The New Nation - Internet Edition

Liberation: Painting exhibition of 19 artists

Hashem Khan

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

Independence of Bangla-desh and Liberation War have created a chapter for the poets, artists, artistes and litterateurs of the country. After the independence of Bangladesh, these were not only mentioned and expressed in the poetries, stories, dramas, novels, history, articles, autobiographies on the Liberation War but these were also took place in sculptures, paintings, films, architectures and structures. Each of these creative artworks are 'seeds of art' which will present at the present scenario and will also work as the future indicators. Liberation War and independence of Bangladesh are closely related matter. The Liberation War Museum authority has been working since 2006 to organise creative activities including workshops for the young and veteran artists and intellectuals at the museum premises. As part of this continuation, to express this thought and emotion the Liberation War Museum has organized a painting exhibition of the country's 19 leading artists tilted 'Liberation' at the Museum Auditorium in the capital.

The 22-day exhibition on the War of Liberation started on August 9. At the inaugural day of the exhibition a discussion was held at the museum premises before the inauguration of the show.

The speakers asked the government for the trial of the war criminals soon. They vowed to continue the movement until the war criminals are tried.

About the exhibition eminent artist Qayyum Chowdhury said, "We sketch images on war on March 26 every year and the museum authorities hold an exhibition of the works. It is an inspirational work. The trial of the war criminals, who have committed crimes against the humanity during the War of Independence, is a must."

A total of 25 paintings are on display at the show. Of them, 19 were drawn on March 26.

Artist Qayyum Chowdhury, trustees of the museum Sarwar Ali and architect and poet Rabiul Husain and Executive Director of the Gallery Chitrak Muniruzzaman took part in the discussion.

Participating artists of the exhibition are - Qayyum Chowdhury, Mustafa Manwar, Hasem Khan, Abdus Shakoor Shah, Abdul Mannan, Biren Shome, Shahid Kabir, Alakesh Ghosh, Mohammad Eunus, Jamal Ahmed, Ranjit Das, Golam Faruque, Khalid Mahmud Mithu, Md Muniruzzaman, Kanak Chapa Chakma, Ashoke Karmaker, Mohammad Zahiruddin, Tayeba Begum Lipi and Md Golam Rabbani.

The Liberation War Museum opened on March 22, 1996. The museum is dedicated to the sacrifices of Bangladesh's soldiers and civilians in the Liberation War. More than 10,000 collectibles and exhibits are displayed in the museum or stored in its archives.

Three ground-floor galleries cover the struggle against the British Raj in Bengal, resistance to Pakistani rule after 1947, and the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971.

The second floor galleries display materials and historical records relating to civilian resistance and international support for Bangladesh's independence.

The ongoing exhibition remains open to all from 10:00am to 5:00pm till August 30.

Audition round of Miss Millionaire Bangladesh held

Contestants at the audition round

Art & Culture Report

Audition round of 'Miss Millionaire Bang-ladesh,' a beauty contest, was held at a studio in Gulshan in the city on August.

One hundred contestants participated in the audition round where 50 were selected for the next round.

The next round, grooming session and selection round, will be held soon, said Abdul Latif Apurbo, CEO of Apurbo.com and Chief Coordinator of the contest.

He said, "Before one year this contest was planned. Advertisement of the contest began on Channel 1 on April 5 this year and registration has been started by SMS. About 9,000 beauties from six divisional cities attained. Of them, a panel of judges selected 300 beauties initially. Then screen test, photo session, vocal test and dental test were held from July 28. After 10-day programmes, a day-long exhibition of the photos of the selected 100 beauties were on displayed at the National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on August 13. Main aim of the exhibition was to give the opportunity to the general people to cast their votes and opinions on the contest."

On August 15, at the audition round, dance artiste Shamim Ara Nipa, presenter Abdun Nur Tushar, actor and director Shahidul Alam Sachchu, photographer Chanchal Mahmud, photographer YJ Moon from Korea, Principal of Radiant Institute of Design Nasrin Chowdhury and Creative Director of the advertisement agency Interspeed Kawshik Dey from India were present as judges at the audition round, said the organisers.

Grooming session will be held in various locations of Bangladesh, Thailand and Sri Lanka. Then 'Miss Millionaire Bangladesh' will be selected through gala round. The winner of the contest will get one million cash and scope to work in different media.

Murapara Palace: Witness of our glorious past

Murapara Palace Photo: Syed Ashraful Alom
(Tito)

Syed Ashraful Alom (Tito)

Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural heritage is irreplaceable source of life and inspiration. It is our touchstones, our point of reference, and our identity.

Rupgong Palace is situated in Narayangonj. It is 12 km far away from Dhaka. This large palace is 52 decimals of land in the area of Murapara at Rupganj police station.

Ram Ratan Banarjee established the Murapara Palace during his time and he was the 6th forefather of his family. He established the basement of this structure. According to the estate of Protap Chandra Banerjee and Poet Rabidranath Tagor's grandfather Prince Dwarkanath Tagore had a close friendship. In 1889, Protap Chandra Banarjee left his old traditional house and made new palace behind his old one. In 1909, Jagadish Chandra Banerjee completed the structure and became a landlord. Jagadish Chandra Banerjee was very famous because he elected two times of Delhi Council of State. Landlord Jagadish Chandra Banerjee established many things for his tenants in his territory but on the other hand he was very vulgar for his tenant. Overall he was very powerful, brutal and vigorous landlord of the Murapara. In his ruling period he torched and cutoff his tenants hair when they didn't pay their tax. In 1947, Jagadish Banarjee went to Kolkata (Calcutta). In 1966, he established a high school and college there. At present, it is familiar to everybody as Murapara Degree College. This gigantic building has 95 rooms. He has made a large dance room, treasure room which sill the witness of our cultural identity. His house is surrounded by two ponds and four temples. Overall the place is standing in its own aesthetics. Many visitors visit Murapara Palace. The distance from Dhaka to Rupgonj takes one-hour journey. No doubt if anyone visits the Murapara Palace they must be astonished what Jagadish Chandra Banerjee have done. But now a day it lost its own aesthetics because of without any proper care of this palace.

(Writer is a photographer)

Iftar at Khazana

Art & Culture Desk

To celebrate the Eid-ul-fitr, we go across a month long time of special prayer and fasting. Each day passes and brings us near to our celebration and to end each day we get together with our family and friends to break our fasting. But this fasting becomes more enjoyable if it ends with Khazana's special Iftar.

Like previous years Khazana is going to arrange some exciting new additions to their special menu for the Iftar.

Avishek Sinha, General Manager of Khazana, said, "The Master Chef has taken extra effort to acquire the right ingredients for the dishes to be cooked .For one instance, special spices and herbs has been flown in from the city of 'Nawabs,' Lucknow in India for making a traditional dish like 'Shahi Haleem.' The Iftar will be available from 1:00pm till it lasts."

This year's new additions are - 'Shahi Haleem' (Mutton and Chicken), 'Gosht Dum Biryani,' 'Chicken Chap,' 'Murg Mussalum' and 'Kesaria Phirnee.'

"From the very first day of the holy month of Ramzan, Khazana will be catering their Iftar items. We will also be holding this time buffet Iftar dinner throughout the month at a very reasonable price of Tk.650 + per person. So we want to continue the tradition this year also," said Avishek.

Along with the family guests Khazana also have special packages for the corporate. For corporate Iftar parties there are different set of proposals to choose. Khazana has already started taking bookings for the Iftar parties. Khazana has also Iftar takeaway boxes to go, he added.

Meanwhile, all time favourite items which will also be there are - 'Assorted Kababs,' 'Chicken Kathi Rolls,' 'Dahi Barra,' 'Chana Chat Pata,' 'Khazana ka Jalebi,' 'Matka Lassi' and other items.

Every good thing should have a sweet ending. To this thought Khazana brings to its clients a new addition to the Iftar, That is Khazana Mithai.' Last year they showcased few of their sweet delights. But this year Iftar Khazana is offering a shop full of sweets to select from. Some of the specialties will be are - 'Shon Papri,' 'Gulab Jamun,' 'Rasmalai,' 'Motichur Laddu,' 'Kaju Barfi,' 'Lemon Sandesh,' 'Raj Bhog' and other sweets.

The media partner for this event is Radio Foorti who will be giving away Khazana gift coupons to there listener in the month of Ramzan, said the Khazana authority.

For reservation and more information anybody can contact: 028826127, 01711476379.