A bookworm at heart, Niaz Mehedi started writing for different platforms from a young age. In 2018, his thriller novel, Aulad Miyar Bhaater Hotel, published by Batighor and released at the Ekushey Boi Mela, attracted a significant number of readers.

Promising artist Soma Surovi Jannat won the Samdani Art Award at the Dhaka Art Summit 2020 (DAS 2020), this year.

The solo art exhibition, titled 11 Gates to Visual Basics by artist Kazi Salahuddin Ahmed has begun at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD).

The 14th edition of Oikko Channel i Music Awards, powered by Saif Power Tec Limited, was held at The Palace Luxury Resort in Sylhet, recently.

The Liberation War Museum organised a three-day musical event, Freedom Music Fest, starting from February 6. The festival aimed

Poet-academic-translator Mohammad Shafiqul Islam’s third book, Inner State, explores the current issues plaguing the world-- poverty, class inequality, climate crisis, warfare and terrorism, and the effects they leave on the environment and human lives.

The organisation is currently present in the Ekushey Boi Mela at Bangla Academy field’s stall number 77, under the banner of their own publication house, Bidyanondo Publications. “All of the decorations in the stall are made from waste products,” says Kishor Kumar Das, Founder, Bidyanondo Foundation. “Our aim is to raise awareness about waste material -- they can be recycled and they turned into useful products.”

Natyam Repertory’s 6th production, Dear Liar was held yesterday at Studio Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

A 17-day theatre festival, Ekusher Aloke Natya Pradarshani, is underway at Kabi Nazrul Auditorium, Sylhet. The annual arrangement, organised by Sammilita Natya Parisahad Sylhet, was inaugurated on February 1. The fest opened with the staging of O Mon Pahia by Manipuri Theatre.

Guiding young adults through their academic and professional journeys, Md Tajdin Hassan and Rafeed Chowdhury made their debuts as authors with‘The Transition: How To Move From Fear Zone to Growth Zone’, published by The Daily Star Books, at the Ekushey Boi Mela, this year.

The city has become the epicenter of art, as Dhaka Art Summit 2020: Seismic Movements (DAS 2020) began yesterday at the National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA).

Folk music reality show, Magic Bauliana, has returned with a third season. The first episode of the show was aired yesterday. It will be telecasted every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm on Maasranga Television.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Department of Public Libraries, the British Council’s Libraries Unlimited Programme celebrated the third National Library Day, recently. The event, ‘Porbo Boi Gorbo Desh, Bangabandhur Bangladesh’, consisted of a rally, discussion session and cultural programme.

Bangladesh Band Gen Next is a project aimed to promote young and upcoming bands by providing them with a unique platform to express their talents. The programme has selected 26 young bands from Chattogram for its first run.

A panel discussion, featuring Mohaiemen with Sociologist Seuty Sabur, Anthropologist Manosh Chowdhury and Chief Curator of Bengal Foundation Tanzim Wahab will also be held during the inaugural ceremony of the exhibition.

Popular actor Ashna Habib Bhabna started her journey as a writer with the novel Gulnehar, three years ago. Bhabna’s second book, Tara, came out during the Ekushey Boi Mela next year. Both Tara and Gulnehar were widely appreciated by readers.

Tomaszewski, the prize-winning photographer and pedagogue, has been a correspondent for National Geographic magazine since 1986, serving as the head consultant to the Polish edition since 1999. He has traveled the world, collecting stories and secrets through pictures, with a sincere look at the less glamorous corners of life.

Helal Shah’s solo painting exhibition, Ankora, is currently underway at EMK Center in Dhanmondi.

Loke Ki Bolbe, an exclusive Ekushey Boi Mela release, authored by Ayman Sadiq and Sakib Bin Rashid, explores the conversations revolving around societal expectations and pressures.

Veteran artiste Arati Das, Kolkata’s first cabaret queen who became popular as ‘Miss Shefali’ in the 1960s and 70s, passed away due to a cardiac arrest at her residence in Sodepur in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.