Masuma’s mysticism

By Saad A Khan

Dhaka, Friday, April 10, 2009

Masuma Khan's works evoke optimism through the subtle caressing of her brush. The colours she uses are drawn from the lush green of vines, periwinkles and ripe fruits. She splays them in her frame that creates a world in itself, which takes the viewer back to the vibrancy of our culture.

At her ongoing 13th solo exhibition, at Alliance Française de Dhaka, she has decided to showcase both acrylic and water colour. While the former brings a bright and glossy facade to her art, accentuating the passion and fruitfulness of lavender and orchid, the latter gives a translucent quality that evokes a sense of belonging and peace through the azure skies and alpine rivers. She has blended the two techniques to present the anxieties of women, solitude of a naive pigeon, warmth of nature and the longing of a lover. In short, her dreams, visions and hopes, pull the viewer within the mystical periphery of her paintings.When asked how she chooses the colours for her work or decide the positioning of subject, she mischievously adds that it has grown into a habit. She closes her eyes before she starts and immerses in her multihued whirlpool of thoughts, this is later envisaged on her canvas -- very much like a wizard who, in magical tales works wonders with a wand, except in this case, the wand gets replaced by Khan's prodigious brush. 

Khan recalls that the idea of the exhibition first hit her when she was doing her Bachelor's at Charukala (Faculty of Fine Arts, Dhaka University). She decided to hold an exhibition that would evoke nostalgia. A case in point is her painting 'Vandarkadi' (her village) where the cotton touches of turquoise and canary mesmerise viewers, a pigeon brooding in quiet greenery, symbolising the current disconnected peace. Golden fish shimmer through the aqua blue vibe of the art piece 'Water' and the flamboyant Phalgun is personified as a gorgeous woman, with dark eyelashes. Khan does not fail to depict an individualistic feature in every work: a chink of hope, a theme she has successfully captured in this exhibition. 

She blends abstract with reality and creates illusion. Be it the yellow ochre slender arms of a virgin, merging with the omnipresent tranquillity of nature behind, or the cobalt bark of the tree with the vapid worry of the women in 'Worried Women,' Khan holds the viewer in her grip. The essence of hope never eludes her work. Hope is there through her brushstrokes that outline a lover's eyes. The viewer sees hope through Khan's eyes, and feels at peace too. 

The exhibition ends on April 17.

The writer is a freelance contributor

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net

Musical soiree by Rabirashmi

By Cultural Correspondent, The Daily Sata

Dhaka, Friday, April 10, 2009

As part of their regular programmes on Tagore, Rabirashmi held a musical soiree titled 'Gaaney Gaaney Rabindranath' at Begum Sufia Kamal Auditorium, National Museum on April 8. 

The event started with a discussion. Tagore artiste and director of Rabirashmi, Mahadev Ghosh; Matiur Rahman, adviser, Rabirashmi and former Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra artiste Anup Bhattacharya spoke on the occasion. A one-minute-silence was observed in memory of Syed Shamsul Huda, former adviser, Rabirashmi, who passed away on January 19.The cultural programme started with a choral rendition of Rabindra Sangeet -- “Bishwabina robey,” “Dhirey dhirey bao ogo utol hawa” by members of Rabirashmi. The programme featured renditions of several familiar Rabindra Sangeet.Rabeya Akhter performed “Ogo dokhina hawa,” Sushmita Saha sang “O amar chander alo” and Sushmita Hossain performed “Orey grihobashi khol dwar khol”. The ever-familiar, “Eto dinjey boshey chhilem” was presented by Dilip Kumar Ghosh. Other solo performances were by Sharmin Rahman Choiti, Syeda Qamrun Nahar, Ajit Kumar Das, Mahadev Ghosh, Shamim Ara Begum and others.

The programme ended with a chorus of the Tagore song, “Bashontey phool gathlo” by artistes of Rabirashmi.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net

Twinkle Khanna arrested, released on bail

Agencies
Posted: Apr 10, 2009

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar's, wife Twinkle was arrested and later released on bail for her alleged obscene behaviour during a recent fashion show, police said. 

"Twinkle surrendered before the police yesterday after which we arrested her. She was accompanied by her lawyer," an officer from Santacruz police station told reporters, adding she was released on a bail of Rs 950 after completing necessary formalities. 

"We will arrest Akshay also after he comes back to India in a couple of days," the officer said. 

Anil Nair, a Mumbai based social activist had registered a police complaint alleging obscenity after Akshay unbuttoned his jeans with the help of Twinkle during a fashion week held last month in suburban Santacruz.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Celebrating spring with music and dance

By Ahmed Humayun Kabir Topu

Pabna, Friday, April 10, 2009

Dancers performed at a festival with the songs “Aaji mon-e mon-e lagey hori,” “Orey bhai phagun legechhey bon-e bon-e,” “Aaji gaaner taal-e hridoy doley” and other songs celebrating the bounties of spring. The event organised by 'Gontobbo' was held at Pabna Town Hall last Wednesday. 

Earlier, at a discussion, vice chairman of Pabna Sadar upazila, Shamsunnahar Rekha spoke as the chief guest. Bodrun Nahar, president of the organisation, chaired the programme. Among others, assistant education officer Md. Moinul Hasan and dance trainer Ibrahim Tonmoy spoke on the occasion. Speakers focused on the uniqueness of Bangla seasons. Each season plays an important role and the Bengali heritage is entwined with the distinct look nature takes on as seasons change, they said.Of the six Bengali seasons, 'Bashonto' (spring) bestows nature with bounties in the most profound way. New foliage brightens up the surrounding, they added. There are countless odes to spring by poets. Innumerable songs and writings in Bengali literature eulogise the season. 'Bashonto Utshab' (celebration of spring) is an integral part of our cultural heritage. 

At the programme, artistes danced with songs on Bashonto. Shinchan, Shithi, Atonu, Anonna, Konka, Aorpa, Aishi, Rupa, Piu and others performed at the event. Trainers Tonmoy and Mrinmoy conducted the festival.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net

Charukala abuzz

By The Daily Star

Dhaka, Friday, April 10, 2009 

Like every year, students of Charukala (Faculty of Fine Arts, DU) are gearing up to celebrate ‘Pahela Baishakh.’ This year, the preparations started from March 25 under the banner of ‘Baishakh Udjapan Parshad-1416.’ Several items like ‘shora’, ‘tyapa putul’, masks, T-shirts, scarves and watercolour paintings by the students are sold at Charukala premises to generate funds for the Baishakhi celebration. Silvia Naznin, a student of MFA in Painting and member of the celebration committee, informed that an auction of artworks by the teachers of FFA started from yesterday. Proceeds from the sales will go to the celebration fund for arranging a three-day ‘Chaitra Shangkranti-Baishakhi’ programme. Price-range of the items is between tk. 100 and 5000. The three-day celebration will feature a Baishakhi rally, special programme on ‘Chaitra Shangkranti,’ ‘Bashakhi Utshab,’ ‘jatra-pala’ and more. The slogan of this year’s Baishakhi celebration is “Esho Rudro, Esho Shokti, Esho Mukti.”

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net

Tagore’s Gora launched

By Mushfique Wadud

Dhaka, April 10, 2009

Omni Books arranged the launching ceremony of the English translated version of Gora by Radha Chakravarty, at the Genetic Plaza in Dhaka on Wednesday.Professor emeritus Anisuzzaman attended the ceremony as the chief guest. Professor Syed Manzoorul Islam and poet Syed Shamsul Haq, among others, spoke on the book.Eminent personalities from the socio-cultural arena also attended the programme.‘This work will encourage Tagore’s fans to translate more works of Tagore,’ said Anisuzzaman.‘Translation is a difficult task and Radha did that difficult task brilliantly,’ he added.Syed Huq read out two paragraphs of the main book and translated them. ‘It is a brilliant work of Radha. The translator has used his innovativeness,’ he said.

Source: http://www.newagebd.com

Bollywood stokes curiosity with unusual film titles

IANS

New Delhi, April 10

Whether it's Karan Johar's "Wake Up Sid" or Farhan Akhtar's "Kartik Calling Kartik", the trend of coining unique or unusual film titles has caught up with Bollywood filmmakers.

From the use of numbers to a mix of English and Hindi words, producers and directors say they try to grab viewer attention right from the word go - which is the film title.Talking about "Kartik Calling Kartik", Farhan said: "Isn't that an intriguing title? It's supposed to generate curiosity. And to that extent it succeeds."

Other such film names include Raj Kumar Santoshi's "Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani", Rajat Kapur's "Rectangular Love Story", Shyam Benegal's "Abba Ka Kuan", Deepti Naval's "Do Paise Ki Dhoop, Chaar Aane Ki Baarish", Sanjay Dutt starrer "Chatur Singh Two Star" and Vishal Bhardwaj's "Kaminay".

KEEP READING>>>>>

Source: http://www.bollywood.com

Aamir's Speech At Producers - Distributors Press Meet!

By Bollywood Hungama News Network

April 10, 2009

Aamir Khan in a press conference shares his view points on an ongoing issue between Producers - Distributors fight for equal share from the Multiplexes at an event held in Mumbai recently. Let's watch what he has to say at this occasion. Must watch!

Source: http://www.bollywood.com

Prachi Desai, Ekta Kapoor go shopping to chor bazaar for their next film together

By Subhash K. Jha of Bollywood Hungama

April 10, 2009

At last Ekta Kapoor's favourite protege Prachi Desai is doing a film for Ekta's Balaji Films.

The petite beauty who played Farhan Akhtar's rock steady wife in Rock On is all set to play underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's soul mate Mehjabeen in Milan Luthria's Once Upon A Time In Mumbai.

Ekta and Prachi have been catching up on all the video footage that's available on the lady, and they've been hunting for clothes all over. In fact Prachi went all over the Muslim localities of Mumbai last month including Haji Ali to pick up authentic salwar-kameez.

Says Prachi, "That's true. I didn't want to get into yet another wife's role after Rock On and Life Partner. Come on, yaar! I'm so young. I want to have fun and I keep getting these serious roles. But playing the don's life partner in Once Upon A Time ... was a challenge that I couldn't resist."

The role requires Prachi to look like a Muslim working-class girl in 1975 who gets involved with a don. Prachi put the offer on hold for a month, did her research and then got back to the director.

"This character is from a time that existed before me. Yes I've done plenty of reading on my character. I want to look and feel like Mehjabeen. And it's such a challenge. And doing a film with Balaji is like coming home. Shobha Aunty, Jeetu Uncle and Ekta are like family. I remained connected with them when I did Rock On because it was directed by Ekta's cousin Gattu (Abhishek Kapoor). My second film Life Partner has Ekta's brother Tusshar Kapoor as my co-star. And now I'm finally doing a Balaji production."

Interestingly, Ekta never offered Mehjabeen's role to Prachi.

Says a source close to Ekta, "Ekta would never offer roles to people close to her, whether it's Tusshar or Prachi. She lets the director take a call."

Source: http://www.bollywood.com

Al Pacino set to play Napoleon

Agencies
Posted: Apr 10, 2009

Academy award winning actor Al Pacino, who had a longtime wish to don the character of Napoleon, is now getting a chance to play the French emperor in an on-screen adaptation of children's book "Betsy and the Emperor." 

GC Corp, the venture capital fund, has picked up rights to the project and will assign the production of the film to Killer Films, with plans to begin in late autumn, the ‘Hollywood Reporter’ said. 

Directed by John Curran of the 'The Painted Veil' from a screenplay by Brian Edgar, the film will be based on the children's book by Staton Rabin. 

The book is said to about the true story of Lucia Elizabeth Balcombe, whose father was Napoleon's jailer during his exile on St Helena. 

The two struck up a friendship and rumors flew that the exiled Emperor was romancing the teenager, though it has never been proven.

Source: http://news.google.com

Jen and Pitt's date angers Jolie

Agencies

Posted: Apr 10, 2009

After rumours that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's relationship had hit a rocky patch, recent reports claim that a date between Pitt and his former wife Jennifer Aniston has rubbed Jolie's wounds again. While Aniston has been in Manhattan shooting for 'The Baster' she was determined to arrange a get-together with Pitt, who was watching the kids at the Waldorf-Astoria while Jolie filmed 'Salt', the ‘Star’ magazine reported. 

"Jen made two appointments at the hotel's Guerlain Spas, hoping she would run into Brad" However she wasn't leaving it all to chance so she gave him a call. 

"Jen called Brad to say she was in New York and would love to see him," the insider revealed. 

"She wanted to talk to him about some things on her mind. Brad was only happy to catch up," the insider added. 

However Jolie was not so pleased with the idea and she reportedly yelled at Pitt for half an hour. 

"When Angelina arrived back at their hotel after a long, grueling day on the set, Brad let her know he'd decided to meet Jen for lunch. But for Angie, it wasn't just a simple lunch date. It was yet another instance of Jen crowding their relationship. Angie was blindsided, shocked and hurt." 

"She yelled at him for a half-hour. She walked out of the room and told Brad, 'I can't even look at you right now,” the insider added. Jolie's chauffeur reportedly picked her up, and she rode around the city for hours fuming in anger.

Source: http://news.google.com

Jessica Biel ‘a natural stripper’

By ANI

Posted: Apr 10, 2009

Actress Jessica Biel could become a professional stripper, according to her dance coach. 

The 27-year-old beauty, who is being trained in the skill for new movie ‘Powder Blue’, could take up dancing as a career because it comes naturally to her, said the actress’ coach, renowned burlesque stripper Cati Jean. 

“From our very first session she picked it up and in no time reached professional level,” the ‘Daily Express’ quoted Biel, as saying. 

Cati, who runs a French cabaret show in Hollywood, said she would love to include Biel in a future performance. 

“She comes from a dance background, so that helped, but she was also very hard-working. She achieved such a high level I’d like to have her as a guest star in our show,” Jean said. 

However, the actress said: “I had so much to do and so much to learn. I have a great respect for the women who do this for a living.”

Source: http://news.google.com

Jack Tweed plans to open restaurant in Jade Goody’s honour

ANI

Posted: Apr 10, 2009

Jack Tweed is reportedly planning to open a high-class restaurant in honour of his late wife Jade Goody. 

The restaurant, to be opened in Essex, will serve “international cuisine” and the menu will reflect late Big Brother star’s taste in food. Tweed, 21, has teamed up with best pal Mark Wright and is in talks with various TV channels to film their progress. 

Mark’s cousin Elliott Wright, who has eight restaurants on Spain’s Costa del Sol, has also been roped for help. 

“Jack has got a great entrepreneurial spirit,” Mirror quoted a close friend of Tweed as saying. 

“They have ruled out London. They want a high-class, trendy place in Essex. 

“They haven’t decided on the name but Jack wants it to be something to do with Jade,” the friend added.

Source: http://news.google.com

Lindsay insists: My relationship with Sam is not over

ANI
Posted: Apr 10, 2009

Lindsay Lohan insists her romance with Samantha Ronson is not dead and buried. 

The ''Mean Girls'' actress reportedly split from her DJ girlfriend last week, but now she has come out and defended her relationship with her lesbian lover. Asked how she was coping without Samantha, Lindsay replied: "You guys make it seem like it's so over, but it's not. People take breaks. It's OK. It's normal, they focus on themselves." 

According to media reports, the ‘very much single’ Lindsay is struggling to cope with the end of the relationship and has reportedly taken to asking paparazzi where Samantha is so she can go and see her, reports ‘The China Daily’. A source said: "Lindsay was out on Tuesday (07.04.09) at a tattoo parlour. She was calling the paps to see who Samantha was with at the Chateau Marmont." 

Following the news of the break-up, Lindsay's grandmother Marilyn has spoken of her concern for her granddaughter. Speaking from New York, she said: "All the family would like to reach out to her. We're all here for her and we'd love to see her. Me, as a grandmother, I'd like to try and help her out, but she's not here, she's in Los Angeles. I think she needs her family in her life, but they're not. They should be. I haven't seen her in over a year. 

"I think what happened is she's had too much too fast. She was on her own too early."

Source: http://news.google.com

Madonna to build family home in Malawi

By ANI
Posted: Apr 10, 2009

Pop queen Madonna is planning to build a family home in Malawi after the failure of her adoption bid, it has emerged. 

Last week a judge turned down her bid to adopt four-year-old Mercy James because she hadn’t lived in the country for 18 months. The Material Girl has asked her architects to build home in the African country, as she believes adopted son David Banda would benefit from a connection to his birthplace. 

“Madonna has a big, beautiful plot of land over there already. She’s planning to build a girl’s school in the Chinkhota village and those designs are well under way,” the ‘Sun’ quoted a source as saying. 

“But she’s gone back to the designers and asked if they could accommodate a family home on the plot or on adjacent land,” the source added.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Britney Concert Goes Up in Smoke

By E! Online

Apr 9, 2009

The latest stop on Britney Spears' Circus tour featured a little too much smoke and not enough mirrors.The pop star has issued an apology to ticket holders of last night's Vancouver show after smoky conditions on stage led to a 30-minute delay of the concert—a delay that came just three songs in after Spears walked off stage without explanation, leaving the crowd to sit (and boo) in the dark arena.

"The building is awfully smoky," an announcer finally explained to the sold-out crowd, per the Vancouver Sun. "It's become uncomfortable and unsafe for the performers, including Ms. Spears."Please extinguish all cigarettes…The show will resume as soon as the air around the stage is clear."

A spokesman for Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment, which owns GM Place, the Vancouver venue where the concert was held, said that despite initial reports claiming the smoky air was a byproduct of toking-up concertgoers, the smoke was believed to be from cigarettes, not marijuana.(The rep did not comment on why anything was being lit up in the first place, given as smoking indoors is illegal there.)

"We want to apologize to all the fans who attended our Vancouver show tonight for the brief pause in Britney's set," reads a statement on Spears' blog. "Crew members above the stage became ill due to a ventilation issue."

Source: http://new.music.yahoo.com

There is no method to my madness: Deepa Mehta

Agencies

Posted: Apr 10, 2009

Known for her daring choice of subjects in filmmaking, director Deepa Mehta has now taken up yet another challenge that of adapting Salman Rushdie's 'Midnight's Children' into a film. 

The Booker prize winning title by Rushdie incorporates ambiguous themes of 'magic realism,' said to be almost impossible to be portrayed on the visual medium.
But that has not deterred the director who in her own words "loves challenges" and took the project because of its formidable nature. 

"There is no method to my madness. I love challenges and adapting 'Midnight's Children' is a challenge for me but it is very fascinating at the same time," Mehta told a reporter in an interview.

KEEP READING>>>>>

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Mischa Barton strips off for Cosmopolitan

ANI

Posted: Apr 09, 2009

Hollywood actress Mischa Barton has proved she's comfortable with her body image – by stripping off for the latest edition of Cosmopolitan. 

The actress has come a long way since her gaunt-looking, skinny days, and is more than happy to be healthier. 

"It's human nature to be self-critical, but it's possible to like the way you look. I'm happy now - I wouldn't change my body, and I couldn't anyway. The only way to be happy and be a more enjoyable person to be around is to embrace what you've got. Everyone has issues about their body, but I feel confident now. I'm healthy and happy," the ‘Sun’ quoted her as saying. 

Barton also revealed that she loves the way Liv Tyler looks, but she is content with her own looks and has learnt to embrace her flaws. 

"There are women I admire - I think Liv Tyler is beautiful. But that's as far as it goes.I know I'm never going to look like her and I'm not into surgery, or changing the way I look. I think it's better to embrace what you have and play on your good points," she said.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Eminem's Palin Spoof Condemned By Bill O'Reilly

By Billy Johnson

Posted Thu Apr 9, 2009

Eminen's new video "We Made You" mocks women who have dominated the news in the last year. Set up as a spoof of the Bret Michaels reality show Rock Of Love, Em pokes fun of Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, Kim Kardashian, Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Aniston, Amy Winehouse, Ellen DeGeneres and Sarah Palin.

KEEP READING>>>>>

Source: http://new.music.yahoo.com

YouTube and Universal to launch premium music site

By Yinka Adegoke

Fri Apr 10, 2009

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Google's YouTube and Universal Music Group, the world's largest music company, said on Thursday they will launch a premium music video website as they bid to increase revenue from YouTube's huge usage.

The new advertiser-supported site, featuring professional videos, will be called Vevo and is expected to launch in coming months, the companies said.

KEEP READING>>>>>

Source: http://uk.reuters.com