Poet-academic-translator Mohammad Shafiqul Islam’s third book, Inner State, explores the current issues plaguing the world-- poverty, class inequality, climate crisis, warfare and terrorism, and the effects they leave on the environment and human lives.

The organisation is currently present in the Ekushey Boi Mela at Bangla Academy field’s stall number 77, under the banner of their own publication house, Bidyanondo Publications. “All of the decorations in the stall are made from waste products,” says Kishor Kumar Das, Founder, Bidyanondo Foundation. “Our aim is to raise awareness about waste material -- they can be recycled and they turned into useful products.”

A 17-day theatre festival, Ekusher Aloke Natya Pradarshani, is underway at Kabi Nazrul Auditorium, Sylhet. The annual arrangement, organised by Sammilita Natya Parisahad Sylhet, was inaugurated on February 1. The fest opened with the staging of O Mon Pahia by Manipuri Theatre.

Guiding young adults through their academic and professional journeys, Md Tajdin Hassan and Rafeed Chowdhury made their debuts as authors with‘The Transition: How To Move From Fear Zone to Growth Zone’, published by The Daily Star Books, at the Ekushey Boi Mela, this year.

The city has become the epicenter of art, as Dhaka Art Summit 2020: Seismic Movements (DAS 2020) began yesterday at the National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA).

Helal Shah’s solo painting exhibition, Ankora, is currently underway at EMK Center in Dhanmondi.

Loke Ki Bolbe, an exclusive Ekushey Boi Mela release, authored by Ayman Sadiq and Sakib Bin Rashid, explores the conversations revolving around societal expectations and pressures.

A film on Bangabandhu’s life, commemorating his 100th birth anniversary, is in the making as a joint venture by Bangladesh and India. Eminent director Shyam Benegal is directing the film.

Uncensored with Rafi Hossain is one of The Daily Star’s flagship programmes, where stars of all arenas drop by to participate in a heart-to-heart conversation with the host, Rafi Hossain.

Folk music reality show, Magic Bauliana, has returned with a third season. The first episode of the show was aired yesterday. It will be telecasted every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm on Maasranga Television.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Department of Public Libraries, the British Council’s Libraries Unlimited Programme celebrated the third National Library Day, recently. The event, ‘Porbo Boi Gorbo Desh, Bangabandhur Bangladesh’, consisted of a rally, discussion session and cultural programme.

Bangladesh Band Gen Next is a project aimed to promote young and upcoming bands by providing them with a unique platform to express their talents. The programme has selected 26 young bands from Chattogram for its first run.

A panel discussion, featuring Mohaiemen with Sociologist Seuty Sabur, Anthropologist Manosh Chowdhury and Chief Curator of Bengal Foundation Tanzim Wahab will also be held during the inaugural ceremony of the exhibition.

Popular actor Ashna Habib Bhabna started her journey as a writer with the novel Gulnehar, three years ago. Bhabna’s second book, Tara, came out during the Ekushey Boi Mela next year. Both Tara and Gulnehar were widely appreciated by readers.

Celebrated art connoisseurs, collectors and entrepreneurs Rajeeb and Nadia Samdani, also the cofounders of the Samdani Art Foundation, have been organising Dhaka Art Summit biennially since 2012.

Tomaszewski, the prize-winning photographer and pedagogue, has been a correspondent for National Geographic magazine since 1986, serving as the head consultant to the Polish edition since 1999. He has traveled the world, collecting stories and secrets through pictures, with a sincere look at the less glamorous corners of life.

Veteran artiste Arati Das, Kolkata’s first cabaret queen who became popular as ‘Miss Shefali’ in the 1960s and 70s, passed away due to a cardiac arrest at her residence in Sodepur in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.

Kirk Douglas, one of the last superstars of Hollywood's golden age of cinema renowned for his intense, muscular performances in "Spartacus" and "Paths of Glory," dies aged 103.

Film director, producer, screenplay writer, film critic and actor Francois Roland Truffaut has made over 25 films in his career spanning the last 3 decades. Pioneering the Nouvelle Vague (New Wave) movement in French films, Truffaut’s character Antoine Doinel from his autobiographical film, The 400 Blows (Le Quatre Cents Coups), was well received by the audience, both home and abroad.

Renowned artist Nazia Andaleeb Preema’s 22nd solo exhibition, Preema Donna, is underway at Nalini Kanta Bhattasali Gallery of Bangladesh National Museum (BNM).