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.

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.

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.

No new episode of the popular magazine show, Ityadi, hosted by Hanif Sanket, will be released during the festive season of Eid this year. Hanif Sanket and his team were unable to record a new episode, due to the nationwide shutdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Hồ Chí Minh himself had chosen his name, which means bringer of light. Let us all conquer our selfish self and shine together with our own light as we celebrate Hồ Chí Minh’s life.

Eminent television actor Ajmeri Zaman Reshma has passed away, her son Rahber Khan and daughter-in-law Farhana Mithu say.

As early Eid gifts, popular singer Shwapnil Shojib provided new clothes to 20 street children in his locality in the first week of March, before any case of the coronavirus was reported in the nation. He also distributed clothes among 40 orphaned children in Uttara around the same time. “Being an artiste, it is my responsibility to share my happiness with the less fortunate,” he said.

Ekushey Padak-winning singer Subir Nandi charmed the audiences for decades with his melodious voice. He passed away a year ago, leaving a glorious legacy behind.

Today marks the 8th death anniversary of Shilpaguru Safiuddin Ahmed. As a pioneer of printmaking in Bangladesh and a modernist painter of the first generation, he remained reclusive in his life and his art. The underrated artist lived and worked in both the twentieth century and the new millennium. His individual style was known as indigenous modernism. Besides his experimentation with artworks, what remains majorly unknown is his skill and passion for photography. His photographs are resourceful in knowing him more intimately as well as in understanding the socio-cultural conditions of his time. His son, Ahmed Nazir, talks about the artist in a recent conversation with The Daily Star.

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Since 2015, Sisimpur has been producing a special programme to celebrate the Eid festivities. Their three-episode show, Ghore Ghore Eid, Ghore Theke Eid, will start airing on BTV from the first day of Eid, at 5:30 pm.

Deepto TV will telecast the seven-day Eid special travel show, Elizah's Travel Diary, hosted by avid traveller Elizah Binte Elahi. As of yet, Elizah, who is a teacher by profession, has travelled 49 countries around the world and all 64 districts in Bangladesh.

Actor, model, anchor and television personality Sonia Hossain has garnered immense popularity over the years, after stepping into the limelight with You Got the Look in 2003. Since then, she has appeared on numerous television commercials, projects and even a film.