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Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Screening of Naroshundor and Muktir Kotha

By Mridul Mamun / April 7, 2009

Due to overwhelming audience response, Tareque Masud and Catherine Masud's “Naroshundor,” a short thriller set in the Liberation War (1971), will be shown at a special screening on April 9, 10, and 11 at the British Council Auditorium, says a press release. 

“Naroshundor” will be screened jointly with another film by the Masuds, “Muktir Kotha” -- a documentary on genocide and war crimes committed in 1971. Entry passes will be available at the British Council gate. 

Apart from the screening, a discussion on "Naroshundor" will be held on April 9. Noted personalities will participate in the discussion.

Source: Tareque  and Catherine Masud.

Rhythm of Colours : Bangladeshi painters shine in Dubai

By Takir Hossain, April 7, 2009

Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts has organised a group art exhibition, titled “Rhythm of Colours,” at Hunar Art Gallery, Dubai. The exhibition features works of seven Bangladeshi painters: Qayyum Chowdhury, Hashem Khan, Rafiqun Nabi, Monirul Islam, Nazlee Laila Mansur, Ranjit Das and Maksuda Iqbal Nipa.

Vibrant colours, profound strokes and the characteristic green that defines Bangladesh are vital elements of Hashem Khan's paintings. Khan has contributed immensely to our art for over 40 years. Most of his works are done in oil and some are in acrylic. The dominant features in his works are the lives of the masses, fishing in the rivers, village belles, 'pitha' (rice cakes) making, cultivation in the alluvial soil, rich harvest, boats with sails floating on the rivers, moonlit night and more that define the pastoral life. Various abstract forms also find a place on his canvas. The artist is fastidious about his use of space, which gives an outstanding depth to his work.Rafiqun Nabi is well known for his paintings, woodcut prints and drawings. His paintings delightfully project the serene ambience of nature. Colours usually used by the artist are azure, yellow, ochre, red, black and emerald green -- representing rural Bengal. The colours give a torrential and imposing feel. Nabi does figurative work, painting rural folk, fishermen, kingfishers, broken bridges, buffaloes, boats, crows, wild flowers, people at leisure and gossiping. His landscapes transport the viewer to a higher realm. The artist arranges motifs in different combinations of light and shade.Monirul Islam is easily recognised as he can interpret life's diverse dimensions with his unparallel style, techniques and arrangement where colours, lines, textures and forms blend in synchronisation. His works generally highlight a dominance of mixed media, watercolour, oil, collage and acrylic. When Monir visits Bangladesh, he uses paper (a particular uneven kind that's used in packing baked food or sweets) as his medium and corrugated board. His lines are very provocative and define new dimensions. At times His works appear technique-oriented. Hope, memory, dreams, nightmares and yearning are common themes in Monir's works. 

Ranjit Das is celebrated for his flamboyant style and thought-provoking themes. From the beginning, Ranjit's works have been close to the bucolic countryside and the rural way of life. A large number of Ranjit's works depict villagers with domesticated and, often, wild animals. Their passion, pain, pleasure, bliss, contentment and dreams emerge on his canvas. All his works have in the background a story, which is familiar to us. His works give the viewer a real picture of our socio-political and economic structure. A figurative painter, Ranjit's works are distinguished for their disciplined, mindful and imposing use of colour with the compositions of semi-abstract and symbolic patterns.Maksuda Iqbal (affectionately known as Nipa) is an upcoming painter who has been trying to carve a niche in our arena of art. She likes to experiment with colour in all its various facets. Texture gives a distinct look to her work. Nipa applies colour directly, piling up thick layers on the canvas. She concentrates more on the application aspect. This creates a hallmark for her canvas.

The exhibition ends on April 9.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net

Satyajit Ray's films to be showcased in New York

By Indo-Asian News Service

New York, April 7, 2009

The work of India's greatest filmmaker and one of cinema's greatest auteurs, Satyajit Ray, will be showcased in a special series by the prestigious Film Society of Lincoln Centre in New York April 15-30.

Featuring over 20 films, with six in new 35 mm prints from the Academy Film Archive, "First Light: Satyajit Ray from the Apu Trilogy to the Calcutta Trilogy" concentrates on what is roughly the first half of Ray's career, when he broke out internationally as an important new voice in world cinema."A Ray film invites you in, but also demands that you accept it on its own terms," says Richard Pena, the Film Society's director of programming. "And those who open themselves to Ray's method are in for some of the richest experiences the cinema has to offer."
The recent spike of interest in India - from its propitious emergence as a major economic power to the worldwide success of "Slumdog Millionaire" - makes this an especially apt moment to witness and celebrate Ray's accomplishments, said the society.Ray won the Honorary Oscar for lifetime achievement at the 1991 Academy Awards, "for his rare mastery of the art of motion pictures and for his profound humanitarian outlook, which has had an indelible influence on filmmakers and audiences throughout the world".

"First Light" opens April 15 with the film that put him on the cinematic map, "Pather Panchali" (1955), which Pauline Kael wrote was "beautiful, sometimes funny, and full of love".
With a brilliant soundtrack by Ravi Shankar, to which Wes Anderson paid tribute by using it in "The Darjeeling Limited" along with music from many other Ray films, "Pather Panchali" (Song of the Road) is the first part of the "Apu Trilogy" following a boy's adventures in a remote Bengal village.The trilogy's second part "Aparajito" (The Unvanquished), made a year later, won the top prize at the Venice Film Festival (the Golden Lion). It follows Apu after his father passes away.
Finally, 1959's "Apur Sansar" (The World of Apu), made two films after "Aparajito", is considered by many as the trio's masterpiece, a deeply affecting portrait of a more opaque, ambiguous Apu struggling to discover his place in the world.


Other new 35 mm prints made possible by the Satyajit Ray Preservation Project at the Academy Film Archive are "The Expedition" (1962), "The Coward and the Holy Man" (1965), "The Hero" (1966), "The Adventures of Goopy and Bagha" (1968) and "Two" (1965), a rare short made for the Esso World Theatre.The series concluding with Ray's "Calcutta Trilogy" is described as a tribute to the work of the Satyajit Ray Preservation Project at the Academy Film Archive in Los Angeles.Together with the Satyajit Ray Film and Study Centre at the University of California, Santa Cruz, the archive has done much to preserve and promote the work of this major film artiste for future generations.With the archive currently hard at work restoring the rest of Ray's films, the society said it hoped to be able to present a series built around the second half of his career in the not-so-distant future.In conjunction with this series, a major conference on Ray will be held at Columbia University April 25.

The conference will include a keynote lecture from Robert Young, Silver Professor of English and Comparative Literature, New York University, and talks by Samik Banerjee, theatre, film, and arts critic; filmmakers Shyam Benegal and Mira Nair, and Sandip Ray, film director and the son of Satyajit Ray.

Ray died on 23 April 1992 in Kolkata, a city where he lived and on which he based most of his acclaimed films.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net

Bashonti Utshab in Sylhet

By Iqbal Siddiquee / Sylhet, April 7, 2009

A two-day 'Bashonti Uthsab' organised by the Shamakal Shurid Shamabesh (a readers' forum) concluded amidst much festivity last Saturday in Sylhet.

The festival began with an art competition for children at the central Shaheed Minar in the city last Friday morning. Shamim Akhter (widow of a freedom fighter Akhtar Ahmed), president of the Sylhet district unit of Jatiya Nari Jote, formally inaugurated the event. 

Prizes were handed among the winners in three groups. The concluding day's events included a poetry contest, discussion and a cultural programme.City Mayor Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran was the chief guest at the event. Saikat Habib, chief of Sylhet divisional chapter of Shamakal Shurid Shamabesh, and its adviser Lokman Ahmed spoke as special guests at the concluding function held at the Zila Parishad auditorium.

Shahjalal University unit of the readers' forum also organised a function at the 'C' building on campus last Friday evening. Eminent cultural activist Pandit Ramkanai Das was accorded a reception at the programme. Shahjalal University Students' Affairs adviser, Dr. Ilyas Uddin Biswas, spoke on the occasion. A daylong workshop on writing was a part of the programme. Saikat Habib conducted the programme.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net

Singer Inter District Theatre Festival ‘09 in full swing

By Staff Correspondent / Bogra, April 7, 2009

'Singer Inter District Theatre Festival 2009' began last Saturday evening at the Muktijoddha Aminul Karim Dulal Auditorium in the city. Bogra Theatre, in association with Singer Bangladesh Ltd. and other cultural organisations, has arranged the festival.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Bogra, Humayun Kabir, inaugurated the weeklong festival amidst enthusiasm.Mahbub Jamil, chairman, Singer Bangladesh Ltd; theatre personality Nasirudin Yousuff (chairman of Gram Theatre); Humayun Kabir Himu, general secretary of the organisation; Dr. Afsar Ahmed; singer Nahar Jamil, among others attended the inaugural function. A.H.M Azam Khan, president, Bogra Theatre, presided over the inaugural programme.

Bogra Theatre arranged the 22 inter district theatre festival during the last 27 years of its establishment said Taufiq Hasan Moyna, General Secretary, Bogra Theatre.

“We need individuals who will enlighten the society,” said Mahbub Jamil, adding, "there are ample scopes in the country but we often fail to utilise them for the collective benefit." He ensured that his organisation is ready to cooperate in the promotion of cultural activities. On the first day of the festival Bogra Theatre staged “Kaiborter Bidroho.”

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net

'Jai Ho' did not deserve an Oscar: Jagjit Singh

By Agencies / Apr 07, 2009

The world might be ga ga over A R Rahman's Oscar winning composition 'Jai Ho' but legendary Ghazal singer, Jagjit Singh finds the song overrated. 

The 68-year-old legend who is famous for his candid nature believes that getting the Academy award was a golden moment in Indian history but the song per se did not deserve the honour. "Getting an Oscar is no doubt a great achievement but the song, for which we got the award, is not so special. Frankly I did not understand on what basis it was awarded," Singh told reporters at a function where he released his new album 'Inteha.' The Ghazal maestro, said that he did not understand the lyrics of the composition and why it has become so popular that everybody from Indian political parties to International pop bands is eager to use it. When referred that lyrics for the song has been penned by Gulzar with whom he has given many hits, Singh said, "When I work with Gulzar Sahab I categorically tell him to write such poetry which my fans and I can understand." Singh, who has composed some hit music for films like 'Arth' and 'Saath Saath' in the 80's does not seem to have a good opinion about today's Bollywood music as he stated, "it lacks profound poetry and soulful tunes". 

The singer who started his journey in the film industry as a music composer with 'Prem Geet' in 1981 said, "It (Bollywood music) is cheap music just meant for discotheques with nonsensical lyrics." Taking a potshot at 'Delhi-6' hit song 'Masakali', Singh said that he was puzzled with the usage of offbeat words in the lyrics. The legend, who is accredited with bringing Ghazal genre, which was previously restricted to the elite classes, to the masses, felt that Ghazal scenario in India was degrading as it lacks good songwriters and passionate singers. 

The 'Baat nikalegi to fir' singer, felt that Ghazals were also lacking media patronage. 

Talking about his idol, Pakistan's famous Ghazal singer, Mehendi Hassan who is reportedly facing an acute economic crunch said, "Government cannot take care of everybody. Successful singers should invest at the right time to secure their future and then come forward to promote others as well." His latest album was launched 35,000 feet above sea level in an airplane by sitarist Anoushka Shankar. Singh said, "The album coming after two years was long due for my fans." 
All 8 tracks of the album, comprising mostly romantic songs and some inspired by philosophy of life, will be released in DVDs and VCDs. "Today it has become important to make videos of the songs to attract the young crowd. In a way its a good effort as it exposes youngsters to Ghazals and generate their interest in this, otherwise neglected genre of music."

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Aamir, Shah Rukh join hands for a cause

By Bollywood Hungama / Apr 07, 2009 

It's common knowledge that the producers/distributors [United Producers/Distributors Forum] has decided against screening any new film at multiplexes from 4th April onwards. However, a few reports in the media seem to suggest that the strike is for a limited period and the flow of new releases will recommence from 1st May onwards. Not true! 

It's interesting to note that the two superstars have set aside all personal differences to address this issue. Bravo! The strike called by the United Forum is for an indefinite period. The standoff continues with no solution in sight, while you are reading this news-piece. Another misconception that needs to be clarified pertains to the release dates. Will it get chaotic once the United Forum calls off the strike? Or will there be a systematic way of releasing new films? The Forum has decided to sit together and chalk out the release dates. For instance, a film announced for 17th April [before the strike was implemented] will be given preference over the film slated for release on 24th April or 1st May. No jumping of queue will be encouraged. 

Right now, all release dates are uncertain till the United Forum calls off the strike.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

I have not split with my wife: Hrithik

By Screen India / Apr 07, 2009

Actor Hrithik Roshan, who is shooting for his home production 'Kites' said that he had not split with wife Sussanne. Hrithik, in a statement issued here said there was no truth in reports appearing in a section of the media that Sussane had walked out of the marriage due to his affair with 'Kites' co-star Barbara Mori. The actor who returned from South Africa where he was shooting, said, "It is too funny!! Yes Sussanne has shifted to her parents' place with the kids two days ago and I was to join her on my return as there is a white ant treatment going on in my house and a section of my floor is being renovated". 

He said he was with Sussanne right now having a picnic with his kids and parents-in-law. Reports of Hrithik's alleged romantic involvement with Barbara have been doing rounds since the film's shooting in Mumbai a couple of months ago. During the shooting, Hrithik even took Barbara and her family to Lonavala. The actor, who swept all popular best actor awards for his performance in 'Jodha Akbar', and Sussanne have been married for eight years and have two sons.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Sonam Kapoor graces the cover of Hi! Blitz

By Bollywood Hungama  / April 7, 2009

She is definitely one actress with looks that defy simplicity. She is none other than Sonam Kapoor, the daughter of the ageless wonder Anil Kapoor. The April issue of 'Hi! Blitz' sees this PYT wearing clothes and accessories by Louis Vuitton and of course her trademark smile.

In this issue, she talks about her upbringing and her siblings, viz. Rhea and Harshvardhan and her relationship with her father and the rapport that they share. She also speaks about how she bagged Saawariya. We are sure that lot of you didn't know that this 'cover-girl' is an avid art enthusiast and that Anjolie Ela Menon, Jehangir Sabavala, Manjeet Bawa and likes figure on the top in her list!

This issue is a must buy for all you Sonam Kapoor fans as her photographs are a real visual treat!

Source: http://www.bollywood.com

Eminem ‘We Made You’ Lyrics

By Bryan McAffee

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

He’s back! After a five year or so absence, Eminem is back with a new album on the horizon. His new single was just released, and it has some . . . interesting lyrics. I’m not the biggest fan of rap music in general, however I can’t deny the general talent of Eminem. The movie 8 Mile was simply amazing, especially when they have their “rap off” at the end. Actually, I kind of like this new song, it points out that many of these celebrities are simple creations of a brain dead society and that “we made them” who they are. It’s a very satirical song (although I confess I don’t get the Star Trek references in the video below. 

However, I get the feeling that some conservatives might not like some of the lyrics of Eminem’s newest single, and probably for good reason. For one thing he raps about having sex with Sarah Palin and some look alike of her is very prominent in the video (it might even be the girl from the infamous Nailin’ Palin video)> 

Here are some of the Lryics:

Well I can be as gentle and as smooth as a gentleman
Give me my venom, an inhaler, and two Xenadrine,
And I’ll invite Sarah Palin out to dinner, then
Nail her. Baby, say hello to my little friend. 


Heh, classy. For those of you who are interested in the video, I’ve included it below. Its not vulgur, but certainly suggestive, maybe NSFW.

Source: http://www.rightpundits.com

Shilpa Shetty on the cover of Cosmopolitan!

By Bollywood Hungama / April 7, 2009

'Shilpa Shetty: She has got balls!' screams the headline of the latest issue of 'Cosmopolitan'. Shilpa, for starters, looks hot on the cover of this mag, which has her talking about almost everything under the sun!When asked about what made her join the IPL, 'Miss Long Legs', without a moment's hesitation goes on to say, "Why not! Banal as it may sound, I love cricket and have been an athlete through college." Shilpa also goes to give some more gyaan about the promotional music video that she has shot for her team - Rajasthan Royals.

With Shilpa doing so many things these days be it IPL, films, television etc., one would wonder if she is a human being or a superwoman in disguise. To which she says, "I thought that Superwoman never gets tired. I get exhausted!"

This mag also talks about Shilpa's connection with 'Iosis'. And if all this wasn't enough, 'Cosmopolitan' also adds 5 well-kept secrets about the Shetty girl, making this issue an interesting read.

Source: http://www.bollywood.com

Madonna on failed Mercy adoption: 'It's not right'

BY Bill Hutchinson / April 7th 2009

Madonna devastated after officials blocked her adoption of a 3-year-old girl from Malawi, telling aides, "it's not right."The Material Girl, who is now back in London, even referred to Chifundo (Mercy) James as "my little girl" before heading home, Australia's Herald Sun newspaper reports."I can't believe I'm leaving my beautiful baby behind," she said. "It's not right. I love that baby girl ... she needs to be with me."Madonna's daughter Lourdes was reportedly heartbroken that her mom was barred from the adoption.The 50-year-old pop icon looked downcast after spending her final hours with Mercy, the child a judge blocked her from adopting last week, before jetting out of the country. 

"Madonna spent some time with Mercy; she looked sad. But Lourdes, who had clicked with the little girl, looked devastated," a staffer at the Kumbali Lodge where Madonna had been staying, told People magazine. Anne Chikhwaza, director of the Kondanani Children's Village, took the girl back to the orphanage, the staffer said. The recently divorced singer has already filed an appeal of the court ruling that found her not eligible to adopt the girl because she hasn't lived in Malawi. 
Madonna had hoped to make Mercy her second child from Malawi, where she adopted her son David in 2006.

Source: http://www.nydailynews.com

Original Beatles digitally remastered

Tue Apr 7, 2009

by Mike Collett-White, editing by Paul Casciato

The original Beatles catalogue has been digitally remastered for the first time and will go on sale in CD format on September 9, the band's record label and company announced on Tuesday.The release will coincide with the launch of "The Beatles: Rock Band" video game, the quartet's first major leap into the world of digital music.The catalogue will not be available online for the foreseeable future, although the digital remastering is widely seen as bringing that process one step closer.

"Discussions regarding the digital distribution of the catalogue will continue," a statement issued on behalf of record label EMI and Beatles company Apple Corps Ltd said.

"There is no further information available at this time."

Fans of arguably the world's most successful pop band, with album sales of more than 600 million worldwide, are eager for the Beatles to release the catalogue online.The group is one of the few big acts left whose music is not available on Apple Inc's iTunes, but the settlement of a trademark dispute between Apple Inc and Apple Corps Ltd in 2007 was seen as finally clearing the way.The new collection comprises 12 Beatles albums in stereo, with track listings and artwork as originally released in Britain, and "Magical Mystery Tour", which became part of the Beatles' core catalogue when the CDs were released in 1987.In addition the collections "Past Masters Vol. I and II" are combined as one title, making up 14 titles overall.

"This will mark the first time that the first four Beatles albums will be available in stereo in their entirety on compact disc," the statement said.The 14 albums will be available for purchase individually or together in a stereo boxed set.For the specialist collector, there will be another boxed set called "The Beatles in Mono" which combines all of the Beatles recordings that were mixed for a mono release.The albums were remastered by a team of engineers at EMI's Abbey Road Studios in London over four years using up-to-date recording technology alongside vintage studio equipment.

Source: http://uk.reuters.com

Yahoo revamps its music site

By Troy Wolverton

Yahoo is opening up its music site, allowing users to access content and buy songs and other items from a range of providers.Beginning today, consumers who visit the artist pages on Yahoo Music will be able to gain access to music videos stored on YouTube, listen to Internet radio streamed from Pandora or buy songs from iTunes. Users will be able to customize how they view the artist pages, moving preferred services or content higher on the page and removing ones they don't use at all.

The move is the latest in Yahoo's ongoing renovation of its music site. Although Yahoo Music is one of the most heavily trafficked music sites, it faces a tough challenge from up-and-coming sites such as MySpace, which has become the online home for many bands and their fans.
In recent years, Yahoo provided a range of paid or proprietary features, including selling music and offering its own Internet radio service. But now it's betting that it can better compete against MySpace and other music sites by getting back to its roots as a conduit to information and services provided by other companies.

"Yahoo's been talking a lot about having an open strategy. This is our play in music to do that," said Michael Spiegelman, general manager for Yahoo Music. "We want to be the starting point" for music fans.Yahoo's new strategy has potential, said Mike McGuire, a media analyst at Gartner, a technology research firm. But it would have had more promise 
Advertisementseveral years ago, before consumers' music habits had formed, he said.

If consumers now go directly to iTunes to buy music or to Ticketmaster to buy tickets, it's uncertain they will want to go to a site like Yahoo Music first, McGuire said."It's going to be tough," he said. But noting that Yahoo has huge traffic, McGuire added: "If they can funnel it into Yahoo Music and provide a value that's unique, then there is room for it."The relaunch of the artist pages on Yahoo is the latest in a series of changes to its music site. Last year, the company closed its subscription music service, choosing instead to direct customers to RealNetworks' rival Rhapsody service. In February, Yahoo shut down its personalized Internet radio service in favor of a partnership with CBS.

Although Rhapsody and CBS will continue to get preferential treatment on Yahoo Music, today's revamp will link consumers to rival services.Later this year, Yahoo plans to allow third-party developers to build widgets — or small modules — to add content or services to its music site. Like MySpace, the company also plans to allow musicians to have areas on Yahoo Music where they can publish information for fans.Spiegelman did not discuss how much money the music site makes for the company. But he did say Yahoo will get a referral fee from companies when customers make purchases on their sites after being directed to them by Yahoo Music. 

However, those commission fees are not the main point of the revamp, said Spiegelman. Instead, the company is trying to make the site more appealing to advertisers by offering something that will encourage consumers to return more often, he said."When you talk to advertisers, they are interested in things that are new and different and innovative," Spiegelman said.

Ultimately, the success of the revamp will be decided by the advertisers, the service providers to whom Yahoo wants to direct traffic and sales, and the bands and music labels who are trying to get word out about their latest songs and albums, McGuire said.

"They need to see the payoff," he said.

Source: http://www.mercurynews.com