Eminent artist Professor Abul Monsur, who was Murtaja Baseer’s colleague at Chittagong University, evaluated the creative legacy of the pioneering art maestro in a recent conversation with The Daily Star.

The first female photographer of Bangladesh, Sayeeda Khanam breathed her last on August 18, 2020. As a photographer, her list of accomplishments is seemingly endless.

Renowned singer Ferdous Wahid was admitted to the capital’s Combined Military Hospital (CMH) on Thursday for high fever. After initial Covid-19 tests came out negative, the singer has been kept at the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit for the recovery of his oxygen levels. “My friend, legendary pop artiste Ferdous Wahid, is sick and admitted to CMH. I request everyone to pray for him,” wrote Fakir Alamgir on social media. The artiste is known for hits like Mamonia, Agey Jodi Jantam and Emon Ekta Ma De Na in the 70s.

Renowned singer-songwriter S I Tutul has been tested positive for Covid-19. In a recent post on social media, he declared that he is in isolation at his own residence because of it. “I don’t know if I will pass this test from the Almighty. I am indebted to everyone who is reading this, please pray for me,” wrote Tutul.

The second edition of the protest to free journalist Shafiqul Islam Kajol is still going strong. On the third day, ten-year old puppet artiste, Chondrobindu Tota, performed live on the Facebook page of ‘Where is Kajol?’ With her ‘Abol Tabol’ puppet group. Tota is daughter of Rahul Ananda from the band Joler Gaan.

While studying at Rajshahi University, Hayatuzzaman Khan Hemon did street theatre. His acting career started with Tirthok Natok, one of the oldest theatre troupes in Rajshahi. He worked with the troupe for five years, acting in plays like Footpath, Research, Nazar Bondi, Odvut Ai Somoy and Lal Sabuj Ghere Kalo among others.

It has been more than 165 days that photojournalist and Editor of the Daily Pokkhokal, Shafiqul Islam Kajol has been imprisoned, after remaining missing till March 10. Two cases were filed against him under the controversial Digital Security Act.

Munira Morshed Munni, a student from the first batch of Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, has been working as a teacher, filmmaker and photographer for years. She was a close associate of Sayeeda Khanam, Bangladesh’s first professional female photographer, who passed away yesterday. In observance of World Photography Day, Munni shares her fondest memories of Khanam in a recent conversation with The Daily Star.

Today marks the birth anniversary of the legendary filmmaker and writer, Zahir Raihan. He was born on this day in Majupur, Feni, in 1935. His contribution to Bangladesh’s film industry, literature and journalism is immeasurable.

National Award winning actor Akbar Hossain Pathan, known by his stage name Farooque, has now dedicated himself to politics, since he is now a Member of Parliament for Dhaka -17.

Marking National Mourning Day and the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the first-ever virtual art, photography and multimedia exhibition on Bangabandhu, titled Brave Heart, began on Friday.

Noted artiste Kamal Ahmed released his solo album, Roktakto August, with the music video of the song, Roktakto August, under the banner of Laser Vision, recenty. The video was released on Laser Vision's YouTube channel on August 15.

Bangladesh’s first female photographer, Sayeeda Khanam, passed away in her own residence in Banani at 3 am today. Her family friend and filmmaker, Munira Morshed Munni, confirmed the news. “About a month ago, she fell down the stairs and got seriously hurt. She was getting better after medications, but about two days ago, she started losing strength and stopped talking,” said Munni.

Legendary Indian classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj died following a cardiac arrest at his home in New Jersey, his daughter Durga Jasraj said. He was 90.

A live programme was held on the Facebook page of Shobdogolpo, commemorating music legend Ayub Banchchu’s 58th birthday.

Eros Now, the popular entertainment OTT platform and web channel, was launched in Bangladesh on August 6. It caters to more than 186.9 million registered users and 26.2 million monthly paying subscribers worldwide. The platform known for a range of original web series and shorts will also showcase Bangladeshi content globally from now on.

As I was about to enter AB Kitchen, I was worried how the man would receive me after four long years of barely any contact. In 2014, I was a naïve teenager, who felt lucky to be included in a musical project with the great Ayub Bachchu – fascinated every time that my name would come out of his mouth.

Cartoon People launched their online weekly contest, titled Cartoon People Gaan-Toon Caricature Challenge, recently. In the sixth edition of this challenge, artistes from all over the nation were asked to play with their brushes to sketch groove-queen Xefer Rahman in a different avatars.

Tomorrow (August 17) would have been eminent artist, poet, litterateur, Language Movement veteran and versatile genius Murtaja Baseer’s 89th birthday. The art maestro passed away yesterday at 9:10 am, while undergoing treatment at the ICU unit of Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.

Freedom fighter Nasiruddin Yousuff Bachchu, the founder of Dhaka Theatre and Bangladesh Gram Theatre, is one of the most renowned cultural personalities in our country. His contribution to the theatre arena is immeasurable. The Ekushey Padak and National Film Award-winning thespian talks about National Mourning Day in a conversation with The Daily Star.