 122 crore for 2008-09 financial year in cultural sector, which is less than Tk 17 crore from previous year. The rate of this allocation is only 0.12 per cent of the total budget. In all district levels Shilpakala Academy, budget allocation is less than Tk 50,000 per year.

"From this allocation, we can say that the Government has very narrow mind for the development of cultural sector," said M Hamid.

"For this reason, we are going to form a human chain at 5:00pm on June 25 in front of the Shilpakala Academy to protest against budget allocation in the cultural sector. In all district levels, this programme will be held at the same time simultaneously to protest against the budget allocation in cultural sector," he said.

TV Watch: Mayur Bahon on Channel 1 tonight

Entertainment Desk

TV serial Mayur Bahon will air on Channel 1 at 8:15 pm today. The cast includes Shampa Reza, Azad Abul Kalam, Tomalika, Intekhab Dinar, Sumaiya Shimu, Shams Sumon, Mir Sabbir, Rahmat Ali, Tushar Khan, Lutfar Rahman George, Khairul Alam Sabuj, Afroza Banu and Golam Farida Chhanda.

The plot of the story revolves around the inhabitants of the village Basantapur. The village is like any other, and the people there are quite simple yet unique. At the centre of the story, was a club, which organised a play for the villagers.

Young and old alike, work to produce a successful play, which reflect the simple dreams of the villagers. The story is marked with several incidents such as the people of Basantapur in search of a female artiste for their play.

Written by Pantha Shahriar, the serial was directed by Rulin Rahman. The serial is aired every Monday and Tuesday on Channel 1.

Bollywood: Manisha’s new boyfriend a golfer

Entertainment Desk

Manisha Koirala attended the US Open 2008 golf championship in San Diego, which was held from June 9 to 15.

Why this sudden interest in golf?

“Because Chris, my boyfriend, is a professional golfer," Manisha with her unstoppable candour suddenly reveals from the US. "I confess I got interested in golf only because of him. And now I love watching it. I came down to San Diego for the tournament because of Chris. And I was hooked."

Manisha with the new man in her life, watched Tiger Woods walk away with the championship. "It was a historic moment and I'm so glad I was part of it."

Chris and Manisha have been seriously seeing each other since last year. He was in fact one of the guests in January this year for Manisha's brother Siddharth's wedding.

Now Manisha has invited Chris for his first full-fledged visit to India later this year. Hopefully by then their relationship would've cemented further.

"Yes Chris did attend my brother's wedding. I'm looking forward to having him over very shortly," said Manisha happily.

So is Manisha all set to become Bollywood second golf-wife after Chitrangda?

"Oh I never thought of it that way. Let's see. Let's not jump the gun. I'd rather not talk about Chris too much right now. The minute a relationship gets in the limelight it becomes subject to too much pressure. I'd like to see where it goes."

In the meanwhile Manisha is looking forward to the release of Mehbooba. "We completed the film almost two years ago. But it doesn't look dated at all. All of us, Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgan and the director Afzal Khan worked really hard on it. It's a really lavish film. I wish it could be released during the producer Jhamu Sugandh's lifetime." Chris hasn't seen any of Manisha's film as yet. She plans to show him Mehbooba when he visits India.

"At the moment I'm touring the US with Chris. And I couldn't be in a better place," she ends, hoping for a new beginning.

News Release: Drama Nilakunja ready for air

Entertainment Desk

Recently MR Bari Telemedia production completed shooting and editing of a drama titled Nilakunja.

The drama is based on some sensitive issues in a house situated in the forest area.

MR Bari is the producer of the drama. Touqir Ahmed, Nadia, Khairul Islam Pakhi, Laizu, Munir, Zaman, Kalam, Aghor Paul and child artist Tarjan performed in the drama.

Jaglul Haider wrote the script of the drama, while Abu Hasnat Monju was in direction.

Jalal Ahmed was in camera and MR Tushar edited the drama. Light and Shadow gave the technical support for Nilakunja.