Bangladesh Art Week (BAW) promotes art appreciation worldwide, through a platform for both emerging and established artists to showcase their artworks. It offers an unrivaled connection to the art world by uplifting local art and artists through interaction, guidance and exposure. Celebrated art collector and promoter Niharika Momtaz is the founder of the platform, while Mohammed Mohsin is the co-founder.

Freedom fighter and National Film Awardee Humayun Faridee is considered to be one of the most beloved artistes of the country till date. He won the hearts of millions with his masterful acting and charisma on the theatre stage, television and the silver screen. The actor would have been 68 today. We look back at some of his most iconic performances, on his birth anniversary.

The music room of Baul Ranesh Thakur was burnt down by unidentified miscreants on May 18. Thakur, a disciple of Baul Shah Abdul Karim, is an independent troubadour.

Today marks the 44th death anniversary of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, the founding father of Bangladeshi art and art education. He dedicated his entire life to promoting art in our part of the world. Known for his leadership in organising art movements, Abedin started the Government Institute of Arts and Crafts (now Faculty of Fine Arts) in 1948 at the Dhaka University (DU) campus. He was the founding principal of the institute. Qamrul Hassan, Safiuddin Ahmed, Shafiqul Amin, Anwarul Haq were contemporaries of Abedin. Their generation depicted the changing social realities through their art.

Ekushey Padak winner and Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendra artiste Sujeyo Shyam was discharged from Kurmitola General Hospital in Dhaka on May 27, confirmed Timir Nandy, another Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendra artiste. Shyam was hospitalised with COVID-19 like symptoms, and is now out of danger.

With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, our life is well acquainted with the new normal, to maintain the next best mode of livelihoods. Amid the economic downturn, different sectors are trying their best to cope by introducing alternate strategies, following the nationwide shutdown.

Today marks the 121st birth anniversary of our National Poet, Kazi Nazrul Islam. Although he is vastly known for his literary works and music, he also had a remarkable journalistic life. Among the numerous newspapers and magazines that he worked for, Nobojug was his stepping-stone to journalism. This year marks the birth centenary of the daily. It is befitting to discuss the poet’s journey as a journalist with Nobojug, on his birth anniversary.

Ek Raat Er Golpo, composed, penned and arranged by Arafat Mohsin Nidhi, will be released a night before Eid -Ul-Fitr. The track is sung by Nemesis frontman Zohad Reza Chowdury.

Arifin Shuvoo has long mesmerised cinema-goers with his dashing charm and tremendous acting prowess. However, this Eid, the actor has surprised his fans by lending his voice to Monta Bojhena, a love song written by K Zia and composed by Fuad Al Muqtadir. “We had a blast recording this song two years ago,” wrote Shuvoo on social media, while he dedicated it to his fans. The song was made available on the artiste’s YouTube channel.

Hridoy Khan, a talented singer, multi-instrumentalist and composer, has released his latest song, Abaro. The melodious track, written by Maliha Tanjin Tani, has garnered a lot of positive reaction from music lovers overnight. Helmed by the artiste’s own HK Productions, the direction and video editing was also undertaken by Hridoy Khan.

Eid is the biggest religious festival celebrated in Bangladesh. While it is knocking at the door, no special excitement surrounds the entertainment world this time.

Expensive gear, intricate DAWs and state-of-the-art noise cancelling – is what a top-tier musician is used to while recording.

Concerns over the coronavirus pandemic forced television producers and directors to stop productions at once, since the nationwide shutdown began in March. As a result, a number of television projects were put on hold.

Cartoons, an art form packed with humour and wit, have been engaging audiences since centuries. They have the ability to express grave issues in light-hearted ways. However, not all cartoonists opt out for only serious messages.

Addatimes, a popular Bengali entertainment OTT platform and web channel with music, original web shows and short films, is set to launch in Bangladesh during Eid-Ul-Fitr, this year.

One of the highlights of this year’s quarantined Eid might just be Arnob’s new song, Chorakata. The artiste has been regularly practicing and recording music during these trying times, which is a welcome news for Bangla music listeners all over the world. Chorakata has been written by Rajib Ashraf, who sent the lyric to Arnob online. Taking a liking to it, the artiste instantly composed it. Buno, Saadul Islam and Imran Ahmed have lent their talents to complete this much-anticipated song. The music video, made by Abrar Athar, is comprised of previously captured footages, as well as self-made ones from the artistes at the comfort of their homes. Arnob now resides in Shantiniketan, where he is in self-imposed quarantine.

Renowned vocalist and anchor Alif Alauddin has released Opekkha, a song which incidentally had wo wait 5 years to reach the listeners. “In 2015, Niaz Ahmed Aungshu sent me the lyric for Opekkha. I was enamoured with how beautiful it was, and wanted to do justice to it.” The music was eventually composed by industry veteran Ridwan Nabi Pancham. “Since the lyricist is a renowned figure from the 90’s, I wanted someone like Pancham compose it. He did it in only two days!” The music video, available on Alif’s YouTube channel, was directed and edited at home by Kazi Faisal Ahmed.

Marking the 121st birth anniversary of our National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, national celebrations will take place on May 25. BTV and other TV channels will air performances, recorded prior to the coronavirus outbreak in the country, by the Dance Department of Nazrul Institute. The performances are directed by renowned Manipuri dancer and choreographer Warda Rehab.

Gems of Nazrul will pay their homage to the National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam marking his 121st birth anniversary on May 25. BTV and other channels will air the 12th production of Gems of Nazrul – a prayer song ‘Jago Amrito Piyashi Chito’, along with a spirited song, ‘Tora Shob Joyoddhwani Kor’ in the morning of the day. The online videos of both the songs will also be on YouTube.

The television industry of Bangladesh is facing massive losses amid the coronavirus pandemic. TV shoots had resumed from May 17, with certain conditions, to compensate for the losses to some extent. However, the decision to resume shooting has been suspended for the time being.