Tazin Ahmed: A multi-tasking persona

Syeda Shamin Mortada

Satarday, April 18, 2009

Versatility could very well be Tazin Ahmed's middle name. She is a multi-tasking celebrity who has made her mark in many fields -- ranging from performances in the theatre and small screen, as a journalist, playwright, TV anchor and director. 

Tazin grew up in a cultural environment with a strong belief that hard work and dedication would enable her to create a niche for herself, which she successfully did with her down to earth attitude and exceptional acting chops.

Tazin completed her HSC in 1992 and in 1994 joined the daily Bhorer Kagoj. In 1997 she took up a job with Prothom Alo and became a staff reporter in 1998. She was also a columnist for Anondo Bhubon and a freelance contributor to Bangla Bazar. In 2002, she joined Mercantile Bank as a public relations officer. One year later she took up the mantle of programme executive with ntv. She staged her entry on the small screen in 1996. Alongside she became associated with theatre troupe Natyojon. In 2000 she joined Aronyak and is still a member of the troupe.Eventually the load got to her and in 2004 she decided to focus on acting and writing. To date Tazin has scripted around 12 plays and directed a few as well. Commenting on her role as director she says, “Directing a few plays does not make one a professional and I'm not comfortable when termed as one.”

Talking about her current work, Tazin says, “I'm starring in a daily soap called 'The Family' which will be on air soon. The story is about an extended family. Another 26-episode serial titled “O Bondhu Amar,” directed by Hiru Khan and written by Imdadul Haque Milon, will be aired soon.”

On her future plans, she says, “It's very hard to plan when you are a media professional. You are bound to be frustrated if things don't go according to plan. I feel that the TV channels and the media should change their perspective. Instead of going in for the narrow circle of sponsors, the channels should concentrate on quality. Only then will we have good writers, actors, directors and anchors.”

Whether it is writing, acting or anchoring, the vivacious Tazin knows to give it her best shot each time. No wonder she has a firm position in the hearts of her fans.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net

Mel Gibson's Girlfriend: Mystery Solved?

By Sara Hammel

Saturday April 18, 2009

Shortly after Mel Gibson's wife Robyn filed for divorce last week, details emerged about a woman the actor-filmmaker has been spending a lot of time with – even taking her on a family vacation to Costa Rica – named Oksana. She is, sources tell PEOPLE, a Russian singer signed to Mel Gibson's record label, Icon Records. 

Now the identity of his mystery girlfriend may be revealed: Public records suggest Oksana Grigorieva, 39, an ex of former James Bond star Timothy Dalton, has lived in a house linked to Gibson, 53. 

The home, purchased in Sherman Oaks, Calif., in December 2008, has an ownership trust administered by the CFO of Mel Gibson's production company, Icon. While neither Grigorieva nor Gibson have commented, Grigorieva certainly resembles the leggy brunette photographed with Gibson on the Boston set of his upcoming film, Edge of Darkness, and seen frolicking in the surf with the star in Costa Rica. 

A composer, Grigorieva is dedicated to her craft, her former agent Victor Kruglov tells PEOPLE. "She'll never give up with her music," says Kruglov, who has seen photographs of Mel's mystery woman and believes she and Grigorieva are one and the same. "She loves it." 

Though she rarely confided in him about her love life, Kruglov says Grigorieva did once complain about trouble with a boyfriend – but stopped short of sharing specifics. "She was always very discreet about her personal business," he adds.

She has one son with the 69-year-old Dalton, Alexander, who is based in Los Angeles.

Source: http://www.people.com

Bacon retrospective at Prado

Takir Hossain

writes from Madrid, April 18, 2009

Francis Bacon is an internationally reputed painter whose retrospective exhibition is now on at the Prado Museum (Museo Del Prado), Madrid, one of the oldest and significant museums in the world. Prado has jointly organised the exhibition with Tate Britain in London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.Bacon is one of the most powerful English painters of the 20th century. In the exhibition, the Prado aims to recall Bacon´s death in Madrid on April 29, 1992 and his visits to the museum towards the end of his life.

Bacon was unique in his vision, dream and expression. As an experimental painter, he delved into figures and searched for inner struggle and pain of human beings through his uncanny paintings. In particular, facial expressions and various parts of the human body are his focal point. His artwork is recognised for its aggressive, bold, brutal, homoerotism and horrifying imagery. He did not hesitate to draw anything in his lifetime. His vision of the world was entirely individual, surrounding images of sensuality and cruelty. Most of his figures are distorted, deformed and his artistic obsessions were clearly expressed. Portraits were very important for Bacon and he defined them as the classic 20th century genre. 

When Bacon first emerged to public recognition, in the aftermath of the Second World War, his paintings were addressed with horror and awfulness. Reference to poetry and drama became a central element in his work of the 1960s and he had become the leading figure of avant-garde British Art. One could simply say that he was original in his thinking process and innovative ideas. By closely observing his works, it characteristically shows an isolated manly figure in a cage. The figure carries a different perspective and almost brawny movement. Red, orange, blue and black are the predominant aspects in his works.

Bacon painted his friend John Edwards, whom he met in 1976. Here he is represented dressed only in underpants on a chair. His right leg is crossed and shoulder turned forward.

At the exhibition, the selection of 62 paintings by Bacon is displayed in a chronological order and in various thematic sections of his work at different decades of his career: specifically Animal, Apprehension, Crucifixion, Zone, Crisis, Archive, Portrait, Memorial, Epic and Late.

The exhibition ends on April 19.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.com

Amrita Arora's dream honeymoon in Europe

By Bollywood Hungama News Network

April 18, 2009

'Matches are made in heaven!'

How perfect is this saying in the case of the recently wedded Bollywood lass Amrita Arora. After a three day wedding ceremony, Amrita and her hubby Shakeel Ladhak have set off on the blissful path of a married life. Bollywood Hungama came across these images that shout out the idyllic life these two are currently enjoying.

Amrita and Shakeel are back from their three-week honeymoon in Europe. The ever shimmering lass describes her honeymoon as nothing but a fantastic road trip. The couple had originally planned to go to Mexico, but had to change the venue because of the civil strife there. The trip, which was entirely planned by Shakeel, started from Barcelona to Spain, Paris, Italy, Capri, Venice, Florence and London. 

Amrita, who is known for being a shopoholic was for a change subdued as the trip was aimed more at exploring the cities and locals they visited. Though most of the destinations are prime shopping spots, Amrita managed to hold her resolute, and by the look of the images, we are certain that she enjoyed herself.

One thing is for sure, at the end of their honeymoon, the couple is soaring on cloud nine and we at Bollywood.com wish them all the luck for the years to come.

Source: http://www.bollywood.com

Eight local artists win awards in Khagrachhari

Jasim Majumder

Khagrachhari, April 18, 2009

Khagrachhari Hill District Council (KHDC) recently handed out awards to eight top artistes of the first musical talent hunt programme in Khagrachhari district. 

The venue was the town hall auditorium in the district. 

The award ceremony was presided over by KHDC Chairman Ruhity Karbari while Refugee Affairs chairman, Jatindra Lal Tripura was chief guest. 

Sonia Das, who clinched the title, came from Guimara thana, and the other lucky winners were Monisha Sarker, Baishakhi Sarker (Ramghor upazila), Rashed Uddin Shahin (Shantinagor), Runa Laila (Zianaghor), Boijoyanti Khisha (Narankhaiya), Purna Barua (Krishi Goveshana area under Sadar upazila) and Mohammad Jewel (Panchhari upazila). 

Deputy Commissioner A.K.M. Khairul Alam, Sadar upazila chairman Mohammed Shany Alam, KHDC councillor Abu Bakar Siddik, additional superintendent of police Ameer Jafar were present and delivered speeches on the occasion. Later they handed out prizes, crests and cash to the top eight competitors.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net

Phalke Kalptaru award to Prithvi Raj Kapoor

By Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama News Network

April 18, 2009

Dadasaheb Phalke Academy is organizing an award function on 4th May to commemorate with 140th birth anniversary of Dadasaheb Phalke at Bhaidas Auditorium, where many film dignitaries will be felicitated. Prominent among them are Manoj Kumar [who will be conferred upon with Phalke Ratna Award], Shammi Kapoor [Phalke Legend Actor Award] and Shamshad Begum [Phalke Golden Singer Award].

Prithvi Raj Kapoor will be honored posthumously with Phalke Kalptaru Award and his 2nd, 3rd and 4th generations will be present to receive this honor. Ashutosh Gowariker will be the recipient of Phalke Memorable Commercial Film Award on this occasion, where Mahesh Bhatt will be the chief guest.

Source: http://www.bollywood.com

Traditional ‘Charak’ festival in Pabna

Ahmed Humayun Kabir Topu

Pabna, Sunday, April 18, 2009

The traditional annual Charak festival was held recently amidst much festivity at the Bothor village in Chatmohar upazila under Pabna district. The three- day long festival marked the end of the Bangla year 1415. Bothor Shib Mandir was the organiser of the festival.

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva (Shib) emanated a message of freedom to the humankind under a Charak tree.

With modest and humble beginnings, the festival is now celebrated by the masses and elites alike. On this auspicious event, devotees pay their homage to the Divine by offering milk and sugar and placing wreathes at the base of the Charak tree. This particular tree is in front of the Bothor Shib Mandir. Devotees from other areas of the country and abroad, too, come to this festival every year.

“The Charak festival begins on Chaitra 30 of the Bangla calendar and ends with the celebration of Pahela Baishakh,” says Ashok Kumar Shaha, president of Bothor Shib Mandir and also the president of the Charak festival. The celebrations did not end here -- as in previous years; a fair was organised at the temple premises, he added.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net