The New Nation - Internet Edition

Exhibition: 1st Tourism photography exhibition ends

Visitors watching photographs at the exhibition at
National Art Gallery of Shilpakala Academy. NN
photo

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

The 1st Tourism Photography Competition and Exhibition was concluded at the National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on July 5.

The photography exhibition was jointly organized by Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation and Shilpakala Academy. Banglalink, country's second largest mobile phone operator, was the sponsor of the event. Ekushey TV and daily Shomokal were the media partners of the event. Syed Mohammad Zubair, Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, inaugurated the two-day exhibition on July 4. Shafiq Alam Mehedi, Chairman of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, Bhuiyan Shafiqul Islam, Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Acadeemy, among others, were present on the occasion.

The judges evaluated a total of 3,000 entries from 370 contestants and from these, 200 photographs were selected for the exhibition. The subjects of the photographs were varied - ranging from a 'Fishing Festival' in a remote part of Narsingdi to 'Pahela Baishakh' celebration at Ramna Batomul in Dhaka. The underlying theme: Highlighting Bangl-adesh. The best three entries were awarded at the closing ceremony at the Music and Dance Centre Auditorium of Shilpakala Academy. Mahbub Jamil, Special assistant to the Chief Adviser, was present as chief guest at the concluding ceremony.

Photographs of Shoaib Farooqi, MM Zahidur Rahman Biplob and Sheikh Mohir Uddin were selected best three photographs in the competition. Each of them got Tk 10,000, a crest and a certificate. Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation will buy 50 selected photographs from the exhibition. Besides, rest of the participants will be given certificates by the Parjatan Corporation at a function later.

After award giving ceremony artistes Mita Haque, Kiron Chandra Roy and Rafiqul Alam rendered songs and dance performed by groups of dance artistes Deepa Khondaker and Kabirul Islam Ratan. A view of workers plucking tealeaves in a sea of green by Mohammad Yunus was familiar to most, yet refreshing. Hundreds of young men, up to their necks in water, take part in a 'Machh Dhorar Utsab in Narsingdi by Noor Ahmed Jilal. Mangrove forest in the Sundarbans by Md Golam Sarwar seemed sleepy. An image of the peaceful Saint Martin's Island appears all postcard-like. A serpentine narrow stream making its way through a sandy shoal in Bholaganj, Sylhet by Md Akhlas Uddin was appealing. The green tips of Keokradong Range in Bandarban against a backdrop of pristine blue sky by Shoaib Farooqi was picture perfect.

All these images and more brought to light facets of Bangladesh - some overly familiar and some surprisingly underexposed.

The exhibition also included photos of historic and archaeological sites, lifestyle, flora and fauna.

The dome of Lalan's shrine in Kushtia, like a lotus bud by Firoze Ahmed had rather mundane looking buildings in the background.

The once majestic Ruplal House by Mohammad Saber in Old Dhaka now looks decrepit, choked by constructions surrounding it.

Rani Bhabani Palace in Natore by Abdur Rab Dulal looked lonely. Chittagong War Cemetery by Abdul Malek Babul looked well organised. Surrounded by colour photographs, a black and white image of 'Paani Khela' in Cox's Bazar by Suman Pal looked weird.

Portraits of a Murong man and a Tripura woman in their tradition outfits and jewellery by Golam Quddus Helal indicated multiplicity.

Mayur Bahon on Channel 1tonight

Mayur Bahon

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.

Swami Niye Juddho

Anna, Ferdous and Shabnoor in film Swami Niye
Juddho.

Entertainment Desk

Recently Rony Film International presented new Bengali film Swami niye juddho. Azadi Hasnat Firoz directed the film, while produced by Md Chan Mian.

Shabnoor, Ferdous, Anna, Kakon, Aliraz, Nasrin, Shiba Shanu, Khalil, Probir Mitra, Khaleda Akhter Kalpana, Sharmily Ahmed and Mizu Ahmed performed in the movie.

Emon Saha was in music direction, story was written by Delwar Zahan Jhantu.

Tawhid Hossain Chowdhury was in editing, Mohiuddin Monir in still camera and MH Swapan in camera. Kanak Chnpa, Andrew Kishore, Polash, Ashik and Anima D'Costa gave vocals for the playback in the movie.

CD: KT Series releases Ovvudoy

Entertainment Desk

Music production house KT Series recently released compilation of a band album named 'Ovvudoy.' There are 12 songs in the album. Songs are - 1) Prithibir Mrittu by Hemorrhage, lyrics: Zahed, 2) Ekaki by fLY, lyrics: Afjal, 3) Rupkotha majhe by Karnival, lyrics: Tipu, 4) Etota bhalobasi by Recall, lyrics: Meraj, 5) Mrito joddha by Satanic, lyrics: Jem, 6) Soty-aasha by Hedonism, lyrics: Arnob, 7) Ghrinno Jibon by AOD, lyrics: Shams, 8) Swapna by Proloy, lyrics: Saki Ahmed and Khalid Ashraf, 9) Juddhopoth by Darkend, lyrics: Sagor, 10) Bibashito jibon by Auleek, lyrics: Tawhid, 11) Instrumental and 12) Hori bol by M$S feat Alvi, lyrics: Mashfique and Alvi.

The album was recorded at MBI Studio and recorded, mixing and mastered by Dewan Anamul Hasan.

Documentary: Premier of Black Spot held

Entertainment Desk

Premier show of documentary film Black Spot (Kalo Dag) was held at ESTE Centre in New Elephant Road in the city on July 5.

Shomir Faruk has written the script of the film. He was also in direction and camera.

The film was produced by Helena Akhter and edited by Jahangir Alam. Rising Sun Independent Media Workshop gave the technical support. Duration of the film is six minutes 16 seconds. It is colour documentary with English subtitled.

Synopsis of Black Spot:

Everybody has to select a profession for earning of his or her livelihood. But there are many ill-fated people who are earning from the lowest income group from the livelihood of whom, working too hard with dehumanised, and if the worker is a woman, then her sufferings from her boundaries.

Minara is such an ill-fated woman worker, who is the victim of different kinds of disparity in every step. She has to engage herself in a rice mill to earn her bread. Minara has four children's and she is the only earning member in her family. Because, her husband deserted here two years ago. Minara is to work too hard everyday to keep the wheel of her life moving. She keeps on working, maintaining the same pace with the male workers. But at the end of the day, she does not get wages equal to them. Minara and many other woman workers like her are being deprived from wages equal to male workers, though they work alike. Minara is rather ended up day by day in this way the wheel of Minara's life may be ended up slowly.

Bollywood: Amrita and Usman split up

Amrita Arora

Entertainment Desk

Distance has finally taken its toll on Amrita Arora and her London-based English cricketer Usman Afzal. The couple mutually decided to go their separate ways after their strained relationship for the past few months.

Said a source close to the actress, "It was a difficult break-up as both had been very committed for the last four years, but it was inevitable." Amrita, though, tried hard to work out this relationship as she loved Afzal a lot but it wasn't meant to be.

There were no huge fights and melodrama but a quiet acceptance that both were now headed in two different directions.

In an interview, the actress also confirmed the break up reports saying that the reports were true but she didn't feel like talking about it. However, unlike the other glamorous break ups where a change of hearts often takes place, distance between these ex-lovebirds seems to have ruined this love affair. Besides the distance, Amrita's alleged link up with upcoming model Sahil Shroff had reportedly not gone so well with Usman. Things turned further ugly when Amrita took off to shoot for a flick on Usman's birthday. A close friend said, her only comfort is that her best friend Bebo is also there with her. As someone who's had a long relationship break-up, the girls have something in common. Bebo is helping her cope, as she understands what Amu is going through. Amrita has now immersed herself into her work. She has got good releases like Golmaal Returns and Kambakht Ishq and now wants to concentrate on her work. It seems it's a career decision as much as a personal one.