The New Nation - Internet Edition

Special: 73rd birth anniversary of Zahir Raihan today : Film show, discussion at Shilpakala Academy

Zahir Raihan

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

Today is the 73 rd birth anniversary of country's legendary filmmaker, novelist and talented writer Jahir Raihan.

He was born on August 5, 1935 in the village Majupur of Feni as Mohammad Zahirullah. Zahir Raihan disappeared on December 30 in 1971 as he left home to get his elder brother Shaidullah Kaiser, famous writer, but never returned.

He is perhaps most well-known for his documentary 'Stop Genocide' made during the Bangladesh Liberation War. After the Partition of Bengal in 1947, he, along with his parents, returned to his village from Kolkata. He obtained Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Bangla from Dhaka University. He had been married twice, to Sumita Devi in 1961 and Shuchanda in 1968, both of whom were film actresses.

Zahir Raihan received his postgraduate degree in Bengali Literature. Along with literature works Raihan started working as a journalist when he joined 'Juger Alo' in 1950. Later he also worked in newspapers namely 'Khapchhara,' 'Jantrik,' 'Cinema.' He also worked as the editor of 'Probaho' in 1956. His first collection of short stories bannered 'Suryagrahan' was published in 1955. He worked as an assistant in the film 'Jago Huya Sabera' in 1957. This was his first footprint in film. He was also assisted Salahuddin in the film 'Je Nodi Morupothay.' The famous filmmaker Ehtesham also took him for his movie 'A Desh Tomar Amar' where he wrote the title song. In 1960 he arrived as a director in his film 'Kokhono Asheni.' He completed his first cinemascope movie 'Bahana' in 1965.

In 1952, he was an active worker of the Language Movement and was present at the historical meeting of Amtala on February 21, 1952. The effect of language movement was so high on him that he made his legendary film 'Jibon Theke Neya' based on it. He also took part in the 'Gano Obhyuthyan' in 1969. In 1971 he joined in the Liberation War of Bangladesh and created documentary films on this great event.

During the war of liberation Raihan went to Kolkata where his film 'Jibon Theke Neya' were shown. His film was highly acclaimed by Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen, Tapan Sinha and Ritwik Ghatak. Though he had his financial problem going on that time, he gave all his money to the Freedom Fighters trust that he got from the show.

Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) will arrange a special program today to commemorate 73rd birth anniversary of Zahir Raihan in support with Ananda Aalo, an entertainment magazine.

The program will take place at the Experimental Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Documentary film-show including the most acclaimed 'Stop Genocide' and discussion on the genius's life and works will feature the program.

This year Zahir Raihan's birth anniversary is going to be observed officially. Jamil Osman, Secretary to the Information Ministry will grace the occasion as the chief guest, while Sayed Shamsul Haque, eminent poet and writer and Shahenshah Begum, US expatriate sister of Zahir Raihan, will attend the program as special guests.

The program will start at 11:00am. A N M Badrul Amin, Managing Director of BFDC will preside over the discussion session.

Afzal Chowdhury and Chinmoy Mutshuddi will take part in the discussion with Rezanur Rahman, the editor of Ananda Aalo and President of Bangladesh Cine Journalists Association (BACHSAS) to deliver a greeting speech on the special occasion.

Eminent media and cine personalities, critics, high government officials, members of the film societies and organisations are expected to attend the program. Along with 'Stop Genocide' a chunk of Zahir's last and incomplete documentary titled, 'Let There Be Light' and a promotional of an under-construction documentary on his life are to be shown. The last documentary is being made by Shahenshah Begum.

Theatre: Aranyak Natyadal to attend MITF in S Korea Raarang to be staged on Aug 6

Entertainment Report

Aranyak Natyadal, a theatre group, will represent Bangladesh at the 20th Masan International Theatre Festival (MITF) to be held in South Korea.

A 15-member team headed by Bikash Kishore Das, Secretary of Bangladesh Shil-pakala Academy, left Dhaka on August 2 to participate the festival. 'Raarang' will be staged at the festival on August 6. This was disclosed at a press conference at Music and Dance Centre Auditorium of Bangladesh Shil-pakala Academy on Thursday.

Drama activist and Chief of Aranyak Mamunur Rashid, participant theatre activists, among others, were present at the conference.

Mamunur Rashid said, "The process of sending a theatre troupe as a Government delegation has not been smooth.

Aranyak was nominated in 2006 to participate at the Cairo Theatre Festival, however, because of bureaucratic tangles that opportunity did not materialise. This year pressure from Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation as well as positive intention of the authority has made the participation possible."

There are a few problems. Generally 27 artistes perform in 'Raarang' - a play featuring the strife of the impoverished 'Santals' to survive the discrimination imposed by the dominating Bengalis - at the Korean festival however, 13 actors will perform in the play, he said.

Drama serial Josnakal on ATN Bangla tonight

Bipasha Hayat

Entertainment Desk

The second episode of drama serial 'Josnakal' will be aired on ATN Bangla at 9:20pm on Tuesday.

Toukir Ahmed has directed the serial written by Bipasha Hayat.

Toukir Ahmed, Bipasha Ahmed, Richi Solaiman, Fazlur Rahman Babu, Moshrraf Karim, Chandni, Kushum Sikdar, Abul Hayat, Al Mansur, Dolly Zahur, Afroza Banu, Rahamat Ali and Shuvra are performing in different characters in the drama serial.

Story of Josnakal:

Sajal came to Dhaka from a village to find out a job. Then he found not only job but also various types of human characters, who were creating impact on his life.

But he could not realize them. They were not similar to him. He had a similarity with them. Those human characters were waiting like him. They also want to touch the moonlight.

CD: Laser Vision’s new albums

Dekha-Odekha Bangladesh

Dreamland Saint Martin

Genre: Documentary with

Bengali and English version

divided into two parts.

Duration: 24 minutes each

Direction and camera:

A Masud Chowdhury Pitu

Research and script: Sumon Sikder

Porshi

Genre: Bangladeshi drama

Story: Zakaria Sowkhin

Direction: Chayanika Chowdhury

Executive producer: Russell Azad

Bidyut and Monirul Islam Ronju

Starring: Ahmed Rubel, Anisur

Rahman Milon, Tarin, Sharmily

Ahmed and others.

Camera: Alaul Baki Arpan

Editing: Sajedur Reza Sohel

Background music: Maksud Jamil Mintu

Music: Toshi, Prajakta to perform AANSU night on Aug 7

Entertainment Desk

International artistes Toshi Sabri and Prajakta Shukre are going to perform at AANSU Ni-ght'08 which will be held at Bangladesh-China Frie-ndship Conference Centre on August 7.

This programme has been organised by Windmill Advertising Ltd for Alumni Association of North South University (AANSU).

On the night, alumni of the North South University will also enjoy performances by Topu and Anila along with gala dinner, a glorious fashion show, and DJ performance.

Hollywood: Amy Winehouse reportedly hospitalised

Agencies, London

Amy Winehouse has been taken to hospital, her spokesman said on Monday. "Amy Winehouse suffered a reaction to medication at home this evening and was taken to hospital," he said in a statement. "Doctors have advised that she will be kept under observation overnight and is likely to be released tomorrow."

When asked about the incident, a spokeswoman for the London ambulance service said: "We did take the patient to hospital t at about 8:40 p.m. (1940 GMT)" after being called to an address in north London. The 24-year-old pop star, whose battle against drug addiction has overshadowed her recording successes, has a home in Camden, north London. She took the music world by storm in February when she landed five Grammy awards in one night, but last month the performer of hits including "Rehab" and "You Know I'm No Good" was rushed to hospital after she fainted at home. Shortly afterwards, her father said in an interview that she was suffering from lung condition emphysema and had been warned by doctors that she would die if she continued smoking drugs. Her representatives played down the severity of the diagnosis, although a spokesman has confirmed that Winehouse had 'touch of' emphysema. As well as battling addiction, Winehouse had the added setback recently of seeing her husband Blake Fielder-Civil jailed after pleading guilty to beating up a pub landlord in 2006 and conspiring to cover up the crime. Fielder-Civil, who married Winehouse in Miami last year, has served around nine months in prison, and is expected to spend another four-and-a-half months behind bars.

Bollywood: Soha Ali Khan’s dare bare avatar

Soha Ali Khan

Agency

Soha Ali Khan was recently in the news for her shockingly daring bare photo shoot for a leading fashion magazine.

It had taken all by surprise who thought Soha was just a simple girl leaving next door types who can never dare to go glam and show skin for a photo shoot. But Soha did it all and with aplomb. But the surprises about this talented sister of Saif Ali Khan don't end here.

A close friend of the Rang De Basanti girl revealed to us, "Soha is actually quiet a night bird. She just can't go to sleep at normal nighttime like majority of us at all. When the whole world on this side of the planet is snoring the insomniac Soha just goes and sits and in front of her TV along with her huge collection of DVDs and watches them till she feels too tired and it is finally time to sleep! If you think going by her simple image that her mega collection of DVDs must be major of soggy romantic films or comedies then you are mistaken. Soha actually has this huge collection of DVDs consisting only of Hollywood creepy horror flicks and thrillers." Love for creepy thrillers…a bindaas photo shoot in lingerie…well one wonders what more surprises are in store from Soha ahead!