The New Nation - Internet Edition

Exhibition: Nipa’s solo exhibition continues

Entertainment Report

A 10-day long solo art exhibition titled 'Mystery of Colour' of Maksuda Iqbal Nipa was inaugurated at the Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts in the city on August 1.

Arturo Perez Martinez, Spanish Ambassador, inaugurated the exhibition as chief guest, while Prof Abdus Shakoor Shah, Director of the Institute of Fine Arts (IFA) of Dhaka University, artist Nipa, Subir Chowdhury, Director of the gallery, among others, were present on the occasion.

Nipa's 24 art works are taking place in the show. The show will end on August 10. The gallery remains open from 12:00 noon to 8:00pm everyday.

Artist Nipa was born in 1975 in Dhaka. She completed her BFA from the Department of Drawing and Painting at the IFA of Dhaka University in 1996. She achieved ME degree from Aichi University of Japan in 2004. She has taken part seven solo exhibitions and many group shows. She got 'Honourable Award' in the 16th Young Artists Fine Arts Exhibition organised by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy this year. Besides, she won three other awards in Japan.

Event: Udichi Pallabi branch formed

Entertainment Desk

The second conference of Bangladesh Udichi Shilpi Gosthi Pallabi branch was held at Dr Muhammad Shahidullah Ideal Higher Secondary School at Mirpur-12 in Pallabi in the city recently.

Artist Azad Abul Kalam inaugurated the conference where eminent educationist Prof AN Rasheda, Prof Ratan Siddiqui, noted drama activist, Jamshed Anwar Tapan, General Secretary of Udichi Dhaka Metropolitan Unit, Principal MA Sabur, Olimuzzaman, among others, were present at the conference. After the council meeting, a musical soiree, presentation of dance and recitation and drama 'Itihas Kotha Kau' was staged. Robirashmi Khelaghar Ashar, Aporajeyo Bangladesh, Udichi Pallabi branch, Udichi Dhaka Metropolitan Unit and Udichi central council performed in the event.

A 24-member Udichi Pallabi branch was formed. Members of the The executive committee are - MA Sabur (President), Md Hafiz Uddin Khan (Vice President), Kazi Salamat Ullah (Vice President), Md Hanif (Vice President), Iqbalul Haque Khan Iqbal (General Secretary), Ahmed Mosharraf Nannu (Assistant General Secretary), Uttam Kumar Roy (Assistant General Secretary) and others.

TV Show: Special programmes on ATN Bangla : To mark Tagore’s death anniversary

Entertainment Desk

Today is Shraban 22, 1415 - death anniversary of Biswakobi Rabindranath Tagore. ATN Bangla has taken initiative to air various programmes to mark the day.

ATN Bangla will be aired a special discussion titled 'Jokhon porbe na mor payer cinha' at 12:15pm. Saiful Bari will moderate the programme directed by Rumana Afroze. Aly Zaker, poet Nirmolendu Gun and artiste Bulbul Mahalanobish will take part in the discussion.

Special children programme 'Chhotoder Rabindranath' will be aired at 1:30pm. Nurul Momen has directed the programme. Special documentary 'Gram-Banglar Rabindranath' will be aired at 2:30PM directed by Nobuyat Rahman.

Special musical programme 'Tumi nobo nobo rupe esho prane' will be aired at 3:10pm directed by Ruksana Kabir Kakoli where artistes Rezwana Chowdhury Bonya, Papia Sarwar, Mita Haque, Fahim Chowdhury and Sajed Akbar will perform. Special documentary 'Marjine Mongtobbo' directed by Biplob Rahman will be aired at 3:45pm. Special programme 'Durlav Jonmo' jointly directed by Nahid Rahman and Khaleda Ahmed will be aired at 4:20pm, which will be moderated by Shahnaz Munni. Shamim Ara Munni, Selim Dowla Khan, Rezwan, Mridula and others will perform in the programme.

Special programme 'Mrittu O Rabindranath' directed by Mukaddem Babu and moderated by Dr Afsar Ahmed will be aired at 5:10pm. Artistes Mita Haque, Syed Monjurul Islam and Vaskor Bondopaddhya will take part in the programme.

Hollywood : Morgan Freeman seriously injured in car crash

AP, Jackson

Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman was hospitalised in serious condition Monday after the car he was driving left a rural road in the Mississippi Delta and flipped several times.

Freeman, 71, was airlifted to the Regional Medical Centre in Memphis, Tenn., about 90 miles north of the accident in rural Tallahatchie County. The actor "has a broken arm, broken elbow and minor shoulder damage, but is in good spirits," according to a statement from Donna Lee, Freeman's publicist. A hospital spokeswoman said Freeman was in serious condition but would not discuss his injuries. "He is having a little bit of surgery this afternoon or tomorrow to help correct the damage," Lee's statement said. "He says he'll be OK and is looking forward to a full recovery."

Freeman, who won an Oscar for his role in "Million Dollar Baby," is among the stars in "The Dark Knight," now in theatres. His screen credits also include "Driving Miss Daisy." Freeman and a companion were travelling on a dark, two-lane highway that cuts through the expansive farmlands of the Mississippi Delta when the car ran off the side of the road shortly before midnight Sunday, authorities said.

The vehicle flipped several times but landed upright in a ditch alongside Mississippi Highway 32, about 5 miles west of Charleston, not far from where Freeman owns a home with his wife. Mississippi Highway Patrol spokesman Sgt. Ben Williams said rescuers had to use the Jaws of Life to remove Freeman from the car.

Bollywood: Now we’re on stage as husband and wife: Aishwarya Rai

SantaBanta.Com

It seems jetlag was invented for you and Abhishek.

Ha! I grabbed this opportunity to come back home because Abhishek had to attend an event. I came back to see my father. That’s been a gnawing concern all through ever since my father fell ill. The first couple of the Unforgettable shows were really difficult because I didn’t get enough time to rehearse. But after that…it’s been fantastic.

In spite of the fact that you couldn’t rehearse enough?

I was ill for three weeks before we left. I’ve never been so ill in my life. I was on antibiotics throughout. I barely had five days to rehearse before we left. Only I know what it took for me to look chipper at the press conference.

How could you dance after getting up from your illness?

The first two shows were really tough on me. I was still regaining my physical energy. I had to do everything in my power to not let my post-illness weakness show. I practically learnt my steps during the shows. I just had the last 3-4 nights to first watch the acts and then try to learn them, prepare my costumes.

I know you hate going on stage without enough rehearsals.

But that’s the story of my life. I’m so busy with my films I only get 4-5 nights to rehearse before going on stage. This (The Unforgettable tour) was actually the first time I had a couple of weeks to rehearse. Those were taken away from me. We were all smiling about it.

You must be torn between the anxiety for your father and the ecstasy of dancing live?

I am. My father is such a strong man. And so is my mother. They’re both going through his illness and recuperation together. My father is the strongest man I know. He’s my source of inspiration. His faith in the power of healing is so strong. I feel his strength and also the love of all those who have sent their genuine concern. He has gone through his second cycle of chemotherapy and now he’s going through his third. It’s not easy for us.

Wouldn’t you’ve preferred to stay home at this time?

My father wouldn’t allow that. My parents are made of incredible substance. When I was toying with the idea of backing out of the tour they put their foot down. My dad was like, 'No way. Life goes on. There’s no way I’ll let you take steps back.’

How is it dancing with Madhuri Dixit?

For the two of us it’s like old times again. We felt we were both back to doing Devdas together. We smiled about it for while.

You hadn’t forgotten your Dola re steps?

You know, muscle memory never lets a dancer down. If you’re dancer you never forget steps for a song or dance you’ve done before. When the music plays the body just takes flight. And that’s the best way to dance.

Dancing with the whole family…is that a new high?

It’s a wonderful experience. We have danced together on screen and also performed together. But we’ve never been on a concert tour together. These concerts are special because we’re doing them as a family and it’s the first concert Abhishek and I are doing after marriage. Even the audiences all over now respond to us as a couple. They keep showering us with blessings and good wishes. And when we perform to the Guru song you should hear how they coo and clap…You know, when were co-stars I always told Abhishek a world tour is something he must experience. It’s just such a high to connect on such an intimate basis with your audience. In fact for one of my world tours I had even asked my organizers to ask him to come onboard. He’d say, 'Not yet not yet’ and now who would’ve thought when he’s finally ready for his first world tour we’d go together as husband and wife.

Your best shared moment during the concerts so far?

After the performance at Amsterdam I looked at Abhishek and asked how it felt. And he reminded me that I had urged him to go on stage from long before. 'And now we’re on stage as husband and wife, ' he said. That was a memorable moment.

A section of your friends in Mumbai continue to believe the shows aren’t doing well?

What do you do? I’ve spent a entire career fighting off false perceptions about my life and career.