Sadi Mohammad Shahnewaz

This morning, social media was taken by storm when Raba Khan’s inclusion in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2020 List was announced. The artiste, who made a name for herself with comedic content after launching her YouTube channel, The Jhakanaka Project, in 2014, is elated at her own achievement. “Incidentally, Forbes is the only magazine that my father reads,” said Raba in an interview over the phone. “You can only imagine how happy my family is after the official announcement.”

Eminent Nazrul Sangeet exponent Sujit Mustafa is also one of the finest vocal trainers in the country. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the artiste has taken an initiative to teach his students from home. “Even though the true dynamics of a lesson might be compromised, it is for the safety of my students that I have decided to take my classes online,” says the singer, who has previously offered online lessons to students abroad. “The exercises are student-specific, as the enrolled students can now find lessons that are relevant to their skill cap”.

As the worries of the coronavirus spreading amongst the masses come to a tumultuous rise, the best you can do to protect yourself and your family, is to simply stay home.

This month is an important one for Bangladesh’s history, as the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman lies ahead.

As afternoon turned to evening in my chat with Shonar Bangla Circus, it was evident that they had put their heart and soul into their debut album,‘Hyena Express’.

“The greatness of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman cannot be captured in one or two books,” says Shah Alam Shazu, a popular writer-journalist who has authored 45 published books.

It is quite possible that one way or the other, you know Marzuk Russell.

In the 1980’s as the disdain for the establishment became ever more apparent among the youth, musicians started fusing double bass drumming, complex shredding and the aggression of hardcore punk.

You cannot put a price tag on emotions, but you can charge a premium for products that are marketed to manipulate them.

“What camera did you take the picture with?” is a question that Prito Reza, one of Bangladesh’s prolific photographers, hates. “In 2020, what matters more than the camera you’re holding, is your skill,” he says.

“In our lives, we go through many hardships. However, a fleeting moment of joy is able to trump all of them, and make you happy,” said Taposh Barua, a former student of journalism, who had his first book release at the Ekushey Boi Mela.

Anupam Debashis Roy is known for being someone who “tells it like it is”. The writer and political activist’s release in this year’s Ekushey Boi Mela,

Even though Bakhtiar Hossain is best known as the vocalist of ace rock band, Bay of Bengal, he is a man of many talents. The multi-instrumentalist is also an avid painter, writer, artistic director and sound designer.

In 2011, the entire country mourned for an icon of Bangladeshi music -- Azam Khan, a man who went from liberating the country as a guerrilla fighter, to being a revolutionary in the pop music industry.

Pragata Naoha is one of the most promising young musicians in Dhaka. Her recently released track, Kaalo won much accolade.

Spondan is known to be one of the pioneers of Bangla pop music.

One of the bands to perform at the phenomenal 20 Years of Artcellism, Unmaad showed why they are considered one of the most promising upcoming bands with their rendition of Bhul Jonmo. The Chittagonians, having recently released their debut album Run to Bahaddarhat, talk to The Daily Star about their insurgence, future plans, and more.

8,000 people – let the number sink in. 8,000 people from all over Dhaka and other districts were present at perhaps what can only be described as a phenomenon – the 20-year celebration of the iconic Artcell.

Talented young singer Pragata Naoha released a new music video, titled Kaalo recently, aiming to raise awareness about an issue that is rarely talked about in the country – gender fluidity.

One of the most prolific young directors of our time, Mizanur Rahman Aryan had a great year with hits such as Tumi Amari, Dekha Hobe Ki? and Sublet under his belt. Aryan, who writes the scripts for his projects as well, has often times ventured out of his comfort zone and honed his directorial skills with a vast array of work. The Daily Star presents a candid interview with the king of romantic drama.