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El Niño may return, raising concerns over rising heat in Bangladesh
‘We still hope a solution on the reforms will arise out of parliament’
Where are Iran’s frozen assets held and how much is stuck abroad?
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Dowel Biswas

Dowel is always thinking about a million things at once and writes to make sense of it all. Feel free to send her your thoughts at ddowelbiswas@gmail.com

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Baishakh celebrations regain fervour

15 April 2026, 02:42 AM
As dawn broke over Ramna Batamul yesterday, Chhayanaut’s chorus of 200 performers lifted “Jago alok‑logone” into the morning air, opening the celebration of Pahela Baishakh 1433.
15 April 2026, 02:42 AM
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Not just child’s play: Bengal’s rhymes as cultural memory

13 April 2026, 20:12 PM
Folklorists have long recognised multiple categories within Bengali folk literature—songs, proverbs, riddles, and rhymes. Rhymes are not homogeneous; they appear in distinct functional types: nursery rhymes, social or satirical rhymes, occupational rhymes, ritual rhymes, and those associated with games. That diversity signals not triviality, but embeddedness. In their rhythmic repetition are folded patterns of labour, hierarchy, crisis and adaptation.
13 April 2026, 20:12 PM
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Chhayanaut vows to sing without fear this Pahela Baishakh

12 April 2026, 19:00 PM
The press conference closed with “Baishakh Mashe Aiso Bondhu,” returning to the language of invitation.
12 April 2026, 19:00 PM
To save a flower: Bangladesh’s birth from lyrics and bullets

To save a flower: Bangladesh’s birth from lyrics and bullets

26 March 2026, 10:00 AM
Bulletins told listeners what was happening; songs suggested why it mattered, sometimes signalling the freedom fighters on safer roads, and information that would be crucial to win the Liberation War.
26 March 2026, 10:00 AM
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Threads that refuse to fade

9 March 2026, 18:28 PM
The exhibition, titled The Handloom Tradition of Bangladesh, opened on March 8 at Bengal Shilpalay in Dhanmondi. Organised by the Bangladesh Handloom Board with support from the Bengal Foundation, the nine-day programme combines a curated exhibition with a small fair celebrating the country’s weaving heritage.
9 March 2026, 18:28 PM
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Inside Dana Wyse’s pharmacy of desire

28 February 2026, 09:00 AM
Dana’s arrival in Bangladesh carried the strange familiarity of a travelling salesperson, except that nothing she sells intends to cure anything at all.
28 February 2026, 09:00 AM
Pratul Mukhopadhyay

Pratul Mukhopadhyay, a personification of Ekushey February’s spirit

20 February 2026, 09:07 AM
Mukhopadhyay lived through the fractures of partition, the uncertainties of migration, and the routines of middle-class survival. Politics was inherited consciousness, not a slogan. Songwriting became a ledger of conscience: a daily reckoning with history, place, and identity. His voice quivered at the edges, not from lack of technique, but from the weight of feeling itself. Being Bengali was not taught; it had to be experienced.
20 February 2026, 09:07 AM
Bangladesh election symbols

‘Marka’ : The symbols mapping decades of political legacy

11 February 2026, 19:06 PM
Electoral symbols in Bangladesh are semiotic anchors, mapping decades of political life into objects instantly recognised by voters. Embedded in the textures of daily life, their meanings are layered, historically rooted, and culturally resonant. They also function as tools that can shape perception and nudge voter psychology.
11 February 2026, 19:06 PM
Artistes unfazed by heavy rain, censorship: Demand justice for students

Artistes unfazed by heavy rain, censorship: Demand justice for students

The rally was a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and reform in Bangladesh, highlighting the role of visual media professionals in amplifying the call for accountability and change.
1 August 2024, 10:30 AM
A revolutionary song for a nation amidst a ‘rising revolution’

A revolutionary song for a nation amidst a ‘rising revolution’

As the country grapples with the ongoing quota reform protests, starting from July 1 and now on its 14th day, this song serves as a poignant reminder of the power and spirit of resistance. The government's heavy-handed response to peaceful protests, marked by violence and oppressive crackdowns, draws unsettling parallels to the struggles faced by countless others in the pursuit of justice and equality.
30 July 2024, 09:26 AM
Behind Biplab Goswami’s comedy of errors, ‘Laapata Ladies’

Behind Biplab Goswami’s comedy of errors, ‘Laapataa Ladies’

To make a film is to tell a story, and when it's a cumulation of collective consciousness, to find common social grounds, values, and ordinary yet telltale stories that create the base of development of human thought and psyche is a perfect example of a much needed social and cultural commentary.
27 July 2024, 18:05 PM
Forging a war amidst a war

Forging a war amidst a war

From the heart-wrenching sacrifice of her son during the Liberation War to her relentless pursuit of justice for the thousands of Bengali mothers who also lost their children, Imam's struggle and determination were unwavering. Her fight didn't end with the war; it continued with a revolution aimed at ensuring that the most despicable traitors in Bengali history, the war criminals, faced appropriate punishment. Her unwavering commitment transformed personal tragedy into a national movement for justice and accountability.
26 June 2024, 10:30 AM
The wordsmith who enhances brands

The wordsmith who enhances brands

A gifted artiste in this domain is lyricist Tushar Hasan, who has penned all the popular songs mentioned above. His contributions have not only defined this emerging trend but have also solidified his reputation as a leading figure in the world of brand anthems.
9 June 2024, 12:36 PM
Humayun Faridee: Remembering the ‘actors’ actor’

Humayun Faridee: Remembering the ‘actors’ actor’

Humayun Faridee, a luminary of Bangladeshi stages, screens, and television, took his final breath on February 13, 2012, in Dhaka. Yet his physical departure does not signify erasure. His creations and artistry have transcended time, rendering him immortal in the hearts of his admirers. While literal victory over death is unattainable, Faridee achieved a form of immortality through the enduring legacy of his work.
29 May 2024, 11:13 AM
‘I have dedicated my life to instilling the values of our Liberation war in youths’

‘I have dedicated my life to instilling the values of our Liberation war in youths’

In an exclusive interview with The Daily Star, the eminent artiste talked about his Liberation War days, our independence, theatre activism, his upcoming film projects, and more.
21 May 2024, 18:05 PM
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Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury, a legacy beyond words

Chowdhury’s contributions go beyond this iconic song and journalism. He was a distinguished storyteller with notable works, including the acclaimed short story collection “Samrat-er Chhobi” (The Emperor’s Picture). He also authored significant novels and plays, consistently emerging as an active progressive writer and political commentator through the twists and turns of history. He was not just an observer of history but an active participant.
19 May 2024, 08:03 AM
Celebrating 100 years of Kalim Sharafi, a cultural icon

Celebrating 100 years of Kalim Sharafi, a cultural icon

As the world commemorates the birth centenary of Kalim Sharafi, his legacy as a cultural icon and activist shines brightly, illuminating the path he forged with unwavering dedication and passion. Born on May 8, 1924 into a family rooted in the village of Khairadihi, West Bengal, Rabindra Sangeet maestro Sharafi's life journey was defined by a profound commitment to using art as a catalyst for social change.
11 May 2024, 09:36 AM
Remembering Fakir Alamgir, the voice of the working class

Remembering Fakir Alamgir, the voice of the working class

Fakir Alamgir’s life embodies the spirit of May Day — representing both its struggles and triumphs. His lifelong dedication to the rights and welfare of the working class through his music marks him as a true champion of the labourers' cause.
1 May 2024, 09:14 AM
Art without limits: Bangladesh hosts inaugural International Disability Art Festival

Art without limits: Bangladesh hosts inaugural International Disability Art Festival

The National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy buzzed with excitement as the inaugural International Disability Art Festival 2024 commenced today, marking a significant milestone in arts and inclusivity.
26 April 2024, 16:08 PM
Oli Louis: The Nigerian man who fell in love with Bangla music

Oli Louis: The Nigerian man who fell in love with Bangla music

His rendition of "Shada Shada Kala Kala" marked a turning point, garnering widespread acclaim and affirming his belief that Bangladeshis would embrace him as one of their own if he pursued Bangla music wholeheartedly.
17 April 2024, 18:09 PM
Charlie Chaplin

Happy 135th Birthday, Mr Chaplin!

Despite the advent of sound in cinema, Chaplin remained true to his silent roots, continuing to produce silent films even as talkies gained popularity. Films like "City Lights", "The Gold Rush", and "Modern Times" are timeless classics that showcase Chaplin's unmatched ability to entertain and inspire.
16 April 2024, 13:27 PM
pahela baishakh, pahela baishakh celebration, pahela baishakh celebraion in Bangladesh, pahela baishakh 1431, Pahela Baishakh being celebrated across Bangladesh, first day of Bengali New Year, Bengali New Year-1431, Nobo Borsho, Pahela Baishakh festival,

Songs of Pahela Baishakh

The soul-stirring melodies of Bangla songs resonate with the essence of the largely agrarian Bangalee people, weaving tales of joy, hope, aspiration, and the story of our journey as a nation.
14 April 2024, 13:05 PM
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Bengal’s revolutionary journey through slogans

Whenever an oppressive force tried to forcefully take their land and rice, the people of this country conjured up such resistance that even the strongest of forces had to retreat.
26 March 2024, 09:24 AM
Sadi Mohammad death

Must we wait for an artiste to pass away to give them their due respect?

As the country’s most loved artiste, Rabindra Sangeet legend Sadi Mohammad, took his own life on Wednesday (March 13), around 7pm, two discussions on this untimely death have resurfaced–clasps of depression and grief and the practice of conferring national awards to artistes posthumously.
14 March 2024, 12:38 PM
I went to my mother’s grave and cried: Shibli Mohammad on Ekushey Padak honour

I went to my mother’s grave and cried: Shibli Mohammad on Ekushey Padak honour

A trendsetter by his own merit and steadfast promoter of the inclusion of male classical dancers in Bangladesh, Shibli Mohammad is trained by one of the biggest names of classical dancing in South Asia, late Pandit Birju Maharaj, the father of Kathak dance.
11 March 2024, 02:51 AM
‘Water, light and hope’: A letter from the Jamuna char lands

‘Water, light and hope’: A letter from the Jamuna char lands

In a bid to create that bridge, Standard Chartered Bangladesh (SCB) and Friendship have jointly arranged a photo exhibition to give a glimpse of the people living in sedimentary islands (chars).
8 March 2024, 06:16 AM
Bappa Mazumder’s ‘Odyssey’ is a lesson on how to arrange concerts

Bappa Mazumder’s ‘Odyssey’ is a lesson on how to arrange concerts

Bappa Mazumder devoted his second solo concert to those of his fans who missed the first one, which took place on September 23, 2022. However, seeing hundreds of his fans, from toddlers to 60-year-olds, eagerly waiting for him to sing their favourite songs at the show, the question remains: will the audiences ever get enough of Bappa Mazumder and his songs? The answer is probably no.
24 February 2024, 10:45 AM
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Sajjad Hussain chronicles Anindya Chattopadhyay’s early years in ‘Anindyakal’

The book, exploring the obscured corners of the singer’s life before his rise to fame, has been unveiled at a programme held at the Bishwa Sahitya Kendra Auditorium in the capital on Monday evening.
20 February 2024, 12:12 PM

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