Sadi Mohammad Shahnewaz

A rather curious audience, consisting of primarily journalists and media personalities, took their seats in The Daily Star’s A S Mahmud Hall. “Who is Sabrina?” was a question – more of a marketing strategy, to Hoichoi and Ashfaque Nipun’s next project, “Sabrina”.

The first episode of Coke Studio Bangla opened with “Nasek Nasek”, a Hajong song written by talented singer Animes Roy, proving this criticism baseless.

To many, he was the beloved, quirky astrologer who wrote “Apnar Rashi” for the popular daily Prothom Alo, which was often the feature they most looked forward to.

In 1970, a young Rabindra Sangeet singer caused a sensation, when his rendition of “Jani Jani Go” made its way to number one rank on the country’s best-selling chart. This feat shattered the general assumption that Rabindra Sangeet was not “commercially viable”. Only a year later, he was imprisoned and tortured by the Pakistani Army, formally accused of “inciting the people with nationalistic and revolutionary songs”.

Think of the world’s greatest Disco artistes – Donna Summer had 17 studio albums, while Gloria Gaynor had 18.

As celebrations of Saraswati Puja ended, the world incurred the irrevocable loss of the ‘Saraswati’ of music, the next morning.

Few artistes have gone through as many ups and downs as Tashfee, who is often cited as a rising star in Bangladesh’s music.

Formed in 2012, Attic is one of the forerunners of the new ‘indie’ generation of Bangladeshi band music. The rising stars released their debut album, titled after their most well-known song, “Echoes in your Attic”, which is available for purchase digitally.

‘Stuttering comic’ Ananda Mazumder, who turned a perceived ‘weakness’ in to strength, is now a staple of Dhaka’s stand-up comedy scene. Ananda joins us tuday for a round of One Minute Please!

“Only by observing a great mind, can we decipher what separates them from the mediocre and pretentious,” says the writer.

One of the fastest rising artistes in our music industry, the Rehman Duo keep pushing the envelope with their melodious serenades.

You reached 25 years of your journey last April, but could not host a silver jubilee show due to the pandemic. Can we expect one in the future?

Sunerah Binte Kamal has won over the audience with her National Award winning performance in ‘No Dorai’. The beautiful and talented young actress sits with us for a round of One Minute Please!

The young and talented Masha Islam took YouTube by storm when she first started, and is now on the playlist of all modern Bangla music lovers.

Fresh off his latest release with Indalo, “Kokhon Ebhabe Ekhane Ke Jane”, Jon Kabir joins us for One Minute Please! In this rapid-fire interview, Jon had only one minute to answer the questions.

The almost non-existent stand-up comedy scene in Dhaka is kept alive by the endeavours of two gritty comedians – Ahmad Ashik and Amin Hannan Chowdhury, with their ragtag band of funnymen.

Over the years, the band music industry of Bangladesh has not only gifted the most talented musicians and memorable songs, but arguably the most passionate fans.

It is rare for a musician to receive the level irrevocable and unconditional love from the fans that Saidus Salehin Khaled, popularly known Bassbaba Sumon, has accumulated in his illustrious career. A bona fide legend in Bangladesh’s band music industry, he is a virtuoso on the bass guitar, earning him the moniker of Bassbaba. The beloved Aurthohin frontman has beaten cancer, and recently, a deadly spinal injury after spending the better part of three years in tremendous pain while in recovery. Now, the musician is back on track, fueled by the love of his fans, and his passion for music – as he talks to The Daily Star for more.

Adnan Al Rajeev’s “YouTumor” lit up this year’s Eid with its unique presentation and message, musician turned actor Pritom Hasan at the forefront as the gullible and (un)fortunate Don. Pritom not only nails the character, but puts his own twist to it, resulting in a captivating back and forth with seasond actor Ziaul Hoque Polash. We talk to the young star for his experience, future plans and more.

In the upper echelons of art, music is perhaps the only entity that unites and divides at the same time, based on language and nationality. While phenomenon like South Korea’s mercurial K-Pop scene has attained global popularity by sticking to their own language, there is no denying that English’s accessibility in the current world makes it easier for an international audience to relate to an artiste.