In an attempt to deconstruct the myths about feminism, a panel of leading gender activists, development practitioners, and professionals came together on December 26, 2020, on the platform, ‘Reflective Teens’, an internationally recognised nonprofit teen-based creative initiative that aims to foster the abilities of teenagers and prepare them for the present and the future. The panel included Shireen Haq, Founder & Member, Naripokkho, Khushi Kabir, Coordinator, Nijera Kori, Samia Ahmed, Senior Manager, Advocacy and Campaign, Save the Children, Warda Ashraf, Development Practitioner and Cultural Activist, and Kajal Abdullah, Co-Founder and CEO, Jahaji Ltd. The session was moderated by Ruhun Wasata, Senior Lecturer, East West University and PhD student, Indiana University Bloomington, and hosted by Md. Masud Parvez Ove, Senior Teacher, South Point School and College, and Former Bangladesh Coordinator, South Asian Students for Liberty.

“Amra nattyo shromik, natok amader shrom o ghamer foshol" - Selim Al Deen

The 51st International Film Festival of India, beginning on January 16, will pay tribute to legendary director Satyajit Ray. Five of his films will be screened at the event.

Dildar first came into the limelight with his debut film, “Keno Emon Hoy” in 1972, since then the artiste had an illustrious career in the film industry.

Noted actor Chanchal Chowdhury is set to join the much anticipated biopic of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The general election of the Directors Guild is to be held on February 26 at Shilpakala Academy. The initial date for the election was scheduled for December 2020, unfortunately, due to the ongoing global pandemic, it was postponed.

Congratulations are in order for music composer and singer Habib Wahid, who recently got married. He shared the news with his fans and well-wishers from his official Facebook page. “I want to share with you all a very sudden development in my personal life. Recently, I got married and my wife’s name is Afsana Chowdhury (Shifa),” he wrote. The couple kept everything very private, due to the ongoing pandemic.

After a successful national debut, Bangladesh is preparing to participate in the 69th edition of the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant in USA, in May 2021. The acclaimed Miss Universe Bangladesh was officially launched today at a media conference held at Hotel Pan Pacific Shonargaon Dhaka. Sponsored by Flora Bank, Miss Universe Bangladesh 2020 is flaunting the tagline of ‘Confidently Beautiful’.

International Center for Bengali Music (ICBM) has organised an online music competition, titled “ICBM Icon 2020” for students who are currently pursuing their academics in music from Bangladesh and India. The institutions from Bangladesh are University of Dhaka, University of Rajshahi, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Jagannath University, University of Chittagong, Rabindra University, Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology, and University Of Development Alternative. Students from the music department of Visva-Bharati University, Rabindra Bharati University, University of Calcutta and Kazi Nazrul University will also be participating in this competition.

The captain of the Indian cricket team Virat Kohli and Bollywood star Anushka Sharma were blessed with a baby daughter, three years after their marriage.

Bangladesh will be the “Country in Focus” at the 51st edition of the International Film Festival of India, which begins in the coastal state of Goa from January 16.

I was a music-mad teenager in 1980s England, and heavy metal was going through a resurgence. The older bands like Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, who had started in the late 60s and early 70s, were still going strong, but a new cohort of exciting younger bands had begun to appear. The NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal) bands such as Iron Maiden, Saxon and Def Leppard were getting radio airplay on Tommy Vance's Friday Rock Show on BBC Radio 1, and appearing regularly on TV. They even had hit singles in the pop charts.

Ashfaque Nipun directorial “Koshtoneer” has sparked much interest among viewers, after its trailer was dropped on Hoichoi’s YouTube channel. Featuring Tarique Anam Khan, Saberi Alam, Runa Khan, Sayed Babu, Shyamol Mawla, Sabila Nur and Yash Rohan, the star-studded venture tells the tale of a family torn apart by rift. Produced by Pack Up Films, the Hoichoi original looks to be a riveting commentary on modern family dynamics.

The shooting of the much anticipated film on the life of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will begin from January 19.

Noted musician Foad Nasser Babu was hospitalised yesterday at night. The news was confirmed by music composer Farid Ahmed.

Renowned actor and director Gazi Rakayet started his career on stage, where he honed his craft as an actor. He won Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Director,

Zainul Abedin is considered to be the founding father of Bangladeshi modern art. He was honoured with the title,

Dr Azmeri Haque Badhon won the 2nd runner-up title at Lux Channel i Superstar 2006, before making her way into acting. She is also a non-practicing dentist.

From empowering and motivational tracks like Shoto Asha to Shono Mohajon and to moving ballads like Rajahin Rajjo and Sritir Chera Patay, Shunno has given fans many timeless tunes over the years. Catch them on this exclusive episode of A&E live with Elita!

Syed Iqbal is a renowned Bangladeshi artist, based in Toronto. He recently completed a series of 30 paintings called, “Questioning Eyes”, in which he provided his strong impressions of the pandemic and its global impacts, using eyes as a motif.