The New Nation - Internet Edition

Music: Warid launches Black’s new album Abar

Entertainment Report

Country's one of the top rock bands Black released its new album titled 'Abar' in cooperation with Warid Telecom at a press conference at Level-7 of Bashundhara City in the capital on July 10. The conference was jointly organised by Warid Telecom and G-Series, country's one of the leading music companies.

Warid Telecom, the sixth mobile phone operator in Bangladesh, has sponsored the third album of Black as part of its commitment to promote quality music through nurturing talents in the music arena. The rock band launched the album after a break of five years.

Zeeshan K Huq, Senior Manager (Marketing) of Warid Telecom, unveiled the latest album of the band at the conference.

Nazmul Huq Bhuiyan, Proprietor of G-Series, Asif Ahmed, Marketing Services Manager of Warid Telecom, Jon Kabir, lead vocal of Black, Saidus Salehin Khaled (Sumon), vocal of Aurthohin band, among others, were present on the occasion.

Black launched its first album in 2001 titled 'Amar Prithibi' and second album titled 'Uthshober Por' in 2002 with the hit song Proshnobodhok Chinno.

Zeeshan said, "Under the sponsorship deal, every Warid customer will get Black's latest album free of cost if he or she buys a Zem prepaid connection. This offer will be available at all Warid franchise and business centres across the country from July 10. On top of this, ABAR's songs would be available exclusively on Warid as 'Caller Tunes' for a certain period."

"We have a keen interest in supporting local talents in music industry as we intend to help foster creativity and talent in the sector," he said. Warid is not only a mobile service provider but also much more than that; it is closely associated with music and adopted it as one of the brand pillars of Zem prepaid, said Zeeshan.

He hoped that the new album of Black would be a grand success like the previous ones.

Documentary: Country-wide screening of Stories of Change begins

Entertainment Report

Pathways of Women's Empowerment in South Asia of BRAC Development Institute of BRAC University, an international Research Programme Consortium (RPC), has produced a video documentary named 'Stories of Changes' as a part of its project to make visible the trajectories of change experienced in the lives of women.

The film depicts the lives and struggles of five women, ranging from the ages of 16 to 60 years, who come from separate walks of life, from diverse professions, religions and religions of Bangladesh and shares their triumphant journeys.

A countrywide screening of 'Stories of Change' was held on Dhaka on July 11 at the British Council Auditorium. On July 19 it will be screened at 3:00pm at Government High School Auditorium in Rangamati, on July 20 at 5:00pm at Theatre Institute, Chattagram in Chittagong, on July 22 at 5:00pm at Hill Town Hotel in Sylhet, on July 24 at 5:00pm at Zila Parishad Auditorium in Rajshahi and on July 26 at 5:00pm at Museum Auditorium in Khulna.

This was disclosed at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity Auditorium on Thursday.

Maheen Sultan, Coordinator of the programme, Kamar Ahmed Simon of Beginning Productions and also director of the film, among others, were present on the occasion. The film was premiered on March 14 this year at Russian Cultural Centre in Dhaka.

The purpose of the research programme is to understand how empowerment of women is happing by means of economic, political and women in practice enjoy reproductive health rights.

TW Watch: Onno Boshonto on ATN Bangla tonight

Entertainment Desk

Onno Boshonto, a 16-episode new drama serial, started from May 17 on ATN Bangla.

Taukir Ahmed, Richi Solaiman, Fazlur Rahman Babu, Dilara Zaman, Shahidul Alam Sacchu, Shamim Zaman, Sharmin Shila, Saleh Ahmed, Dr Inamul Haque, AKM Hasan, Jhuna Chowdhury, among others, are main performers of the serial.

The drama serial based on three separate stories. But there is a connection among the stories. Among the mess members, Maznu is senior to others. He is a service holder. He did not get married. Mamun is searching job after completion of study. He has an affair with Nitu. Ranju and Abir are studying. Manager of the mess takes loans from them, but did not return them. His main duty is to look after the maidservant of the mess.

Father of Nitu is practicing herbal medicine and wants to open a chamber in his house.

He has a conflict with his wife in this regard. His son-in-law is jobless. He lost huge amount of money in the name of opening of various projects. Ant cultivation was one of them. This is the story of Onno Boshonto.

The serial is aired at 8:00pm on ATN Bangla every Saturday.

Event: Playwright Shamim Ahmed’s 2 dramas DVD launched

Entertainment Report

VCD and DVD of two comedy dramas written by promising playwright and journalist Shamim Ahmed was launched at the Studio of ATN Bangla on July 8 under the banner of Soundtech, country's leading audio, video and music production house.

These two dramas - 'Pagol Pagol Manushgulo' and 'Fu' - were aired on ATN Bangla and BTV earlier. These were sacrificed to Chairman of ATN Bangla Dr Mahfuzur Rahman at the function.

Sarkar Firoz, Adviser (Administration) of ATN Bangla, Nawajish Ali Khan, Adviser (Programme), M Shamsul Huda, Adviser (Sells and Marketing), Shyamal Dutta, Editor of daily Bhorer Kagoj, Fakhrul Abedin, Additional Vice President (Programme and Broadcasting) of ATN Bangla, Khondaker Jahangir Kabir, Tashik Ahmed, Chief Co-ordinator, Babul Ahmed, actor and director, among others, were present at the launching ceremony.

After launching ceremony two dramas were shown to the present audience.

Dr Mahfuzur Rahman said, "Personally I like comedy drama. Because, to laugh and to give entertain to the viewers are not so easy task. With this reality young playwright Shamim Ahmed could get thanks. We hope he will continue his works and give us more dramas in future."

Journalist, playwright Shamim Ahmed said in his speech, "Everybody is busy with his or her daily routine. After completing daily works, everybody wants to watch and enjoy something from the television channels.

A playwright should write drama for the demands of the viewers. I am also to do it. Basically I like to write down comedy drama. I feel comfortable to do it."

It is mentioned that drama 'Fu' was aired as Eid special on BTV, which was directed by Babul Ahmed. Dity, Babul Ahmed, Deepa Khondaker, Shahriar Nazim Joy, among others, performed in the drama. Script of another drama 'Pagol Pagol Manushgulo' was written and directed by Sajjad Hossain Dodul, which was aired on ATN Bangla. Tanya Ahmed, Azizul Hakim, Dodul, Lajuk, Joy, Litu Anam, Shomu Chowdhury, Rafique Ullah Selim, late Mozammel Hossain, among others, performed in the comedy drama.

McConaughey’s girlfriend has baby boy

Entertainment Desk

Matthew McConaughey's Brazilian girlfriend has given birth to a boy, People magazine reported on its Web site on Tuesday.

The child - the first for McConaughey and model Camila Alves - was born on Monday evening, the report quoted the actor's publicist as saying.

McConaughey, 38, said in January that he and Alves were 'stoked and wowed' by the pending arrival. He started dating Alves, a native of Rio de Janeiro, after breaking up with Spanish actress Penelope Cruz in 2006.

The actor, once named 'Sexiest Man Alive' by People, starred in the recent romantic comedy 'Fool's Gold' with Kate Hudson.