lifestyle
Eid Shopping: Popular Bangladeshi Clothing Brands for Families
Eid, the festival of joy and togetherness, calls for celebration and dressing up in the finest attire. Bangladeshi apparel brands are renowned for their craftsmanship and cultural richness, making them ideal for Eid shopping. With a plethora of options available, families can find the perfect attire to celebrate the festive season in style.
10 Renowned Bangladeshi Clothing Brands for Men, Women and Children
Aarong
Aarong, a household name in Bangladesh, is synonymous with quality craftsmanship and timeless elegance. Established in 1978 by Ayesha Abed, Aarong is owned by the non-profit organization BRAC. The term 'Aarong' refers to a 'village fair' and it was established to preserve local culture, heritage, crafts, and styles while empowering artisans in rural areas. Aarong is a pioneer in promoting Bangladeshi crafts.
Renowned for its traditional yet contemporary designs, Aarong offers a diverse range of clothing options for men, women, and children. From intricately embroidered sarees and panjabis to trendy kurtas and salwar kameez sets, Aarong celebrates the essence of Bangladeshi culture in every garment.
Read more: How to Identify an Authentic Bangladeshi Jamdani Saree?
Anjan’s
Anjan’s is another prominent name in the Bangladeshi fashion industry, celebrated for its exquisite ethnic wear collections. Anjan’s was founded by Shaheen Ahmed in 1994. With a focus on exquisite fabrics and intricate detailing, Anjan’s offers a stunning array of sarees, lehengas, and sherwanis for Eid festivities.
Anjan’s not only excels in fashion design but also provides employment opportunities for impoverished women in rural villages. Whether you're looking for traditional attire with a modern twist or timeless classics, Anjan’s craftsmanship ensures elegance and sophistication.
Yellow
Catering exclusively to men, Yellow is renowned for its dapper collection of panjabis, shirts, and suits tailored to perfection. Yellow, established in 2004 by Salman F Rahman, is a clothing brand owned by Beximco. The latest craze among the youth, Yellow stands out as one of Bangladesh's trendiest fashion brands.
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Banani revives as artists create 250 square feet beautiful Bangladesh mural
Mural, the graphic artwork painted or applied directly to a wall, ceiling or other permanent substrate, is a popular form of art in the world. Through the brushstrokes, artists can broadly represent their worldviews of nature and other elements, and maximize their artistic visions.
There are several unique places in Dhaka, a medieval city and one of the busiest cities in the world, which is full of stories. Banani is one of the most important areas in the city, and the people who live there have grown up surrounded by the beautiful and serene natural atmosphere since the town's founding; the streets of Banani were carpeted in Krishnachura (Royal Poinciana) flowers, but now the birds, animals and natural elements are hardly visible due to the passage of time.
Sotheby's auction of Zainul Abedin paintings breaks records for Bangladeshi artists
Presenting a creative solution to this issue, Art & Soul, founded by Nabila Rahman, has spearheaded a unique mural project in Banani Road 21/A with approval and funding of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor's office, under the patronage of its Mayor Md Atiqul Islam, and Ameenah Ahmed from Meena Trust, another significant donor of this project.
With generous funding from both donors, Art & Soul has brought together nine talented artists to create a stunning 250-square feet mural on Banani Road 21/A (Banani Bidyaniketan wall). The project manager and co-curator for this project is the renowned Bangladeshi artist Fareha Zeba.
BSA to mark Genocide Day with painting exhibition
In commemoration of the Genocide Day on March 25, Monday, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) will lift the curtain on an exclusive exhibition of paintings by eminent and promising artists of the country.
Nahid Izahar Khan, State Minister for Cultural Affairs, will inaugurate the exhibition at Gallery Number 1 of the National Art Gallery at BSA, Segunbagicha in the capital. Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Liaquat Ali Lucky will also join the inauguration ceremony.
The exhibition will feature artworks made on a daylong workshop by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Saturday in five venues in Dhaka, portraying the brutal massacre of Bengali netizens of then-East Pakistan on March 25, 1971 by Pakistani occupation forces.
Fifty senior and talented artists participated in the art camps, which were held at Dhaka University’s Jagannath Hall and Begum Rokeya Hall, Rajarbagh Police Lines, Rayerbazar Boddho Bhumi and Jalladkhana Killing Field in the capital’s Mirpur.
Eminent artists including Hashem Khan, Farida Zaman, Biren Shome, Nisar Hossain, Rokeya Sultana, Mohammad Eunus, Abdul Mannan, Kamal Pasha Chowdhury, Malay Bala, Asmita Alam Shammy, Rasel Rana and others participated in the art camps held in these different places in the city.
The exhibition will also showcase the posters and photographs of BSA’s 'Gonohotta Poribesh Theatre' project.
Syeda Mahbuba Karim, Rezaul Hashem, Mostak Ahmed, Mahbubur Rahman Sujon and Taimur Hannan of the Fine Arts Department were the coordinators of this art camp under the management of the Fine Arts Department of the Academy.
The exhibition will continue till March 31.
Sotheby's auction of Zainul Abedin paintings breaks records for Bangladeshi artists
At a recent auction organised by renowned auction house Sotheby's in New York, two paintings by the Bangladeshi art maestro, revered as 'Shilpacharya' Zainul Abedin, fetched a record price, the highest on record for a Bangladeshi artist.
Sotheby's, which was founded in London close to 300 years ago but is now headquartered in New York, recently organised an auction titled "Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art", where these two paintings were auctioned at record prices.
According to the Sotheby's website, one of the two paintings, "Untitled (Couple)," which depicts a Santal couple (Oil on canvas, 1963), sold for $381,000, or around Tk 4,16,29,622 (Tk 4 crore 16 lakh 29 thousand 622) based on today's USD to BDT exchange rate ($1 = BDT 109.26).
A hat worn by Napoleon sold for $2.1 million at an auction of the French emperor's belongings
The other painting, also “Untitled” depicts a woman at rest, wearing a sky-blue saree and scarlet bangles, created between 1956 and 1963 using oil paints on board. This painting sold for USD 279,400, equivalent to approximately Tk 3,05,28,389 (3 crore 5 lakh 28 thousand 389).
The first painting, which measures 102 cm in width and 135.5 cm in length, was initially estimated to be valued between 100,000 and 150,000 USD, according to the Sotheby's website. The second one, which measures 80.4 cm in length and 60.4 cm in breadth, was initially estimated to be valued between 80,000 and 120,000 USD.
Both were from the Marker family collection, which the Sotheby's website referred to as “Property from The Estate of His Excellency Jamsheed K Marker and Diana J Marker.”
BBC reports that both of them were close friends of Zainul Abedin. The Shilpacharya often visited the Marker couple's house and at that time introduced several famous South Asian artists to them.
However, the website did not reveal the details of the buyers. Art collectors often prefer to remain anonymous.
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Art connoisseurs in the country opined that these two paintings are among the highest selling prices among Shilpacharya’s artworks.
In early 2018, Christie's, the famous New York-based auction house, auctioned off another artwork by Zainul Abedin from the Santal series for Tk 1.5 crore in Bangladeshi currency.
"Bagher Deshe Boishakh:" Potua Nazir Hossain's solo exhibition opens at AFD
The solo art exhibition by Potua Nazir Hossain titled “Bagher Deshe Boishakh (Boishakh in the Land of Tiger)” began at Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) in the capital on Friday.
The inaugural ceremony of the exhibition was held on Friday at 5pm at AFD's La Galerie, which was joined by eminent art critic Moinuddin Khaled and Dr Lilly Nicholls, High Commissioner of Canada in Bangladesh as the special guests.
Nazir Hossain’s artworks accentuate many different forms of the Royal Bengal Tiger in pattachitras that encapsulate many different folk elements of Bangla mythology.
The Royal Bengal Tiger is not only a quadruped feline in the sense that it symbolizes the indomitable spirit of Bangladesh, and the artist tells that more gracefully through his art, through his pattachitras, with an amalgamated panoply of folk motifs, indigenous symbols and fables.
The fables in Hossain's artworks tell stories with vivid colours and aphorisms that are familiar and a cinch to figure out. Humorous situations in a bucolic setting like a tiger playing ektara or a tiger pulling a cart are sure to put a smile on the spectator's face, AFD states.
Hossain's unique yet relatable style has brought out a collection of artworks that are just beautifully well-timed for the upcoming Bangla New Year, it added.
As part of the Francophonie Festival 2024 celebration, organised by France, Switzerland and Canada - the exhibition will welcome visitors till Tuesday, April 2, Monday to Saturday from 3 pm to 8 pm.
Tazmin’s first solo exhibition ‘Mayhem of Life’ held at Midas Center
The first solo photography exhibition by Tazmin Haider titled ‘Mayhem of Life’ was recently held at Midas Centre in the capital’s Dhanmondi.
The exhibition featured 53 photographs taken by Tazmin. In addition, five of her paintings were also showcased in this exhibition.
All profits obtained from the exhibition were donated to the IraMon Foundation to help the oppressed and helpless people of society, according to a press release.
Regarding the exhibition, Tazmin said, “A picture tells more than a thousand words. In a sentence that cannot be expressed in words, it is easy to express this sentence through pictures. Each photo has its own story that needs to be told."
“There were many stories of the society that were hidden in my pictures which were displayed at the exhibition. Each viewer perceives it from their perspective,” she added.
The exhibition was attended by popular fiction maker Mabrur Rashid Bannah, YouTuber Prottoy Heron, actors Shaon, Toya, Rashed Shemanto, director Topu Khan, and other personalities from various fields.
Tazmin Haider is a student in class 10. Her father Haider Akbar Munna is a media personality and vice chairman of Youth Group.
Why are Suicide Rates Higher Among Men?
Suicide is a tragic and complex phenomenon that affects individuals and communities worldwide. Mental health negligence, particularly concerning men, has become a pressing concern. Despite increasing awareness of mental health issues, men often face unique challenges that make them more vulnerable to suicide. This article delves into the various factors contributing to this troubling trend.
Global and Local Statistics of Suicide: Male vs Female
Females, especially those under 25, exhibit higher rates of non-fatal suicidal behaviour and suicidal ideation, and attempt suicide more frequently. But, in reality, males have a significantly higher rate of completing suicide than females. This phenomenon is commonly known as the gender paradox in suicide.
Around the world, more men than women die by suicide. According to Wikipedia, in 2008 and 2015, the number of male suicides was about 1.8 to 1.7 times higher than female suicides globally. In Western countries, men are three to four times more likely to die by suicide compared to women. In 2015, around two-thirds of global suicide deaths (representing about 1.5% of total deaths) were among men.
Data from The National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) in the USA for 2016 revealed that for every female suicide, there were about 3.5 male suicides. However, in China, the rates of suicide between men and women were almost the same. The male vs female suicide ratio is 9.1:10.3.
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In 2019, the rate of suicide deaths among males was over 3.5 times higher than that among females. By 2021, this disproportionate rate increased to over 3.9 times higher.
According to the CDC, in the USA, men experienced a suicide rate four times higher than that of women in 2021-2022.
In Bangladesh, the scenario is quite the same – more men than women commit suicide here. In 2017, there were over 11,000 recorded suicides. The average age for male suicide victims was about 28.86 years, while for females, it was about 25.31 years old.
In 2019, 3.70 people took their own lives out of every 100,000 people in Bangladesh. The male suicide rate was 5.70 while the number is 1.70 for females. Also, the police records indicate a rising trend in suicides over the years. At the same time, psychologists estimate that around 11,000 people end their lives annually in Bangladesh.
Read more: Students with Depression: Tips for Parents and Educators
‘Fearless Call 3’: Bangabandhu’s historic speech at the UN echoes through engaging artwork
In 1974, the 29th UN General Assembly, witnessed a historic and powerful speech — on the need for non-violent and peaceful politics — that still bears remedy to the current state of chaos and conflict ravaging countries and taking a devastating toll on millions of lives. It was the brightest moment for Bangladesh on the global stage, within years of its independence.
Before an assembly attended by as many as 138 leaders, the impact of a newly formed nation was on full display, thanks to the call for the greater humanitarian cause by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Now five decades down the line, that message of global peace, humanity and freedom resonates in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi 32 as Center for Research and Information (CRI) has rolled out an exciting and profound exhibition themed on the relevance of the speech.
As a tribute to the Father of the Nation on his birth anniversary, CRI’s month-long exhibition drew a gathering of a diverse group.
Lawmaker Nahim Razzaq and several members of CRI team alongside family members of martyred intellectuals inaugurated the event.
Dhaka Flow's festival celebrating Women's Day provides a much-needed space for wellness
Chhayanaut organises 'Deshghorer Gaan' in memory of Waheedul Haque
Cultural institution Chhayanaut organised its special commemorative event 'Deshghorer Gaan' on Saturday, in memory of its founding member and the country's esteemed cultural personality Waheedul Haque.
The event commemorated the 91st anniversary of the legendary cultural icon, who mobilised public support against the anti-Tagore hate campaigns of the then-Ayub regime and founded Chhayanaut with like-minded people in 1961 on the occasion of the birth centenary of Rabindranath Tagore.
Prominent folk singer Kanan Bala Sarkar inaugurated the event at the Chhayanaut auditorium on Saturday.
The event featured regional songs by esteemed local artists, including Gurupada Gupta (Khulna), Badal Rahman (Patuakhali), Jayita Arpa (Mymensingh), Bimalendu Dash (Habiganj) and the guest of the event Kanan Bala Sarkar.
In addition, Eidu Boyati and his team from Jamalpur delivered 'Kichhapala' performances at the event.
Chhayanaut Joint Secretary Jayanta Roy delivered the welcome speech at the event, while its General Secretary Laisa Ahmed Lisa delivered the vote of thanks.
Homemade Instant Powdered Fruit Drink Recipes for Iftar
During the holy month of Ramadan, after a long day of fasting, the tradition of breaking fast, or Iftar, often involves enjoying refreshing beverages. Among these, instant powdered fruit drinks are a popular choice due to their refreshing flavours and instant preparation. However, commercially produced powdered drinks can contain artificial additives and excessive sugar, which may not align with dietary preferences or health goals. Thankfully, making homemade powdered fruit drinks provides a healthier alternative, offering control over ingredients and customisation of flavours.
Why Avoid Commercially Produced Instant Powdered Fruit Drinks?
Commercially produced powdered fruit drinks often contain artificial colours, flavours, preservatives, and high amounts of sugar. Consuming such additives regularly may lead to adverse health effects, including increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases.
Additionally, individuals with dietary restrictions or preferences may find it challenging to locate suitable options among commercially available powdered drink varieties. Homemade powdered fruit drinks allow for the exclusion of unwanted additives and customisation according to personal taste and nutritional requirements.
Read more: Reasons Why Ramadan Fasting is More Beneficial Than Dieting
How to Make Instant Powdered Fruit Drinks at Home
Mango Powder
Ingredients
1 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons of glucose powder, 1 teaspoon mango emulsion, 1 teaspoon citric acid, and ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
First, in a mixer jar, pour sugar and add 2 tablespoons of glucose powder, mango emulsion, a quarter teaspoon of salt, and half a teaspoon of citric acid. Grind the ingredients together until they achieve a fine powder consistency. Your homemade mango mix is now ready.
Transfer it into an airtight jar for storage. To serve, simply mix one tablespoon of the mango powder with 200 ml of water, add some ice cubes, stir well, and enjoy the refreshing taste.
Read more: Iftar Items, Recipes for Ramadan in Bangladesh
Orange Powder
Ingredients
1.5 cups sugar, 1 cup orange glucose, 1 teaspoon citric acid, a pinch of salt, 4-5 drops of orange fruit colour, and ½ teaspoon orange essence.