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THE YEAR THAT WAS

A walk down the major cultural events of 2014

Star Arts & Entertainment Desk
The entire year of 2014 remained rather bolstered for the cultural scene, with major events across all forms of arts spread throughout the calendar. As we await a brand new year promising to bring richer experiences for lovers of arts and entertainment, here's the first half of a recap of the major events that were held in the year, from January to June. The second half of the look-back comes out tomorrow.
Dhaka International Film
Festival begins
The 13th Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) began in the capital's National Museum's main auditorium on January 10, with the theme "Better Film, Better Audience and Better Society" It was organised by Rainbow Film Society, like previous years.
Musical tribute to Suchitra Sen
To pay homage to Suchitra Sen, the iconic artiste of Bangla films, The Daily Star organised a special musical programme titled "Gaan-e Mor Kon Indrodhonu" that was held at the new Art Gallery auditorium of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on January 30, and featured live performances of songs from Suchitra Sen's films by Fahim Hossain Chowdhury, Ferdous Ara, Iffat Ara Nargis, Parveen Sultana, Nasima Shaheen, Munir Chowdhury and Aniruddha Sengupta. The special event also held once more later at The Daily Star Centre featuring performances by the same artistes.
Chhayanaut Turns 50
Marking the Golden Jubilee of Chhayanaut, a lighthouse of cultural practice, awareness and identity, artistes, students, teachers, alumni and those who planted the seed of cultural conscience in 1963, reminisced on the fond memories of the 50 years journey in a two day (January 31 -February 1) celebration programme. It featured a musical procession, reminiscences and offerings of songs and dances at Chhayanaut Bhaban.
Month-long Amor Ekushey Book Fair begins
A month long Amor Ekushey Book Fair 2014 began at historic Bangla Academy premises and a part of Suhrawardy Udyan. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the fair on February 1. People from all walks of life attended the fair that included the launching ceremony for new books, an assemblage of poets, writers, readers, publishers and cultural personalities and a vibrant cultural event everyday throughout the month of February.
Partha Pratim Majumder receives Bangla Academy Fellowship
For his invaluable contribution to mime at global level, Bangla Academy this year conferred a honourary fellowship to internationally-famed Bangladeshi mime maestro Monsieur Partha Pratim Majumder. The maestro received the award from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the inauguration of the Ekushey Book Fair.
Dhaka Art Summit begins at Shilpakala
The second edition of Dhaka Art Summit, one of the largest platforms for South Asian art, took place from February 7-9 at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the capital. An initiative of the Samdani Art Foundation in collaboration with Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, and in partnership with Airtel Bangladesh and Golden Harvest Group, the event presented over 250 artists from the region aiming to support the development of South Asian art, bring museum-quality exhibitions to Bangladesh and promoting international artistic exchange.
The summit showcased works of artists from South Asian countries, where internationally-acclaimed artists Jitish Kallat, Runa Islam, Rana Begum, Shilpa Gupta, Shahzia Sikander, Rashid Rana, Nikhil Chopra, Rathin
Barman, Tsherin Sherpa, Farida Batool, Naeem Mohaiemen and others presented their projects.
Kamar Simon brings home Golden Conches
Kamar Ahmad Simon's documentary "Shunte Ki Pao!" ("Are You Listening!") won the Golden Conch for the best documentary in 13th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF), one of the oldest and prestigious film festivals in Asia. The award was declared in a ceremony held in Tata Centre in Mumbai, where legendary filmmakers Shyam Benegal and Adoor Gopalkrishnan handed over two Golden Conches, certificates and award money. In addition to this, Kamar also won the award for "Best Cinematography" for the same film.
Cultural programmes to herald Pahela Falgun
Heralding the arrival of spring, the nation welcomed Pahela Falgun on February 13. Dhaka residents as well as others in the country, donning ochre attire and floral garlands, performed songs, dances, drama and poems to celebrate the day.
Jatiyo Boshonto Utshab Udjapon Parishad (JBUUP) has been celebrating the day through cultural programmes for the last two decades. This year, JBUUP hold programmes at three separate venues - Charukala (Faculty of Fine Arts) of Dhaka University, Rabindra Sorobor, Dhanmondi and Bahadur Shah Park in old Dhaka.
A quarter million voices sing National Anthem in chorus
After an unofficial initiative during last year's Victory Day to gather as many people as possible to sing the National Anthem in chorus, The Cultural Affairs Ministry and Joint Armed Forces took the initiative to attempt to set a new World Record for the biggest congregation of people singing the National Anthem in chorus again. A heavy publicity campaigning was aimed at reaching the three lac mark at the record attempt, held at the National Parade Square in Tejgaon to mark the 43rd Independence Day. After two rehearsal attempts, a short speech from the Prime Minister followed - before the moment arrived. Tens of thousands glued to their TV sets waited with bated breath as the artistes on stage - led by SBBK eminent music composer Sujeyo Shyam - led the audience into the song.
Shadhinota Utshab in the capital
The entire nation rekindled the spirit of independence on March 26 through holding various programmes in a festive mood. The capital witnessed a number of celebration programmes marking Independence and National Day. Ministry of Cultural Affairs, different cultural bodies, organisations and people of all walks of life paid their homage to the martyrs of Liberation War held high the conscience of Independence vowing to make Bangladesh move forward.
"Ronangoner Epar Opar" at The Daily Star Centre
The Daily Star organised a special programme marking Independence Day, titled "Ronangoner Epar Opar", featuring reminiscences of some of the people who have been at the heart of the war, and saw it from their own perspectives. The first General Manager of Bangladesh Television Jamil Chowdhury,
Rabindra Sangeet artiste Milia Ali, noted actress Afroza Banu, and the three sisters of gallant freedom fighter Habibul Alam Bir Protik, Asma Nisar, Reshma Amin and Sayema Khan, reminisced on the days of 1971, while Munir Chowdhury and Liza performed songs in between.
1421 ushered in with fervour and festivities
People from all walks of life, in traditional attires, thronged on their favourite Pahela Boishakh celebration spots, as the Bangla New Year 1421 dawned on April 14. The Ramna Botomul, that has been hosting the Pahela Baishakh celebrations for nearly half a century - remained the prime favourite of the observers of the festival. The year's theme "Swadesh O Samprity" continued in familiar solo and resonating choral voices - be it the songs of Pancha-kobi, Lalon or Shah Abdul Karim, or recitation poems. Not far away from there, another crowd gathered in a more youthful, exuberant mode of celebration: The Mongol Shobhajatra. Students of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Dhaka University (Charukala) brought out their massive structures - fishes, owls, deer, a man on a tiger and papier-mache masks as youngsters from all over the city joined in the bustle with beats of the dhol.
Boisabi celebrated in the hills
In the Chittagong Hill Tracts, cultural coexistence and harmony in diversity is unique at Boisabi, the festival to usher in the Bangla New Year. Three predominant indigenous communities - Chakma, Marma and Tripura - celebrated the New Year in different ways and with different celebrations. Boisabi featured time-honoured religious-cultural rituals: cultural events, children's painting competitions and traditional sports like Bolikhela (wrestling) and colourful processions.
"Baul Batash" sways audience
To celebrate the spirit and festivity surrounding Boishakh, Star Melodies organised a gathering of musicians of repute, to embark on an evening of timeless melodies. Titled "Baul Batash", the event was held on April 19 at the AS Mahmud Seminar Hall of The Daily Star Centre. Artistes and audience were welcomed into a new-look auditorium with pulsating beats of dhol by Doshoroth Dhuli, after Sadya Afreen Mallick, who compered the programme, welcomed the guests. Close-Up 1 champion of 2008, Liza, Munir Chowdhury, Mofizul Islam, Kona, Abdullah Al Mamun, Sabbir and Bizon Chandra Mistry performed at the event.
Star Melodies pay tribute to singer Bashir Ahmed
A week after one of the greats of modern Bangla music breathed his last, Star Melodies arranged a memorial and musical soiree on April 26 at The Daily Star Centre with the most memorable of his melodies. Sheikh Sadi Khan, Syed Abdul Hadi and Khurshid Alam strolled down memory lane with Bashir Ahmed, while Ziaul Haq Zia, Munir Chowdhury, Bizon Chandra Mistry, Nasima Shaheen, Aloke Kumar Sen and Syed Badrul Ahsan brought to life the tunes that have immortalised Bashir Ahmed.
A boost to classical music
Music Alliance World Wide (MAWW) joined hands with Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) to arrange a classical music soiree at National Music and Dance Centre auditorium
of BSA on May 2. The soiree titled "Boishakh-e Sur Lohori" featured mainly instrumental music along with a vocal music performance by Swamamoy Chakraborty.
Oriental paintings at Zainul Gallery A weeklong Oriental Painting exhibition was held at the Zainul Gallery-2 of the Faculty of Fine Art (FFA), University of Dhaka. Oriental Painting Study Group, (OPSG) in association with The Daily Star organised the exhibition to celebrate the birth centenary of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin.
Lux-Channel i Superstar 2014 launched A vibrant programme celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Lux, and inauguration of the Lux-Channel i Superstar 2014 was held at the Westin hotel in the city on May 4. The evening sparkled with stars associated with the brand since 1964 and noted personalities from the world of fashion and glamour. Brand Ambassadors of Lux over the past five decades were present at the event, where a special book "Lux Book of Beauty and Glamour" was also launched.
Chhayanaut celebrates Rabindranath's birth anniversary Marking the 153rd birth anniversary of Nobel Laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore, Chhayanaut held a two-day "Rabindra Utshab 1421" at Chhayanaut Shangskriti Bhaban. The festival featured presentations of choral rendition and dance. Both prominent and promising artistes from across the country presented solo and choral songs, dance and recitation.
Bangladeshi music legends on one stage
Legends of Bangla music - Abdul Jabbar, Syed Abdul Hadi, Runa Laila, Sabina Yasmin, Subir Nandi, Samina Chowdhury and Rumana Islam, were brought together on one stage by HSBC Bangladesh, at Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel on May 9. Music connoisseurs and culture enthusiasts packed the hall to revisit the evergreen film songs of yesteryears performed by the living legends.
"Children of War" premieres in Bangladesh
"Children of War - Nine Months to Freedom", a film by Indian filmmaker Mrityunjoy Debabrata based on Bangladesh's Liberation War, premiered in Bangladesh on May 9.
European Film Fest held in Dhaka The weeklong second European Film Festival in Dhaka, a joint endeavour of the European Union (EU) and Star Cineplex, took place at the Star Cineplex. The goal of the film fest was to acquaint the country cinema lovers to the best films from Europe and thus strengthen cultural ties.
Photo exhibit marking BDCyclists1 third anniversary
To mark their third anniversary, of one of the strongest impact-making communities of the past couple of years, organised a refreshing photography exhibition titled "Bicycle and Bangladesh", at the capital's Drik Gallery.
"Dokkhina Sundori" travels to Commonwealth Games
For the first time, a Bangladeshi theatre production was performed at the cultural event of the prestigious Commonwealth Games. TheatrEX Bangladesh's latest stage production "Dokhina Sundori" was staged at the Tin Forest Theatre Festival with assistance from
British Council - organised to mark the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
Daily Star-Bengal Arts Precinct opens with Sultan's 'Poradrishti'
Bengal Foundations new cultural centre, the Daily Star- Bengal Arts Precinct, opened at The Daily Star Centre, through an exhibition titled "Poradrishti", of works by master painter SM Sultan from Bengal Foundation Chairman and art collector Abul Khair's personal collection. Founder and Chairperson of BRAC, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed and Professor Emeritus Anisuzzman jointly inaugurated both the centre and the exhibition. The exhibition "Poradrishti" featured 18 paintings and 15 drawings by the legendary SM Sultan.
Chhayanaut hosts 2-day Nazrul festival Chhayanaut organised a two day-long Nazrul Utshab 1421 in celebration of the bard's 115th birth anniversary, at its main auditorium on May 24 and 25. Artistes of Chhayanaut began the festival with a choral rendition of the song "Hey Partha Sarathi”, while a number of artistes, with mangal pradip, presented a lively dance to the patriotic number "Eki Oporoop Roop E Ma Tomaye”. Music, poetry and dance of Nazrul's creations were presented gracefully at the festival.
Young Artist Fine Art Exhibition at BSA The 19th Young Artist Fine Art Exhibition-2014 took place at the National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA). Organised by the Fine Art Department of BSA, the biennial exhibition featured 197 fine arts by 166 young talents. These artworks are selected from a whopping 1207 submissions by 528 artistes of the country.
Star Melodies celebrate Tagore's film songs
On the first day of Asharh, the Bengali month of monsoon, Tagore aficionados assembled at the new Daily Star-Bengal Arts Precinct in the capital as "Cholocchitrer Gaane Rabindranath" was hosted by Star Melodies, featuring live performance of Tagore songs that have been adapted in films. Fahim Hossain Chowdhury, Adity Mohsin, Shama Rahman, Bulbul Ahmed, Mohiuzzaman Chowdhury and Laisa Ahmed Lisa performed the songs, while eminent cultural personality Kamal Lohani spoke at the event.
Theatre fest on Ataur Rahman's birthday
Mancha Sarathi Ataur Rahman Karma-Udjapan Parishad and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) are jointly organising a sevenday theatre festival at BSA to celebrate the 73rd birthday of prominent theatre personality Ataur Rahman. The festival featured six plays: "Roktokorobi", "Rudro Robi O Jallianwala Bagh”, "Banglar Mati Banglar Joi", "Waiting for Godot", “Opekkhoman", and "Narigon".
World Music Day celebrated at Shilpakala
Bangladesh Sangeet Sangathan Samonnoy Parishad (BSSSP), in association with Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) arranged two-day programmes at the National Music and Dance Centre auditorium of BSA on June 21 and 22 to mark World Music Day 2014. With the theme "Esho Bishwer Sangeet-e Kontho Milai", the event featured discussion, conferring honours to two singers and musical performances by a number of solo artistes and troupes.