Beyond stereotypes: Rupert Grey’s ‘Homage to Bangladesh’

Rupert Grey, a descendant of Charles Grey and best known professionally as a leading libel and copyright lawyer stood against this statement. “If Bangladesh is a basket case,” Grey tells The Daily Star, “then it is so in the best possible way.” For him, the term collapses under the sheer vitality of the country. A single square metre of a Bangladeshi street, he argues, holds more energy than entire neighbourhoods in London. Where life in England often unfolds in rigid routines, Bangladesh thrives in spontaneity—where a hanging lighter at a tea stall can become a moment of shared choreography.
25 January 2026, 12:24 PM Books & Literature
FLASH FICTION / The rickshaw artist
24 January 2026, 01:52 AM Books & Literature
FLASH FICTION / Pirouette of a phoenix
24 January 2026, 01:48 AM Books & Literature
POETRY / Memories
24 January 2026, 01:36 AM Books & Literature

EDITORIAL / Why read?
22 January 2026, 00:00 AM Books & Literature
THE SHELF / 7 new books to look out for in 2026
22 January 2026, 00:00 AM Books & Literature

INTERVIEW / Reclaiming the unwritten: Kanika Gupta on colonialism, embodiment, and the art of remembering

Gupta shares her insights on reclaiming forgotten histories, reimagining myths, and connecting ancient narratives to contemporary ecological and social concerns.
22 November 2025, 11:51 AM Books & Literature
EVENT REPORT / An eco-critical look at Sultan: Reading the manuscript of ‘Sultan Er Krishi Jiggasha’
With the aid of Duniyadari Archive, Pavel Partha’s soon-to-be-published book Sultan Er Krishi Jiggasha is a new addition, which looks at Sultan’s work from an eco-critical perspective.
8 November 2025, 11:43 AM Books & Literature
NEWS REPORT / “Curious love letter”: Wole Soyinka responds after US cancels visa
He responded to the situation with grace, mentioning “I like people who have a sense of humour".
30 October 2025, 10:45 AM Books & Literature

Maa

Delicate like butterfly wings, And yet as strong as boulders Her mind is a divine place, Eternal peace on her shoulders. 
6 January 2023, 18:00 PM

Resurrection

Rahman emerged from his grave in the middle of the night. His return from the dead took place in no more than 10 days after his passing away.
6 January 2023, 18:00 PM

Dhaka Lit Fest 2023: There's something for every young reader

Babuibela’s third edition was launched on the first day of DLF. The Babuibela (Mayurpankhi, 2020) series, written and illustrated by artist Reesham Shahab Tirtho, are picture books showing new parents’ journeys with their little ones. The book launch was also accompanied by a discussion between illustrator Tirtho and musician, artist and author Shibu Kumer Shill.
6 January 2023, 09:09 AM

Day 1 of Dhaka Lit Fest sees crowds, conversations

The first day saw a relaxed yet diverse range of topics covered in the sessions, from South Asian and world history to women’s rights, publishing, Bangla literature and film, and the legacy of BRAC founder Sir Fazle Hasan Abed.
6 January 2023, 06:00 AM

5 new books to start the new year with

Someone has to pay the price when traditions, community beliefs, and environmental issues are unheeded. 
5 January 2023, 05:05 AM

Blurry in Berlin: Amit Chaudhuri’s ‘Sojourn’

Amit Chaudhuri is one of our most gifted writers, a Bengali novelist and musician with an accomplished repertoire.
5 January 2023, 04:54 AM

On curating Slam Poetry Nights for Dhaka Lit Fest tomorrow

The most moving part about these poetry sessions is the conversations.
4 January 2023, 15:05 PM

Rifat Munim releases anthology, ‘Bangladesh: A Literary Journey through 50 Short Stories’

The book will be launched at the Dhaka Lit Fest starting Thursday, January 5, where Rifat Munim is also hosting a session.
3 January 2023, 12:57 PM

3 writers to receive IFIC Bank literary recognition

Among them, journalist and writer Mashiul Alam has been selected as the best writer for the IFIC Bank Literary Award 2020. Celebrated poet and researcher Aminul Islam and litterateur Swikrit Noman have been selected as the best writers for the IFIC Bank Literary Award 2021. 
1 January 2023, 11:55 AM

'The VIP passes are a form of sponsorship', Dhaka Lit Fest says

Those who are paying for the BDT 10,000 tickets are allowing us to keep the student and general ticket prices at an affordable rate”, said Kazi Anis Ahmed.
1 January 2023, 07:20 AM

A new book revisits guitar legend Niloy Das

Talking about the artist, co-author Milu Aman said, "Although he was admired in the world of music, many generations did not know him. This is our initiative to spread the word about the 'unsung hero' of our music, Niloy Da, and to get to know him a little more.’’
1 January 2023, 07:06 AM

Capturing the war stories of medical professionals

Muktijuddher Chikishsha Itihas captures the stories and struggles of medical professionals during the Liberation War.
31 December 2022, 09:34 AM

The top 10 audiobooks on Audible.com

'Never Finished' by David Goggins is number 1 from Nonfiction category and 'Fairy Tale' by Stephen King from Fiction.
31 December 2022, 05:00 AM

Decaying youth

Seek if you must If you believe the truth shall set you free And then? We heal.
30 December 2022, 18:00 PM

Razia Khan Amin: A Bangladeshi writer in English

As an academic, I often share with students my writings that are related to the courses I teach. That was not the case with our educators when I was a student in the Department of English at Dhaka University. The reason was not because there were no writers among our teachers.
30 December 2022, 18:00 PM

The story of this year

I don’t remember when they took it down. We asked the building supervisor, the cleaners, anyone who would listen, but nobody had a clue.
30 December 2022, 18:00 PM

How I learned to tackle big books

This is indeed a risky business.
29 December 2022, 08:32 AM

The best that we read this year

We asked the DS Books editors and contributors about the books that most moved them this year.
29 December 2022, 07:44 AM

Sixth non-fiction book fair underway at DU

This fair is organised annually with a goal of raising awareness about books related to business, economy and real-world phenomena. The organisers believe there has been a growing popularity of these books, and initiatives like this can go a long way in promoting readership.
27 December 2022, 16:26 PM

Dhaka Lit Fest tickets to go on sale soon

Some attendees have raised questions over why one would hesitate to pay for a literary event if they already spend money on watching films and going to restaurants. Students, however, have expressed opposing views. 
26 December 2022, 09:21 AM