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Pay scale: When will govt employees get a pay hike?
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Dowel Biswas

Dowel is always thinking about a million things at once and writes to make sense of it all. Feel free to send her your thoughts at ddowelbiswas@gmail.com

Rezauddin Stalin Photo Sheikh Mehedi Morshed

Rezauddin Stalin’s Shilpakala and its unfinished reform

13 August 2026
Nearly a year into his tenure, Stalin says much of the disorder has been addressed through tolerance, discipline and greater engagement. But his account of a functioning and increasingly accessible institution raises a larger question: has Shilpakala’s internal culture actually changed, or has its structural dependence on political and bureaucratic authority simply acquired a different face?
13 August 2026
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The changing climate of political satire

5 August 2026
Censorship, political labelling and organised backlash have shadowed the profession for decades. The latest example came when one of the country's most prominent political satirists, Mehedi Haque, found himself at the centre of coordinated criticism for doing what political cartoonists are expected to do: draw satire in response to the national conscience.
5 August 2026
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‘The scarcity of actors forced me back on stage’

4 August 2026
There is a particular irony in watching Syed Jamil Ahmed return to the stage after more than four decades as an actor. One of Bangladesh’s most influential theatre directors, who has spent much of his career shaping actors from the other side of the performance, is suddenly subject to the same conditions he has long asked performers to navigate.
4 August 2026
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Golmatha Ar Chokhamatha / The heads we are taught to hate: A poignant adaptation fit for our political climate

27 July 2026
Staged from July 23 to 25 at the Nilima Ibrahim Auditorium of Bangladesh Mohila Samity, "Golmatha Ar Chokhamatha" felt particularly relevant to Bangladesh's present political moment.
27 July 2026
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Reclaiming the cultural meaning of monsoon

16 July 2026
Alongside celebrating the monsoon through dance, the organisers will raise funds for people affected by the recent floods in the Chattogram Hill Tracts through a donation campaign in partnership with the JAAGO Foundation.
16 July 2026
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300 dancers, aged from 3 to 70, to enthrall Charukala tomorrow

16 July 2026
Alongside celebrating the monsoon through dance, the organisers will raise funds for people affected by the recent floods in the Chattogram Hill Tracts through a donation campaign in partnership with the JAAGO Foundation.
16 July 2026
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The stories we choose not to see

10 July 2026
Bangladeshi-American storyteller, novelist, and screenwriter Sharbari Ahmed has little interest in familiar, formulaic narratives. Instead, she is drawn to stories that exist at the margins—stories that reveal themselves quietly, carrying all the complexity and contradictions of real life.
10 July 2026
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Fifty years without Zainul Abedin / The artist who documented collapse and endurance

28 May 2026
Fifty years after he died in 1976, Zainul Abedin no longer exists as a living presence. What remains is a body of work that has hardened into history, layer by layer: famine sketches, rural labour scenes, scrolls of catastrophe, and figures that still appear to look back at us with unsettling calm.
28 May 2026
The wordsmith who enhances brands

The wordsmith who enhances brands

A gifted artiste in this domain is lyricist Tushar Hasan, who has penned all the popular songs mentioned above. His contributions have not only defined this emerging trend but have also solidified his reputation as a leading figure in the world of brand anthems.
9 June 2024
Humayun Faridee: Remembering the ‘actors’ actor’

Humayun Faridee: Remembering the ‘actors’ actor’

Humayun Faridee, a luminary of Bangladeshi stages, screens, and television, took his final breath on February 13, 2012, in Dhaka. Yet his physical departure does not signify erasure. His creations and artistry have transcended time, rendering him immortal in the hearts of his admirers. While literal victory over death is unattainable, Faridee achieved a form of immortality through the enduring legacy of his work.
29 May 2024
‘I have dedicated my life to instilling the values of our Liberation war in youths’

‘I have dedicated my life to instilling the values of our Liberation war in youths’

In an exclusive interview with The Daily Star, the eminent artiste talked about his Liberation War days, our independence, theatre activism, his upcoming film projects, and more.
21 May 2024
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Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury, a legacy beyond words

Chowdhury’s contributions go beyond this iconic song and journalism. He was a distinguished storyteller with notable works, including the acclaimed short story collection “Samrat-er Chhobi” (The Emperor’s Picture). He also authored significant novels and plays, consistently emerging as an active progressive writer and political commentator through the twists and turns of history. He was not just an observer of history but an active participant.
19 May 2024
Celebrating 100 years of Kalim Sharafi, a cultural icon

Celebrating 100 years of Kalim Sharafi, a cultural icon

As the world commemorates the birth centenary of Kalim Sharafi, his legacy as a cultural icon and activist shines brightly, illuminating the path he forged with unwavering dedication and passion. Born on May 8, 1924 into a family rooted in the village of Khairadihi, West Bengal, Rabindra Sangeet maestro Sharafi's life journey was defined by a profound commitment to using art as a catalyst for social change.
11 May 2024
Remembering Fakir Alamgir, the voice of the working class

Remembering Fakir Alamgir, the voice of the working class

Fakir Alamgir’s life embodies the spirit of May Day — representing both its struggles and triumphs. His lifelong dedication to the rights and welfare of the working class through his music marks him as a true champion of the labourers' cause.
1 May 2024
Art without limits: Bangladesh hosts inaugural International Disability Art Festival

Art without limits: Bangladesh hosts inaugural International Disability Art Festival

The National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy buzzed with excitement as the inaugural International Disability Art Festival 2024 commenced today, marking a significant milestone in arts and inclusivity.
26 April 2024
Oli Louis: The Nigerian man who fell in love with Bangla music

Oli Louis: The Nigerian man who fell in love with Bangla music

His rendition of "Shada Shada Kala Kala" marked a turning point, garnering widespread acclaim and affirming his belief that Bangladeshis would embrace him as one of their own if he pursued Bangla music wholeheartedly.
17 April 2024
Charlie Chaplin

Happy 135th Birthday, Mr Chaplin!

Despite the advent of sound in cinema, Chaplin remained true to his silent roots, continuing to produce silent films even as talkies gained popularity. Films like "City Lights", "The Gold Rush", and "Modern Times" are timeless classics that showcase Chaplin's unmatched ability to entertain and inspire.
16 April 2024
pahela baishakh, pahela baishakh celebration, pahela baishakh celebraion in Bangladesh, pahela baishakh 1431, Pahela Baishakh being celebrated across Bangladesh, first day of Bengali New Year, Bengali New Year-1431, Nobo Borsho, Pahela Baishakh festival,

Songs of Pahela Baishakh

The soul-stirring melodies of Bangla songs resonate with the essence of the largely agrarian Bangalee people, weaving tales of joy, hope, aspiration, and the story of our journey as a nation.
14 April 2024
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Bengal’s revolutionary journey through slogans

Whenever an oppressive force tried to forcefully take their land and rice, the people of this country conjured up such resistance that even the strongest of forces had to retreat.
26 March 2024
Sadi Mohammad death

Must we wait for an artiste to pass away to give them their due respect?

As the country’s most loved artiste, Rabindra Sangeet legend Sadi Mohammad, took his own life on Wednesday (March 13), around 7pm, two discussions on this untimely death have resurfaced–clasps of depression and grief and the practice of conferring national awards to artistes posthumously.
14 March 2024
I went to my mother’s grave and cried: Shibli Mohammad on Ekushey Padak honour

I went to my mother’s grave and cried: Shibli Mohammad on Ekushey Padak honour

A trendsetter by his own merit and steadfast promoter of the inclusion of male classical dancers in Bangladesh, Shibli Mohammad is trained by one of the biggest names of classical dancing in South Asia, late Pandit Birju Maharaj, the father of Kathak dance.
11 March 2024
‘Water, light and hope’: A letter from the Jamuna char lands

‘Water, light and hope’: A letter from the Jamuna char lands

In a bid to create that bridge, Standard Chartered Bangladesh (SCB) and Friendship have jointly arranged a photo exhibition to give a glimpse of the people living in sedimentary islands (chars).
8 March 2024
Bappa Mazumder’s ‘Odyssey’ is a lesson on how to arrange concerts

Bappa Mazumder’s ‘Odyssey’ is a lesson on how to arrange concerts

Bappa Mazumder devoted his second solo concert to those of his fans who missed the first one, which took place on September 23, 2022. However, seeing hundreds of his fans, from toddlers to 60-year-olds, eagerly waiting for him to sing their favourite songs at the show, the question remains: will the audiences ever get enough of Bappa Mazumder and his songs? The answer is probably no.
24 February 2024
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Sajjad Hussain chronicles Anindya Chattopadhyay’s early years in ‘Anindyakal’

The book, exploring the obscured corners of the singer’s life before his rise to fame, has been unveiled at a programme held at the Bishwa Sahitya Kendra Auditorium in the capital on Monday evening.
20 February 2024
Unveiling the Rich Tapestry of Japanese Culture through Dolls

Unveiling the Rich Tapestry of Japanese Culture through Dolls

In the exhibition, the development and changes in the shape of the dolls are represented according to the important time periods of Japan. This can be seen through the shape of the dolls, from the traditional to the collector figure. Not only that, this exhibition also displays “Ningyo” forms and styles with characteristics from each region in Japan.
2 February 2024
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Prachyanat School to celebrate ‘Raktakarabi’s’ centenary with new production

Under the direction of Shawkat Hossain Sajib, the school will stage the play on Monday, January 29, at 7:00pm at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy's National Theatre Hall. Prachyanat, which is renowned for its socially and politically aware grand theatrical presentations, is going to stage the epic play as part of its biannual school productions.
26 January 2024
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Dr Israfeel Shaheen: A professor’s quest to promote unconventional theatre

Dr Israfeel Shaheen, a noted theatre director and professor at the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies, University of Dhaka, has many achievements in his bag as a prominent theatre personality who is taking Bangladesh’s folk, indigenous, and improvisational theatrics to the world’s stage. However, besides his commendable accomplishments, he always traces back to his roots and brings forth what we, as Bengalis have to offer centered on our rich cultural genesis and resourcefulness.
24 January 2024
Chinese New Year in Dhaka

A glimpse of Chinese New Year in Dhaka

The spring festival began with a captivating dance performance by a prominent Chinese Cultural organisation, the Song and Dance Ensemble of Yunnan Province. Performers created the Hani dance “Divine Bird Flapping Swings of China” at the event.
18 January 2024

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