Lifestyle
How to Spend the Weekend in a Creative Way
Weekends are like a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of daily life. This period offers a precious window for rejuvenation and self-expression. However, avoiding the pitfalls of idleness and monotony during these treasured days is pivotal. It is the time to shun procrastination and embrace creativity, ensuring these moments are not squandered in lethargy. Engaging in diverse entertaining and stimulating activities can transform weekends into an enriching experience, igniting a sense of fulfilment.
10 Creative Ways to Spend Your Weekends
Reading
You may immerse yourself in a captivating book during the weekend to explore new worlds, gain knowledge, and engage your mind. Reading goes beyond mere entertainment; it expands horizons, fosters empathy, and acquires knowledge.
Read more: Benefits of Reading Habit for Mind and Body
Traversing the lines of a well-crafted story or delving into informative texts engages your mind in discovery and enrichment. Relaxation blends with mental stimulation as reading deepens your understanding of the world. Altogether it is a perfect choice for a fulfilling weekend activity.
Popular Winter Breakfasts in Bangladesh
Winter in Bangladesh is a magical time marked by cool breezes and a pleasant chill in the air. The craving for warm and hearty morning meals becomes irresistible as the temperature drops. In this article, we will take a culinary journey through the popular winter breakfasts in Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh. Each of these items explores the unique flavours that make this season special.
Delicious Bangladeshi Breakfasts in Winter
Chitoi Pitha with Bhorta
Chitoi Pitha with Bhorta constitutes a beloved winter recipe in Bangladesh. Chitoi Pitha, made from rice flour, and water, exudes a sweet smell. After being made, it transforms into a soft and spongy texture.
Paired with different bhorta (mash) of tomato, eggplant, cilantro, chilli, or mustard enhances the experience. These bhorta, seasoned with spices and herbs, offer a burst of flavours from smoky to piquant. The combination of Chitoi Pitha and bhorta presents a delightful medley of textures, colours, and savours. This blend is an excellent way to kick off a cold winter day.
Read more: 10 Bangladeshi Winter Street Foods: Taste Meets Tradition
Nihari and Paratha
Nihari alongside paratha emerges as an appetising breakfast in Bangladesh. Nihari is a slow-cooked stew that consists of tender meat, typically beef or mutton. It is simmered in a blend of aromatic spices like cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon, lending it a rich flavour. Its prolonged cooking process infuses the dish with a deep, savoury taste and a luscious texture.
Paired with flaky, buttery paratha — layers of unleavened flatbread — the combination offers a delightful contrast. The crispy, golden-brown paratha complements the hearty and flavoursome Nihari. Together they create a flavourful dining experience during the chilly mornings of winter.
Read more: 5 Tasty Savoury Winter Pitha Recipes for Bangladeshi Kitchen
Bhapa Pitha
Bhapa Pitha stands as one of the most beloved winter pitha (rice cakes) in Bangladesh. Made from rice flour, grated coconut, and jaggery, this steamed cake radiates a beautiful smell. The preparation involves filling a small bowl with rice flour with the sweet coconut-jaggery mixture and steamed to perfection.
Its soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture offers a delightful contrast to the sweetness of the filling. The subtle aroma of jaggery enhances its appeal. Bhapa Pitha has a comforting, mildly sweet taste, blending the crunchiness of coconut and the gentle sweetness of jaggery. It can be a perfect first meal on winter days in Bangladesh.
Read more: Healthy Alternatives to Cakes and Cookies: 7 Delicious and Nutritious Swaps
Video of restaurant cook using broom on tawa goes viral
A video featuring a restaurant in India’s Bangalore has gone viral and is trending online, as it shows a cook using a broom to clean the tawa (griddle).
The video shows the process of making dosas from scratch, giving viewers an idea of what goes into the preparation. After seeing it, however, Facebook users were enraged, reports NDTV.
10 Bangladeshi Winter Street Foods: Taste Meets Tradition
The video by @thefoodiebae shows a cook standing in front of a giant tawa in a restaurant's open kitchen. Crowds of consumers can be seen behind him, waiting for their orders. The cook begins preparing the tawa for dosas. He sprinkles it with water and then sweeps the tawa with a broom.
On the heated tawa, the water starts to vaporise, and he resumes his sweeping motion. Following that, he begins spreading batter in circular motions to produce the dosas. One tawa can accommodate 12 dosas, it said.
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The video has been viewed 15 million times and received 111K likes. Disapproving comments have flooded the comments section, however. Many individuals have objected to using a broom to clean the tawa.
5 Tasty Savoury Winter Pitha Recipes for Bangladeshi Kitchen
‘Pippa’ team apologizes for AR Rahman's interpretation of Nazrul’s “Karar Oi Louho Kopat” after backlash
After massive backlash over AR Rahman’s interpretation of Bangladesh’s National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam’s song "Karar Oi Louho Kopat" in the latest Bollywood war film “Pippa”, the makers have issued an apology on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter).
The Raja Krishna Menon-directed film, starring Ishaan Khatter, Mrunal Thakur, Priyanshu Painyuli, Soni Razdan and others, was released on November 10 on Amazon Prime Video. The film features battle between India and Pakistan in then East Pakistan during the 1971 Liberation War.
Produced by RSVP Movies and Roy Kapur Films, the film features a remake of the Nazrul song "Karar Oi Louho Kopat". The remake version has been composed by Oscar winning-music composer AR Rahman and features Indian singers Rahul Dutta, Tirtha Bhattacharjee, Pijush Das, Shrayee Paul, Shalini Mukherjee and Dilasa Chowdhury.
After the release of the song, Nazrul exponents and admirers along with general audiences in both Bangladesh and India expressed massive dissatisfaction over the remake.
Read: “Leelabati Nag: The Rebel” premiered at Liberation War Museum
In response to that, the film’s makers stated: “We understand the emotional attachment that audiences may have to the original composition, and while all art is inherently subjective, if our interpretation has hurt sentiments or caused unintended distress, we offer our sincere apologies.”
The statement notes that the producers, director and music composer of the film “Pippa” wish to clarify that their rendition of the song is a sincere artistic interpretation, embarked upon only after securing the necessary adaptation rights from the estate of the Late Kazi Nazrul Islam.
According to the statement, they approached the making of this song by faithfully following both the letter and the spirit of the license agreement for the lyrics, as duly signed by the late Kalyani Kazi and witnessed by Anirban Kazi.
“Our intent was to pay homage to the cultural significance of the song while adhering to the terms set forth in our agreement, which permitted us to use the lyrics with a new composition,” the statement claims.
Read: Something Like An Autobiography: Real Story or Just a Film?
Earlier on Saturday, several of the country’s eminent Nazrul exponents shared their official statements against the “distortion” of the song at a press conference held at the Kabi Nazrul Institute in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi.
General Secretary of Bangladesh Nazrul Sangeet Sangstha (BNSS) Khairul Anam Shakil, Kazi Nazrul Islam’s granddaughter Mistee Kazi, Nazrul exponent Sadya Afreen Mallick, veteran Nazrul singer Shaheen Samad, singer Bulbul Islam and others were present at the press conference.
According to the prominent Indian newspaper The Times of India, Kalyani Kazi’s agreement to the makers mentioned that she was "represented" to the production house as the "sole surviving legal heir" and "all rights, title and interest in the literary work are owned and vests" on her. It also stated that she was "authorized to grant the licence".
"We came to know about the agreement through the media. Legally, I am not sure if Kalyani Kazi could ignore all of us and enter into an agreement saying she is the only heir," Mistee Kazi told The Times of India.
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Humayun Ahmed’s 75th birth anniversary being observed Monday
Monday marks the 75th birth anniversary of legendary writer, author, lyricist, educator, screenwriter, playwright and filmmaker Humayun Ahmed, often regarded as one of the best writers in Bengali literature after Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam.
The celebrated litterateur was born on November 13, 1948 at Kutubpur, Netrakona.
Humayun Ahmed’s 11th death anniversary being observed nationwide
Credited with revitalizing Bengali literature and is best known for his iconic fictional characters such as ‘Himu’, ‘Misir Ali’, ‘Baker Bhai’ and others, as well as for his ‘magic-realism’ based storytelling, Humayun Ahmed marked his breakthrough in the Bengali canon with his debut novel Nondito Noroke (1972).
He then wrote over 200 fiction and non-fiction books, all of which were bestsellers in Bangladesh and are still popular among his readers.
Remembering Humayun Ahmed on his 74th birth anniversary
Unanimously regarded as the bestseller author at the Ekushey Book Fairs during the 1990s and 2000s, the majestic litterateur received Ekushey Padak, Bangla Academy Award, Lekhak Shibir Award, Shishu Academy Award, Michael Madhusudan Padak, Bachsas Award and more, for his outstanding contributions to the Bengali culture and entertainment sphere.
As a successful content-maker in television, Ahmed debuted with his drama 'Prothom Prohor' (1983) for Bangladesh Television (BTV). His successful journey in television continued with popular drama serials 'Ei Shob Din Ratri', 'Bohubrihi', 'Ayomoy', 'Nokkhotrer Raat', 'Aaj Robibar' and most notably, 'Kothao Keu Nei' for the character of ‘Baker Bhai’ played by eminent actor Asaduzzaman Noor.
Remembering Humayun Ahmed on his 10th death anniversary
Humayun Ahmed also explored success as a filmmaker in the early 1990s and went on to make a total of eight films in his filmmaking career, each based on his own novels. Two of his films, 'Sjyamol Chhaya' (2004) and 'Ghetuputra Komola' (2012) were the official Bangladeshi submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in their respective releasing years.
He received seven Bangladesh National Film Awards in different categories for the films Shonkhonil Karagar' (as screenwriter), 'Aguner Poroshmoni', 'Daruchini Dwip' and 'Ghetuputra Komola'. Commemorating his life and legacy, family members and different organisations along with his admirers are observing Humayun Ahmed’s birth anniversary today.
Humayun Ahmed’s widow and cultural personality Meher Afroz Shaon, alongside their sons Nishad Humayun and Ninith Humayun, are also scheduled to take part in various activities in Nuhash Polli, Gazipur.
However, due to the countrywide blockade, a noted fan group of the eminent writer known as Himu Paribahan which has been observing his birth anniversary for many years, had to cancel its scheduled yearly journey at the writer’s grave in Nuhash Polli.
Among other events, private television station Channel I will arrange its annual 'Humayun Mela' which will be broadcast live from Channel I Chetna Chattar today at 3:05 PM.
The channel will also broadcast Humayun Ahmed's film 'Noy Number Bipod Sanket' at 5 pm and eminent director Salahuddin Lavlu's fiction drama "Ami Humayun Ahmed hotey Chai" at 9:30 pm.
EXIM Bank-Anyadin Humayun Ahmed Literary Award 2023 conferred Meanwhile, the EXIM Bank-Anyadin Humayun Ahmed Literary Award 2023 was presented on Saturday among the recipients, marking the eve of the 75th birth anniversary of Humayun Ahmed at Bangla Academy’s Abdul Karim Sahitya Bisharad Auditorium on Saturday.
Eminent litterateur and journalist Imdadul Haq Milan received the award this year for his literary contribution to the country’s literature arena, while Mahbub Mayukh Rishad was awarded in the Young Litterateur Category which is awarded to under 40-year-old writers.
Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar was present as chief guest at the ceremony, while Anyadin Editor Mazharul Islam, EXIM Bank Managing Director & CEO Mohammad Feroz Hossain, Humayun Ahmed’s brother and eminent academician-writer Dr Muhammad Zafar Iqbal and Meher Afroz Shaon spoke at the event, presided over by the EXIM Bank-Anyadin Humayun Ahmed Literary Award jury board President and eminent academician Syed Manzoorul Islam.
Since 2015, the ceremony has been held annually on the day before Humayun Ahmed's birth anniversary.
However, this year the award ceremony was held two days earlier due to the ongoing political unrest, according to the organizers.
‘Inspiration’: artist Jamil Khan’s solo exhibition begins at Gallery Cosmos
Singapore-based Bangladeshi artist Jamil Khan’s solo exhibition titled ‘Inspiration’ was inaugurated on Saturday, November 11, at the Garden Gallery, Gallery Cosmos, in the capital’s Baridhara.
The exhibition parallels the human journey, showcasing around 40 magnificent artworks by the multitalented artist which were created in Singapore and Dhaka.
Using sketching on pencil, Acrylic, and oil paint, Jamil elevates the commonplace to a realm of vibrant expression. His vivid artworks become vessels for tales of connection, intimacy and raw emotion, offering the art admirers with a fusion of artistry and reality.
The inauguration ceremony of the exhibition on Saturday was joined by distinguished guests alongside family, friends and art admirers of artist Jamil Khan, who was born in one of the culturally significant families in Bangladesh, known for cordially patronising the country’s diverse arts and talented artists.
10 Most Affordable Destinations in Indonesia: Winter retreats on a budget
When stepping into Indonesia, every globetrotter finds it to be a treasure-trove of islands. A nation adorned with natural wonders, each island tells a tale of its own. Especially the historical attractions along with spectacular beaches hold surprises for winter wanderlusts. Unveiling the budget-friendly gems, this list meanders through Indonesia's winter retreats. These are the most affordable tourist spots in the Indonesian archipelago.
10 Best Budget-Friendly Indonesian Destinations to Visit in Winter
Gili Islands
A trio of small islands off the coast of Lombok, Indonesia, the Gili Islands are famed for their lush vegetation and world-class diving and snorkeling spots. The underwater world surrounding these islands is a mesmerizing sight, easily accessible from any point along the shoreline.
For those considering a journey from Dhaka to Lombok by air, the most economical per-head deal is USD 334 in parity with BDT 36,689.97, with the exchange rate at USD 1 = BDT 109.85.
Accommodation costs per person are generally IDR 146,755 or BDT 1,027.21 (IDR 1 = BDT 0.007), and a day's worth of meals can be budgeted at IDR 49,993 which is equivalent to BDT 349.93.
Read more: Best Asian Alternatives to the Maldives: Affordable Island Getaways
Ubud
Located in the uplands of Bali, Ubud offers a central hub of attractions. The Royal Palace, situated in the heart of town, is free for visitors, and just down the road lies the Sacred Monkey Forest, a popular destination. A bemo ride takes travelers to the famous Goa Gajah, an elephant cave in Bedulu village, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for intricate carvings.
Accommodation costs in Ubud typically IDR 2,142,151 in proportion to BDT 14,993.94, with budget options such as Agung Trisna Bungalows and Inang Villa. The daily charge for food in Ubud is approximately IDR 189,959 equaling BDT 1329.61.
The most cost-effective airfare from Dhaka to Ngurah Rai Airport is USD 252 in parity with BDT 27,682.25.
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Gallery Cosmos to host young artist Jamil Khan’s solo art exhibition on Saturday
The solo art exhibition of Singapore-based Bangladeshi young artist Jamil Khan titled ‘Inspiration’ is all set to be inaugurated on Saturday, November 11, at the Garden Gallery, Baridhara, in the capital.
The exhibition, thoughtfully titled ‘Inspiration’, mirrors the human journey - a mirror to melancholy, a sanctuary for introspection and a portal to self-discovery. In his latest works, Jamil infuses each artwork with his disposition, their titles echoing the emotions and ambience they encapsulate.
Embarking on exploring the intricate interplay between cause and effect, his fresh body of works delves into the nuanced fabric of everyday life - which will be showcased in this exclusive exhibition.
Best Asian Alternatives to the Maldives: Affordable Island Getaways
Nestled serenely within the expanse of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives has lured travelers with its opulent allure. The pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and luxurious resorts have made it an icon in high-end travel. Yet, for those with a more budget-conscious spirit, some exotic tourist destinations in the heart of Asia can offer almost similar experiences. Let’s take a look into some of the most popular budget-friendly Asian alternatives to the Maldives.
10 Best Budget-Friendly Alternatives to the Maldives in Asia
Phi Phi Islands, Thailand
This tropical paradise, along with its mesmerizing blend of stone and sand beaches, is located in the Andaman Sea. Among this island group comprising six distinct islands, Phi Phi Don is renowned for its Monkey Beach and Maya Bay.
In the case of spending the night, Tropical Garden Bungalows come with a jungle vibe with modern amenities.
The airfare to Phitsanulok, the nearest airport to this place, from Bangladesh starts at USD 230 (BDT 25,264.65 at an exchange rate of USD 1 = BDT 109.85) per person.
Meals cost approximately THB 417 or BDT 1,289.45 (THB 1 = BDT 3.09) per day, while local transportation is estimated at THB 253 or BDT 782.33 daily.
The average cost for a couple's hotel stay in Koh Phi Phi is THB 2,956 (BDT 9,140.58).
Read more: Beach Bucket List: 9 Magnificent Sea Shores in South Asia
Koh Lipe, Thailand
This hidden gem, located in the Andaman Sea, offers hiking opportunities to take in the island's natural beauty from elevated vantage points. The island provides a variety of amenities, from bars and open-air restaurants to cafes and massage shacks.
A Heritage Traveller's quest: Eliza Binte Elahi’s journey of rediscovering Leelabati Nag
Among all the rebellious social reformers of Bengal in the British-ruled Indian subcontinent before 1947, the year when the subcontinent finally tasted freedom - there was a woman who actively participated in major sociopolitical movements and even trained other women to revolt against the oppressors.
Her name was Leelabati Nag, also known as Leela Nag and Leela Roy after her marriage to her spouse Anil Chandra Roy; but she is mostly remembered for another monumental achievement - being the first-ever female student at Dhaka University who snatched her right to study there, when it was not keen to promote or nurture the culture of coeducation, as far back as 1921 - when the institution was founded.
Even though this was a remarkable achievement which cemented her name and legacy in history, very few actually know about her other identities - a radical leftist politician, an ardent educationist, a publisher - and a social reformer.
“Not only our new generation but also people from the earlier generations and even many knowledgeable and resourceful people are unaware of Leela Nag - since we lack the practice to learn about personalities like her. Most people know very little about Leela Nag, except that she was the first female student at Dhaka University. She was actively involved in several significant radical movements and many political and social initiatives, but very few have adequate knowledge on this,” says Eliza Binte Elahi, a renowned heritage traveller and documentary filmmaker.
With the mission to enlighten the enthusiasts about this legendary revolutionary woman, Eliza made “Leelabati Nag: The Rebel” - a documentary film, researched, scripted and produced by Eliza Binte Elahi from “Quest: A Heritage Journey of Bangladesh” and directed by ARM Nasir.
In a candid conversation with UNB before the screening of this significant documentary, Eliza said, “When I realized that the next generation, as well as previous/current generations, needed to be informed about Leela Nag, I began studying her. However, very few individuals can elaborately talk about her because in reality, most of those who saw her or observed her actions in person, are not alive.”
When the UNB correspondent asked about her motifs for this particular social reformer, Eliza said: “First of all, she was a revolutionary woman, a pioneer leader of the anti-British movement. She was a follower of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, hence she became a great part of the anti-British movements in Bengal.”
“Almost everyone knows about Pritilata Waddedar - the revolutionary - but only a handful know that Pritilata was a student of Leela Nag. She guided everything and provided training to Pritilata and otherwomen, and she was able to do so because she had been battling against the anti-British movement from long ago.”
“Additionally,” Eliza continued, “Leela Nag was also a pioneer figure in social movements - particularly women's awakening during her time. We know that the pioneer Begum Rokeya worked on women's education, but Leela Nag was also an active educationist; who initiated twelve schools for women of her time, and she guided them to become self-reliant.”
Talking about how Leela Nag was socially engaged, Eliza mentioned that under Leela’s editorship, a magazine titled 'Jayashree' was launched in 1931, with its initial headquarters in Dhaka, presently in Kolkata.
“In addition, Leela Nag founded the first women's community in this subcontinent, the ‘Deepali Sangha.’ The present Bangladesh Mahila Parishad which was founded by late eminent poet Sufia Kamal, is considered to be the subsequent offshoot of this particular community. When discussing women's groups, leadership, and awakening in this subcontinent, Deepali Sangha must be credited as the driving force.”
That being said, the name of this revolutionary woman is only being remembered these days for debuting co-education at Dhaka University, and that triggered Eliza to move forward with this exclusive project - of course, with a lot of hurdles.
“I began my research about this documentary in late 2022 and collected as much information as possible from all existing resources in both Bangladesh and Kolkata. The problem is that it was way too hard to find relevant people who could share some memories about her; the other problem was that almost every property that she founded (schools, and even her own ancestral house) - are in different hands nowadays.”
However, the quest of Eliza did not stop there as she went to Kolkata and was able to interview Bijay Nag, Leela Nag’s son - now 89 years old. “We also talked to her other relatives and associates in Kolkata, and tried to accumulate as much information as possible because this is a documentary, it should contain these valuable insights,” Eliza told UNB.
One of the disciples of Leela Nag is the eminent researcher, essayist, cultural personality and Liberation War Museum trustee Mofidul Hoque. Not only did he appear in this documentary and share his knowledge regarding the social reformist, but the museum also actively supported Eliza throughout this documentary with post-production facilities.