Neeladri Naviya Noveli

The air crackled with quiet intensity as AKM Itmam, the rising star of “Boli (The Wrestler)”, settled into a chair at The Daily Star’s premises. He was a whirlwind of energy, a man with a flight to catch in less than 24 hours, yet he exuded a calm focus that belied his hurried schedule.

As an admirer of art, the excitement was palatable as I could see legendary artists like Rafiqun Nabi and Monirul Islam gracing the premises – it was an exclusive first look of the event, arranged by Dhaka Storytellers.