Marking the 47th anniversary of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), a two-day celebration programme began yesterday at all their branches.

Ekushey Padak and National Film Award winning actor passed away around 9 am today morning, at his residence in Puran Dhaka, at the age of 79. The news was confirmed by S A Haque Alik, General Secretary, Bangladesh Directors' Guild.

Eminent personalities, family members and well-wishers, paid a rich tribute to the country’s pioneering classical musician and educationist on his birthday.

“Chobi Mela Shunno”, held from February 12 to 21 in DrikPath Bhobon at Panthapath, introduces a fresh perspective on different art forms to spectators and art lovers.

In spite of a pandemic looming over us, noted poet and painter Shamset Tabrejee was inspired to create a series of new paintings, which are currently being exhibited at Dwip Gallery in Lalmatia, Dhaka.

"[Off] Limits", a group exhibition currently underway in "Chobi Mela Shunno” at DrikPath Bhobon, features projects by fourteen South Asian artistes. Yasmin Jahan Nupur’s ‘Time could not be kept at bay’ is one of the featured artworks in the exhibition, which includes performance photographs, text display and a video.

Ekushey Padak and National Film Award winning actor A T M Shamsuzzaman was hospitalised after suffering from breathing problems. He was taken to Asgar Ali Hospital in Gendaria on February 17, for treatment. He tested negative for Covid-19. The actor has now returned home.

While walking through the galleries of this year's “Chobi Mela”, one would notice a wall covered with black posters. Right at the centre of each poster, there is a picture of a single tooth. Under the picture, it says ekta boka lokher daat. ekta, a grammatically incorrect phrase. The poster is bizarre and one might even wonder what it was doing there in the first place.

Ekushay Padak and National Award winning actor A T M Shamsuzzaman has been hospitalised after suffering from breathing problems. He was taken to Asgar Ali Hospital in Gendaria last evening, and is currently under treatment, his wife Runy Begum informs The Daily Star.

In its array of collaborative initiatives, “Chobi Mela Shunno” introduced ‘Chapakhana Archive’, a research project. On the fourth floor of the DrikPath Bhobon, an excerpt of a nine-month project, exploring documents and local histories of print in Dhaka and its production technologies, is on display. The framework of the exhibition comes from Mara Züst’s research for her project, ‘Kolkata — City of Print’, in association with Pathshala.

"Go Back To Roots'', a solo project by artist Joydeb Roaja, is currently on exhibit in "Chobi Mela Shunno'' at DrikPath Bhobon, Panthapath. It features 10 artworks, along with a video, and attempts to highlight the cultural identities of indigenous communities in the hill tracts of Chattogram.

Renowned actor-turned-director, Tauquir Ahmed, known for his multiple national award-winning work, is all set to release his brand-new film “Sphulingo”, on March 17, marking the 100th birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The top fifty contestants of Flora Bank Miss Universe 2020, have been selected. According to Miss Universe Bangladesh organisers, the competition saw a total of 9,256 registrations this year.

`cMarking Solidarity Day, students of the ninth batch of Pathshala honoured Ashrafi, also known as the Chobiwala of Bihari Camp Bazaar at “Chobi Mela Shunno''. A temporary studio was set up at the rooftop of DrikPath Bhobon, which not only allowed the audience to interact with the photographer, but also to get soaked in nostalgia. In a candid conversation, Ashrafi shared his story with The Daily Star.

“[Off] Limits”, a group exhibition currently underway in “Chobi Mela Shunno” at DrikPath Bhobon, features projects by fourteen South Asian artistes. As a part of the festival’s intention of celebrating and promoting art, the photographs on display focus on life amidst the pandemic, while also looking back at the past to reminiscence over elements that have been forgotten.

Najmun Nahar Keya’s artistic journey began in Old Dhaka, where she grew up in the midst of beautiful architectural wonders and a family that encouraged her creative aspirations. Her artworks exhibit her inclination towards nostalgic memories, associated with archival photographs of her family, architectural beauty, new materials, recent societal and global political events, and personal experiences. Keya co-curated many shows before, but her first ever solo curated show is “Frozen Song”, an exhibition inspired by architect Bashirul Haq, currently underway at “Chobi Mela Shunno”.

Noted music composer Ali Hossain, creator of songs like “Osru Diye Lekha E Gaan”, and “Holud Bato Mendi Bato”, breathed his last at a hospital in the United States of America on Tuesday at 4:15 pm (local time).

Starting his career with the blockbuster "Kashem Malar Prem", noted actor S M Aslam Talukder, known by his stage name Manna, starred in numerous hits throughout his career. Today marks his 13th death anniversary.

In the podcast episode, ‘Contemporary Dissent – Echoes of the 80’s’ by “Chobi Mela Shunno'', Lotte Hoek and Catherine Masud share their experiences, looking back at their journeys in the late 1980’s and early 2000’s in Bangladesh. They talk about the parallels and differences in their journeys.

''Chobi Mela Shunno'', currently underway at DrikPath Bhobon, celebrated Solidarity Day on February 15. A panel discussion featuring female journalists and photojournalists was held on that day. Moderated by Saydia Gulrukh, the discussion featured Joyeeta Roy, staff journalist at Bangladesh Protidin, Sabina Yasmine, staff photojournalist at Prothom Alo, Sadia Marium, member of the Kaali collective and Zyma Islam, staff reporter at The Daily Star.