Avenue T Volume 1 Issue 36

Dhaka Tribune

Thursday, January 9, 2014

| Volume 1, Issue 36

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Contents

inside...

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Manikganj

Volume 1, Issue 36, Jan 9, 2014 Editor Zafar Sobhan Magazine Editor Ishtiaque Mahmud Avenue T Team Mahmood Hossain N Anita Amreen Tausif Sanzum Moushumi Khan Esha Aurora Sabah Rahman Photography Syed Latif Hossain Sadia Marium

4 Standout colognes

5 2013 Mirage

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Marrakech, Morocco

Design Alamgir Hossain Md Mahbub Alam Najmal A Nadvi Colour Specialist Shekhar Mondal Kazi Syras Al Mahmood Contributors Tahsin Momin Naureen Hassan Tilat Khayer Natasha Rahman Dina Sobhan Md Mahmudullah-Al-Mamun Tasnuva Rahim Humayra Rohini Alamgir Neloy I Hossain Production Masum Billah Advertising Shahidan Khurshed Circulation Wahid Murad Email: info@dhakatribune.com Website: www.dhakatribune.com Cover photo Model: Jennifer Wardrobe: Red Velvet Photographer: Maisha Samiha

4 Tuned - Signature scent 5 Tech – Mac Pro for professionals

7 To be teased again

6 Tact - Taking selfies like a champ 7 Tease- Myths and a rebound 8 Try Out – Memories in cardboards

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9 Tailored- Unsung heroes in winter winds 10 Tempt – Busting hair myths

Red Velvet

11 Tempt – Denim jacket, a style essential 12 Trial Room – Painting the town red 13 News – Florence Biennale Award 2013 14 Tell – The ousted and the overworked 15 Take Care – All the healthy colours 16 Tantalise – Love all wrapped up 17 Tucked In – Creating illusions of space 18 Trails – Tales from the royal remnants 20 Travels – Northern romance, Morocco 22 Tags – 10 years of Chhobir Haat

15 Colour me healthy

Illusions of space

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Send in your queries, views, suggestions at avenuet@dhakatribune.com

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Tuned Entertainment

Product review

SEE

WATCH

The Family Giovanni Manzoni and his family are relocated in a remote town in France under witness protection programme. Despite their best efforts not to attract attention, they are provoked to go back to their old “mafia” habits to solve their problems. Their cover is blown and Don Luchese sends his men to silence the family forever. This black mafia comedy is definitely worth a watch.

Your signature scent can tell the world a lot about you. If you’re on the hunt for a new one, here is a list of colognes for men from the past year that everyone is raving about Esha Aurora For the young at heart: Viktor & Rolf released Spicebomb, a cologne with notes of bergamot, grapefruit, cinnamon leaf, pink pepper, lavandin, chilli, saffron, elemi, vetiver, balsam fir, tobacco accord and white leather accord. the bottle is fashioned like a grenade, staying true to the brand’s punk, anti-conformist reputation.

For the effortlessly chic: Tom ford’s noir is the very essence of a chic, sexy man. It smells divine with notes of bergamot oil, verbena, violet flower, caraway oil, baie rose, Bulgarian rose, geranium oil, tuscan Iris resinoid, styrax oil, black pepper oil, nutmeg, clary sage, patchouli oil, vetiver, leather, benzoin, vanilla, opoponax and amber civet. Everyone knows, Tom Ford is your go to for everything sleek, dark and mysterious.

For the classy gentleman: You cannot go wrong with Bvlgari. This jeweller

READ

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turned fashion house produces some of the most intoxicating fragrances out there. However, these fragrances always remain understatedly elegant. Their Pour Homme Soir is just that with beautiful notes of Darjeeling tea, lifescent, guaiac wood of Paraguay, amber and musk.

For the captivatingly powerful: Issey Miyake consistently produces some of the most ethereal fragrances out there.

They all cultivate a sense of the ocean and L’Eau D’Issey Pour Homme Intense is no different. This one has particular notes of mandarin, yuzu, bergamot, nutmeg, saffron, cardamom, black incense and ambergris, making it an intense version of its predecessors.

For the super sophisticated: You have to try Prada’s new offering of Amber Pour Homme Intense, which is everything from sexy to sophisticated in the most stylish way possible. It smells warm yet

sweet and exotic with notes of Italian bergamot orange, resin of Myrrh of Somalia, Indonesian leaves of patchouli and vanilla from Madagascar.

December

in Dhaka this week

The Color Purple This devastatingly beautiful novel by Alice Walker is a must read. Though the novel focuses on coloured people living in the USA during the 1930s, it is a universal story valid even today. There are various themes which the novel explores such as rape, homosexuality, feminism, freedom, failure and hope.

It is often subjected to censorship as it portrays raw sexuality in the most turbulent and yet liberating manner.

Photo: Big Stock

Almost Human This series deals with how science and technology in the wrong hands will destroy the world. The year is 1948 and crime rates have gone drastically high. Detective John Kennex has to team up with robotic partner, Dorian and save the world.

At the same time John has to deal with gaps in his memories which he lost during a failed mission and Dorian has to deal with the fact that despite being a machine, he is more human than John.

The best men’s cologne

10 13th Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) Venue: Dhaka International Film Festival Rainbow Film Society BS Bhaban, Level 3, Room no 105, 75 Science Laboratory Road

16 “Rivers of the World” Public Art Exhibition 2014

Venue: Robindra Sarobor Dhanmondi

Tech 5 App Watch

New Tech

Say cheese No room for amateurs One of the most impressive photo editing apps in the market Mahmood Hossain

Smartphone users will continue to take photos and share them with the rest of the world. Clever eightyear-olds to your hip grandmother, taking photos have become a fun way of communicating. You are also able to edit each image to your liking.

Snapseed, which is free to download on both Apple and Android devices, is an app for both beginners and advanced photographers. You have your share of caption-based and filter changing apps, but this gives you the opportunity to make high quality edits for your photos.

Apple’s fastest desktop for the pros Mahmood Hossain

At first glance the new Apple Mac Pro looks like a fancy, overpriced trash bin.

However, if you compared the new Pro with its predecessor, it would be difficult to not appreciate its sophisticated design. Talk about a radical change.

It should be stated that this isn’t recommended for home use. This hardware is scary powerful, and better used by professionals in high-level graphics and video editing. Even though this might not be a suitable gift for the home, designers and video editors in their respective fields will swoon for it.

This goes perfect with a 27-inch Mac display but it can also provide an output to three 4K displays. 4K televisions are the future, for those who aren’t in the know. It’s no joke. Even its base model, priced at $3,000 (Tk223,640, minus tax)

is incredible. Inside, there’s a quadcore 3.7GHz Intel Xeon processor, 12GB of RAM, 256GB SSD and AMD D300 FirePro graphics. The base model, along with the upgraded models, is the perfect tool for high-end movies and music production. With so much to work on, its smaller build also makes for better cooling and is more power-efficient than the older models.

Both in design and performance, Apple aims to change things up yet again.

The price may be a little off-putting but a desktop that plays video files at 3840x2160-pixel resolution smoothly is something to brag about. Now, if money is no issue, you can always try and grab its highest model. Priced at $8,099 (Tk630,750, we won’t mind if you faint), this particular beast holds a 3GHz Intel

Xeon E5-1680 (8-core) processor, 64GB DDR3 SDRAM, two 6GB AMD FIrePro D700, 1 TB SSD hard drive, all running under the OSX Mavericks Lion 10.9.

Picked your jaw up from the floor yet?

Neither have we.

Wheels

2013 Mitsubishi Mirage Small budget cars are becoming more and more popular with the economic climate at stake. The Mitsubishi Mirage is one of the newer models that aims to get hold of the cash-pressed buyers with its low running costs and affordability Tahsin Momin

What sets this app apart from the rest is that Nik, the developers, redesigned a photo editing app to be more touch friendly. Once you’ve been introduced to its interface and options, you’ll experience what makes Snapseed so great. The editing goes into deeper details than most photo related apps. From colour and contrast to maintaining the crop ratio, it lets you fix all the little tweaks. The app also introduces an innovative option called Selective adjustment. It gives you the ability to simply point at a certain part of the image and only edit that particular chosen bit. This is much easier than Photoshop touch’s lasso tool. However, it’s still pretty difficult to beat the Adobe Photoshop Touch.

Being a close second isn’t too bad.

If you are looking for something basic, there’s plenty of other photo apps out there that will get the job done.

Snapseed has plenty of features, like image ambiance or structure, which only photo enthusiasts will understand. Unfortunately, there’s no on-app manual for you to learn those extra tricks. But worry not, Nik offers users to view video demos on their website, if you have that kind of time.

In any case, this cross platform app (downloadable on Mac and Windows) is definitely worth a try.

The 2013 Mitsubishi Mirage is an all-new city car that is the smallest and cheapest vehicle the Japanese automaker produced this year. Built in Thailand, the Mirage comes in a variety of Skittles-like colours, including kiwi green, plasma purple and sapphire blue, along with the conventional black, white, and silver. When it comes to superminis, we have always imagined something very funky and stylish and the Mirage lives up to that expectation.

With the new Mirage, Mitsubishi has opted to go old school. Which means there are no complicated electronic

gizmos fiddling around with the car’s performance or handling. It is equipped with a frugal 1.2-litre inline-3 cylinder engine summed up with a CVT transmission, kicking out a mighty 74hp.

Having said so, the car still manages to do 22km/litre. You can go the extra mile without having to worry about refilling.

Inside, the Mirage is straightforward if plain. Seat upholstery is black fabric with toned threads forming a sporty check pattern. The gauge cluster is simple, a large speedometer, a small tachometer and a gas gauge are the dominant elements. The knobs and switches

for the automatic climate control and audio system are large and relatively spontaneous. There is descent leg room in the front and in the back as well.

With budget cars in demand for inner city runabouts, Mitsubishi’s little Mirage is the right size and price to capture the interest of bargain-hunting car buyers.

Unfortunately, it is a budget car that really feels it, and it is up against some very tough competition.

Rangs Limited 215, Tejgaon Industrial Area Bir Uttam Mir Showkat Sarak Dhaka-1208

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6

Tact Rant

The most overrated things ever Five most annoying things that you can’t comprehend why the world loves so much Esha Aurora no perception skill in life or some things are more overrated than people think.

Here is our list of all the things that make our skin crawl.

We have all been there. A friend rushes over and asks if we have heard about a certain place, thing, movie, band, etc. and then proceeds to tell you just how mind-blowingly amazing it is. However once you try it you realise your friend must be a one off idiot in your circle, only to find out that the rest of your world is just as excited by it. So either you have

Twilight series: No part of this insult to two mediums of communication ie books and films makes any sense whatsoever.

Why is a teenage girl so excited to die for her first boyfriend? Also why is she not at all creeped out by the fact that he secretly enters her room and watches her sleep? Most importantly why on earth would a 100-year-old man be in love with an emotionally ice teenage girl? Pedophile anyone?

Justin Bieber: EVERYTHING. IN ALL CAPS. Miley Cyrus: Disney has a tendency to churn out squeaky clean teenagers

who seem to have everything together.

Then they seem to fall, stumble all over the place. Think Britney Spears all over again. These kids are a train wreck about to happen. Case in point “Twerking” on global television.

High-low clothes: Ok we get it. It’s one part low and one part high on your shirt/dress but it’s been a while and we’re over it. It was fun having an asymmetrical hemline for a while but really this one is beyond overrated and just tiresome now.

into the vocabulary. You can no longer open Facebook and not be assaulted by a million angular photos of friends, family and sometimes shockingly, of your parents.

In a world full of annoying people, sometimes you hear a fun fact and think wow. Here is one: the year 1986 has the exact same calendar dates as 2014. Meaning if you happen to have a 28-year-old calendar lying about in the store room, it’s useful all over again!

Selfies: Anyone with a social networking account will tell you that their friends have turned into a self-obsessed picture taking freak overnight. In fact, the people responsible for adding words to the dictionary meaning legitimise street language has added the word “selfie”

Suruiual

Photo: Big Stock

Look perfect in every photo How to never take a bad picture again Esha Aurora Photo: Big Stock

this sounds ridiculous, but our most genuine smiles can sometimes be a tad bit too toothy or gummy in photographs. Look at yourself in the mirror and smile, see if a full faced grin or a smirk flatters your features the most.

Sometimes you see a photo of yourself and it sends your self-confidence plummeting down to the centre of the earth. Some photos taken from a certain angle is bound to make even Beyoncé look like a parakeet. That’s just it. It is really all about the angle and how well you know it. Here is a cheat sheet on how to face the camera head on.

Find your smile

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Avoid the double chin this is perhaps the worst of all cameras’ offence.

You take a picture where you think you look good only to find that you have magically acquired a double chin. There is hope, and that is to always look up at the camera slightly tightening your neck.

Try looking over the camera so you don’t end up having red eyes.

Angle your body We know this from a bazillion celebrity photographs yet doing this at a social gathering only makes us look a tiny bit ridiculous. You can still do this, without

going into a full on glamazon mode.

Position your body sideways from the camera, place one leg slightly forward and face the camera. Arms on the hips are optional.

Avoid direct light Fact, taking photos under direct light will give you horrible shadows under your eyes (it’s from your eyelashes) and make you look like a pasty, recently released inmate from Siberia. The best light to take photos in is however a somewhat diffused light, meaning stand away from any harsh lighting but stay within its glow.

Practise good posture Think lean tall thoughts when you sit down. A good posture will take pounds off you in photos. When sitting down, don’t hunch, breathe your stomach in and extend your legs and arms. This automatically extends your neck and that means no double chin to worry about.

You should practise this as much as you can. Use a mirror, take countless selfies and learn. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect and this is especially true in this case.

Tease

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Love myths revisited Three ludicrous myths about love Natasha Myth: Love is enough Truth: Love is barely enough Despite how often couples like to tell themselves that love alone will conquer their bitter arguments, their trust issues as well as their communication issues, the truth of the matter is love alone does not suffice. While love is necessary, what is more important than love is understanding and compromise.

Every time you try to convince yourself that love will help you break free from the problems your relationship is facing, remember these two most important components of love will work towards a solution.

Myth: Distance makes the heart grow fonder Truth: Distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for other people When couples regularly interact and keep in touch, regardless of whether or not they are in a long-distance relationship, they always have stronger communication and better

Rahman

understanding of each other’s lives.

Some argue that being too close as a couple can feel invasive, others believe that being too far away can make couples drift apart. The truth of the matter is simple – when your partner is away for so long that he can no longer imagine, understand or share other aspects of your life with you, your heart will grow fonder, and that too, for other people.

Myth: Love is life Truth: Love is a battle Once the honeymoon period of a relationship is over, couples find themselves at times madly, passionately in love, and other times in screaming bouts, up against each other like raging lunatics. At times love’s course runs so low that lovers imagine letting go of what they once thought they could not live without. However, despite the heated arguments and the petty breaks that come in the lovers’ way, it is only true lovers that live through it all.

Truth be told On any given situation, women are four times more likely to cry than men Photo: Big Stock

The rebound

Chill, it won’t last Mahmood Sometimes life is harsh. No one said it was fair. It’s how we handle ourselves in certain situations that matters most.

It builds character, while you learn from your mistakes. One of the biggest mistakes, at least relationship wise, is becoming “the rebound.” In the sport of basketball, a rebound is the act of successfully grabbing the ball after a missed shot. After bouncing off the rim of the basket, whoever catches and holds possession of the ball is rewarded a point under the rebound category in his or her game stats. In other words, you better not be the player catching her after she ends it with someone else.

Alright, so you like her a lot. You’ve been waiting for her, hoping that one day she’ll be yours. Wait. What’s that? She just broke up with her boyfriend? You’re there to console her because you’re a good friend right? Come on! Who are you kidding? You want to shower her with so much love, care and attention thinking she’ll end up with you. Let’s take a step back and analyse this. This

Hossain

is a position you don’t want to be in. Not unless she was planning on breaking it off with her man and eventually getting with you. More often than not, that isn’t the case.

It can be frustration, her vindictive nature or simply her vulnerable state.

Whatever affection she’ll throw your way is temporary. These are not signs of her wanting to spend the rest of her life with you. If she’s been with her former lover

Photo: Big Stock

for quite some time, it’s going to take her the same amount or even double the period of time to get over him. You are simply a quick fix for her. Don’t fall into the trap. Well, unless that’s what you are looking for in the first place.

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Try Out DIY

Cardboard ring frames Make yourself a memory wall Esha Aurora Have you ever looked at a cardboard roll of a toilet paper and thought, there might be some use for this? Well, actually there is! You can use that and pictures and make interesting photo frames to hang them up on your wall for a fun little trip down memory lane.

Here is what you need: • Toilet paper rolls • Sandpaper • A ruler • A knife • A pencil • Lots of pictures • Scissors or circle cutters • White glue Instructions: • First clean the rolls with sandpaper.

Make sure they are smooth and even.

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• Use a knife to cut out rings from the rolls, use varying kinds of width to add depth to your frames. Use the ruler to measure the width of each ring.

• Take the cut out rings and place them over a desired part of a photograph and draw an outline around the circle.

Use that reference and cut that part of the photo out.

• Apply glue to the outer circle of the rings, place photographs on top and let them dry. Repeat the process until you run out of all the rings.

• Glue together all the rings in any shape or form you like.

• Place the rings on the wall over a pin.

Voila! You got yourself a fun new wall hanging full of memories and interesting photos period.

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Tailored Style

His Style by

Session

Winter winds

Photo : Big Stock

Colder days demand better care for your hair It’s bad enough with the poor quality of air we have to deal with every day in the city. Now that we’re well into winter, it’s even more important to follow a decent regimen to keep your hair and scalp healthy.

The cover-up Most men will seek to cover their heads with hats and beanies during the colder months. There’s nothing wrong with that as it is the most practical thing to do to keep warm. The issue here is that man-made materials can cause an undesirable friction static for the hair.

Those materials are also less breathable, in turn making your head sweat. To avoid hat hair or raising the heat up top, aim for more natural fibres like wool.

Dry scalp The winter is absolutely cruel to our skin.

This becomes a problem because of the extreme contrast from stepping outdoors to staying warm indoors. We reach for our moisturisers to keep the rest of the

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Photo: Big Stock

body hydrated, but often forget that our scalp and hair are no different. Avoid shampooing your hair as often as you used to, try every other two days. You have to let the natural oils run through.

Q: My father-in-law is a successful lawyer abroad. His style is quite conservative so I was wondering what kind of gift I should get for his birthday next month. I’m not sure if a suit will do, what can I get him?

Running in the wind Wind swept hair is another pain in the backside. In these cases, stay away from using gel. Some men are blessed with beautiful thick hair but most men aren’t as fortunate. It’s bad enough to lose hair during a shower. If you must use hair products, go for wax-based products like pomade. You can style it by blow-drying your hair before you head out. Whatever you use, only take very small amounts.

A: Getting clothes for anyone on their birthday is not the greatest idea. For one, it’s difficult to surprise someone with ill-fitted clothing. On top of that, there’s the risk of them not liking what you’ve given them at all. Unless they’ve given you a gift list, it’s wiser to steer away from clothing items. What you can do is find fashionable accessories.

Accessories that will last a long while and used over and over again. Perhaps a new briefcase or spend a little extra on a wristwatch. It’s always a good idea to find out about his taste and preferences as well.

Not too wet The best way to dry your hair after a shower is to do it naturally. Drying your hair with a towel, in a kindly fashion that will prevent more hair fall. Kindly means don’t rush through it, your head has feelings too.

In Fashion

Beneath it all

Exercising the number one rule in fashion during winter

We cannot stress enough on how important layering is this season. This one is dedicated to all those lighter fabrics hidden behind the glamour.

It’s great to look your best regarding your outer appearance, but we often tend to forget about the unsung heroes underneath. Under shirts, both short and long-sleeved, mean a great deal. Even hoodies made from lighter fabrics go well with heavier and warmer jackets.

With the recent crop of Uniqlo stores all around the city, it shouldn’t be too difficult for anyone to get the appropriate innerwear. The technology they use with their materials are slapped on their tags. Even though it’s not of the highest quality, they are durable threads for everyday use. In other words, not only is it ridiculously

Articles by Mahmood Hossain

affordable but it will last you quite some time. There’s also boxer briefs, shorts, trousers and jeans to consider.

The best part of the first layers to your outfit is that they are versatile. Once you get home, there’s no need to take them off; you can go from chic to lazy in an instant. On the not so cold days, you can always sport the classic tee and jeans combination.

This works best with Henley shirts.

Last but not least, they are incredibly comfortable. It’s always first priority when it comes to wearing clothes. If you aren’t comfortable, there’s no use for the particular item. Never wear something for the sake of it. That, gentlemen, is a style foul.

You can remove both wax and chewing gum stains on suede shoes by leaving them in the freezer for a few hours. The gum will be hard enough for you to chip away and then, allow you to brush off any leftovers

Photo : Big Stock

Q: I love suede shoes, the feel and touch, everything about it. I was wondering if autumn is the only season to wear them. Can you tell me when it’s okay to wear suede shoes?

A: Well, let’s not forget the winter season either. Suede does have that autumn feel to it, but you can wear suede whenever. If it was possible to wear it all year, no one would blame you for it. However, the only time you shouldn’t wear it is during the rainy season. It should be obvious that water and suede simply do not mix well. Even if it’s a tad gloomy outside with a chance of a shower, you’re better off keeping those suave pair of shoes at home. To keep things fresh, invest in a suede shoe cleaning kit, available at select stores like Bata.

Search for suede brushes, and for stubborn marks, a simple pencil eraser will do.

Send in your queries at avenuet@dhakatribune.com

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10

Tempt Hair

Hair myths exposed

Our mothers and grandmothers were always full of pointers on how to keep our crowning glory at its shiniest and fullest. They may have meant well, but weren’t always right. Avenue T debunks common hair myths and teaches you how to do it right

Navin Ahmed

Cutting hair will make it longer This common myth makes no sense whatsoever. While cutting layers into your hair will make it appear fuller and the regular trimming of split ends will

keep your tresses healthier, the facts don’t change. Hair grows from the roots and not the tips. The best thing you can do for the health of your hair is take good care of it and eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Even though many people believe washing hair everyday will dry it out, if you use a mild shampoo that is formulated for your hair type, you can wash your hair as often as you want

Photo: Big Stock

Messy treatments Save the mayonnaise for your salad.

Some women swear by treatments made from mayonnaise, raw eggs and host of other unpleasant scented items. Say goodbye to the days of having a sloppy mess on your head that can be a real pain to wash out. While the oil from the mayonnaise and the protein from the eggs may make your hair softer (and a bit stinky,) a good old olive or coconut oil treatment will help you achieve the same results.

Photo: Big Stock

Brush hair a hundred times a day While regular brushing helps to spread the oil that accumulates on your scalp down to the tips is healthy since the rest of your hair gets a natural dose of moisture, overdoing it may cause harm.

Invest in a quality brush with natural bristles as opposed to the cheap plastic kind and use it gently to comb through your hair when needed.

Plucking greys will multiply regrowth This is a myth that even the smartest people seem to believe. It’s just not true.

The grey strand you pluck will grow back the same shade because the specific follicle no longer possesses the same colour as the rest of your hair. The idea

that more greys will sprout up around the plucked area is simply not true, as hair follicles have to lose their pigment in order to change colour. Salt and pepper hair can be very sexy. If you can’t bring yourself to embrace it, dye it instead of plucking.

Beauty

Prep like a pro

Be it a wedding, an anniversary or a graduation party, life is full of great events that we must prepare for and look our best in. Here are some tricks to help you look flawless and beautiful Navin Ahmed * If you are breaking out anywhere, use eyedrops to mask the redness, as it has anti-inflammatory agents that constrict the blood vessels. * Use an aspirin mask to combat acne for good. Doing this daily will reduce the acne permanently. Mix aspirin powder with water to make a paste and apply on the affected areas. Rinse off after five minutes. Your face will be flawless in no time. * This is my favourite scrub of all time.

Dip a slice of lemon into sugar and scrub your face with it for two to three minutes. Wash off and moisturise. Your skin should feel smooth and squeakyclean. Do this only at night before

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bedtime. This will exfoliate all the dead skin off your face and brighten your face as lemon has natural bleaching agents that will help to fade any acne blemishes away. * Use a peeling mask on your face. It goes on gooey and then you can peel them off when it’s dry. It will seek out any excess sebum or dirt on your skin. * Nurture your skin with a good collagen mask. Apply the mask that comes in a packet for 10 minutes and then remove and massage the excess product into your skin. This will tighten your skin, give it some lift and take away any dullness.

These are better than any facials you can get at a spa.

Photo: Big Stock

Tempt

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Trends

Truth be told

Style essential:

the denim jacket

Indigo dye was first used for jeans because of its durability and ability to hide dirt when not washed

Quick tips to pick out your denim staple Maya Almuqtadir What’s awesome to throw on top of your T-shirt any time of the year? A denim jacket. Great for both men and women, a denim jacket can be a style staple that stays with you through the years. Here are our tips on how to scope out the best denim jacket.

Fit is key: Make sure the jacket does not hang past the shoulder line or falls below the bellybutton.

Button down: Be sure that you are able to button the jacket down once you have your undershirt on. This is very important for the right fit and comfort.

Colour: You can pick whatever colour you please but it’s great to have a basic blue denim jacket that goes with everything.

Hardware: Little studs and spikes add just a little bit more of a rocker feel to denim jackets. Don’t shy away from a little bit of hardware on your jacket.

However, stay away from coloured stones. As far as styling a denim jacket is concerned, it is quite easy breezy. Just pair it with anything and everything. Try out different looks and don’t be hesitant to pairing it down with outfits like maxi dresses and coloured denim jeans.

Photo: Big Stock

Maya Almuqtadir is the designer and owner of Mayali and a practitioner of fusing international and local trends

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12

Trial Room

Paint the town red Among the hordes of online stores, Red Velvet stands out in terms of its offering. A bunch of young talents with a great sense of fashion are relentlessly working behind the label. After the fabulous response to their previous three collections, they now offer a few unique designer outfits to triumph over the wedding season with panache. Chiffon, katan, velvet with touches of embroidery and stone work highlight their dresses for this festive season.

Tausif Sanzum Wardrobe: Red Velvet Photographers: Glimpse photography, Maisha Samiha and Fahim Zaman Models: Samin, Natasha Jaita and Jenifer Location courtesy: MĂŠlange - Coffee N Conversation

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News

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Bangladesh artist wins the New Florence Biennale 2013 award The International Biennial of Contemporary Art in Florence or Florence Biennale is one of the very few European art events where notable artists from all over the world gather in Florence, the exhibition spaces of Fortezza da Basso, to share a unique experience. Each year Florence Biennale confers the award Lorenzo il Magnifico and last year world famous artists Anish Kapoor, Franco Mussida and Henryk Jurkowski received the awards.

Celebrated artist from Bangladesh Ronni Ahmmed won this prestigious award for his 10 minutes animation video “Seven Hundred Miles of Sleep Walking.”

The film is a multimedia video work consisting animation music and video images. It has a linguistic approach and also provides a new interpretation of Ronni Ahmmed’s paintings. The animation film was produced by the Mermaid Art Foundation.

Gentle Park introduces a new line of formal wear

2013’s opening ceremony of Asia Debate Academy Organised by World Debate Institute, Asia Debate Academy and United International University in conglomeration of a renowned debate championship, held its opening ceremony at UIU. The programme started immediately before the World Universities Debating Championship in Chennai, India which began on December 27, 2013. UIU’s Vice Chancellor Prof Dr M Rezwan Khan presided over the ceremony while Prof Dr Md Golam Rahman, Founder Vice Chancellor of UIU and Ex-Vice Chancellor of Khulna University was present as the chief guest. Prof Dr Alfred Snider, Director, World Debate Institute and Ln MK Bashar PMJF, Chairman BSB Foundation were present as special guests. 300 students and 30 world-renowned debate faculties participated in the programme.

Fashion outlet Gentle Park has launched a collection of monochromatic as well as multicoloured-striped sweaters for young men this winter. They have used cotton, acrylic, nylon, viscose, etc as materials. In addition, they are also offering discounts up to 50% at their Level 2, Bashundhara City outlet.

For more information, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook. com/GentlePark.Bd

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14

Tell Letters to Mars

Ousted by the girlfriend Q. I’ve always wondered why some people change when they find a new partner. My best friend and I have always been very close. Ever since he found a new girlfriend, he has changed. He only has eyes for her and does whatever she says. She’s over possessive and wants to meet him every single day. Sometimes he doesn’t call me for days because he’s so busy with her. I fell ill a few days ago but he didn’t even bother visiting me. I’m so hurt and sad. I want my best friend back. I hate the person he has turned into.

MH

A. Well, have you ever been in love?

Yes, people in love become selfish at the beginning of the relationship: they are besotted with each other and all they can see is themselves. Give your friend a little time. If you want to keep your friend you must invite him with his girlfriend, a simple sms: let us have coffee together, will do. If you resent her, you are likely to lose him.

Make her feel welcome to the friendship rather than isolate her by only inviting him to meet you. She will encourage your friend to see you as she will not see you as a threat. By the way dear MH, I do not know if you are a male or female. If you are a female I would not try to see your friend alone. No need to make the other girl jealous.

Photo: Big Stock

Letters to Venus

The overworked husband Dear AA, I’m a 27-year-old woman married for the past nine months to a man I was in a relationship with for eight years. Once we got married, I was convinced this would be wedded bliss. While on the surface it looks like it, there’s this tiny glitch that really bothers me. He’s always busy working. He comes home late EVERY night, despite fervent requests to spend some time with me. Moreover, even when he is at home, he constantly talks about work. What is it at work that keeps him so busy?

How do I stop this?

Our Agony Aunt is a Life Coach and Relationship Coach as well as a Corporate and Organisational Consultant. AA lives and works in Bangladesh but travels extensively around the world to attend seminars and see her clients

A. This is the old adage: my husband works too hard, he is not attentive as he was when we were dating, etc. Many wives complain about this. I understand it well, it is not pleasant, but we must understand men’s make up: once men get married, it is as if the flirting and the romanticism – that we women need so much - is not a necessary thing, they have after all won our hearts. They believe there is no need to chase us and conquer us anymore. So, what do we do? YOU need to conquer him! Now you maybe thinking, “Oh gosh! this is such an anti-feminist thing to do!” But do you know that when someone does not do what we would like them to do for us, we must be the example for them to imitate us. Go and fetch him from work, take him out for a cup of tea or a drink. Make sure when he comes home you smile, after all the home should be his

Photo: Big Stock

AVEN U E T TH U RS DAY, JAN UARY 9, 201 4

sanctuary. Do not have a long face, make him feel he comes home to a safe place; remember when he comes home he is tired and he has fought many battles and takes time to unwind. You may think that you work really hard too but you always make time for him. You are right, but, YOU are the one who is unhappy about the state of things, put yourself in charge of the situation and remember, whatever you do, you do it for your own happiness, YOU ARE WORTHY! Do not be tempted to practice “tit for tat” as it will only end in tears. Do not allow your thoughts to go down the lane of that question, “If he does not care and if he does not try, why will I?” Be the architect of your marriage, I know it takes two to tango, but often one dancer is better than the other. And sometimes a good dancer can inspire the bad one to dance better!

Take Care 15

Colour me healthy

Health

Truth be told

A fun, colourful way to add more joy to your diet

Dilshad Fayeza Haque

Green Green fruits and vegetables contain chlorophyll and lutein and are rich in antioxidants. They help protect against cancer, birth defects and cataracts.

• Spinach • Broccoli • Asparagus • Peas • Green apple • Green grapes • Limes • Green pears Red Red fruits and vegetables often contain lycopene and anthocyanin, which may help reduce the risk of several types of cancer. They protect cells from damage and contribute to heart health. A high intake of lycopene in particular has been

linked with a reduced risk of prostate cancer.

• Tomatoes • Red capsicum (red pepper) • Radishes • Red grapes • Watermelon Orange and yellow Orange fruits and vegetables contain potassium, and carotenoids, associated with a reduced risk of cancer and heart disease, and improved immune system.

They may help protect against kidney stones and lower blood pressure. They prevent two of the most common causes of blindness: cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Citrus fruits like oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C and folate, and vitamin B that helps reduce the risk of birth defects.

• Pumpkin • Corn • Kumara (sweet potato) • Rock melon • Lemons • Mangoes • Pineapples • Oranges • Carrots

Photo: Big Stock

Incorportaing nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables that have a rainbow of colours is perhaps the single best thing you can do to improve your diet. Fruits and vegetables contain phytochemicals.

These phytochemicals give fruits and vegetables their distinctive colours and smells and are responsible for the protective properties of in them. We generally classify fruits and vegetables into five colour groups.

The French used to refer to the tomato as the “apple of love.”

Purple and blue They help to keep the heart healthy, reduce the risk of strokes, and help to protect against cancer. They improve balance, coordination and short-term memory loss in old people. They help to protect against urinary tract infections.

• Grapes • Plums • Prunes • Raisins • Red cabbage • Red onions White and brown Not as vibrant as the other colour groups, but we should not underestimate the nutritional contribution that brown or white fruits and vegetables can make to our diet.

• • • • • • • • •

Cauliflower Garlic Ginger Mushrooms Onions Potatoes Bananas Brown pears Dates

Be sure to include an assortment of colours in your diet. While eating them, imagine that you have little pieces of rainbow on your plate stuffed with nothing but goodness.

Yoga

A back that tempts Bringing the sexy back with an easy yoga pose that focuses on your back Natasha Rahman With the obsession over warming up the muscles of your abs and legs, the back is one area that often goes neglected.

Being the centre of your posture and confidence, the back too needs that special attention. If you are letting your spine sit long and tall, it only elongates your posture and makes you look like a classy dame as well. Here’s a workout to bring sexy back!

arch your chest up to make a nice curve on the back. Your feet should be resting in a way so that your toes are pointing to the back wall.

If at any moment, you feel any sort of discomfort on your back or arms or hamstrings ease out of this position.

Place your hands to your sides and using

the strength of your arms and upper body raise yourself up carefully. If you feel like this position is giving your back a nice stretch, then inhale and exhale deeply into it. You must remember to always inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. While you exhale, imagine that your body is relaxing into a calm serene state and your back is strengthening.

Natasha Rahman is an aerobics instructor at The Dazzle Ltd. She is also a staff reporter for Tmag. She lives to eat and doesn’t believe in starving yourself to look stunning.

Easing into the Supta Vajrasana Grab your yoga mat or any soft mattress, and sit down placing your hips in between your heels. Place your hands on either side of you and reach for the soles of your feet. Glide back, keeping your elbows down on the floor and try and lower your back down one elbow at a time. Drop your head back and slowly put your head down on the floor. Raise both your arms and grab onto your elbows pressing your elbows down.

Press onto the mat with your hands and AVE N U E T TH U RSDAY, JAN UARY 9, 20 1 4

16

Tantalise Recipe

Wrapped with love A lighter, healthier alternative to the generic wrap/roll we are accustomed to

Fiona Khan Rolls have always been that only filling item on most menus that are usually both satisfactory and fairly priced. Whether filled with chicken, beef or a mix of both, freshly made rolls will surely satiate your appetite.

The following recipe is a much lighter version of the generic roll. Using cabbage instead of paratha as the wrap, this roll is given an interesting crunch flavour and a unique taste, thanks to the sauces employed.

Ingredients (Serves 2-3) • 3tbsp oil • 2 boneless and skinless chicken breasts • 2/3 cup mushrooms • 3tbsp chopped onions • 1tsp minced garlic • 4-5 leaves iceberg lettuce Special sauce • 1/4 cup sugar • 1/2 cup water • 2tbsp soy sauce • 2tbsp rice vinegar • 2tbsp ketchup • 1tbsp lemon juice • 1/8tsp sesame oil • 1tbsp hot mustard • 2tsp water • 1–2tsp garlic and red chilli paste Stir fry sauce • 2tbsp soy sauce • 2tbsp brown sugar • 1/2tsp rice vinegar

Directions: Begin by mixing the sugar in a small bowl to start making the special sauce.

Add the soy sauce, rice vinegar, ketchup, lemon juice and sesame oil. Thoroughly mix and refrigerate the mixture for some time. Mix hot water with hot mustard and set it aside. For the sauce to be used in your wrap, add your desired amounts of mustard and garlic chilli sauce to the special sauce mixture. In a separate pan, bring oil to a high heat. Sauté the chicken breasts for five minutes on each side.

Once done, set it aside. While the chicken cools off, mince the mushrooms to bitesized pieces. Start on the stir-fry sauce by mixing the soy sauce, brown sugar and rice vinegar in a bowl. Once the chicken cools down, mince it to the size of the mushrooms. Leaving the pan on high heat, add another tablespoon of vegetable oil.

Pour in the stir fry sauce and sauté the chicken mixture for a few minutes before wrapping it in lettuce. Top this with the special sauce.

Tips and Tricks

The domestic goddesses tell all If you believe you have a domestic goddess in you, email us with your special tips and tricks at avenuet@ dhakatribune.com with the subject line reading “Tips and Tricks.”

AVEN U E T TH U RS DAY, JAN UARY 9, 201 4

• To keep your cheese fresh for longer, always wrap it in aluminum foil and then store it in fridges.

Nasim Bin Rahaman, 42, Kulshi

get work done around the house is to begin by doing your least favourite task, be it cleaning the toilet or washing the clothes.

Jahangir Khan, 43, Uttara

• Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a subtle taste and towards the end to blast it with flavour.

Farheene Akhtar, 35, Baridhara

• When mixed with water into a thick paste, oatmeal can also work as a heavy-duty hand soup.

Jaylene Tabassum, 34, Gulshan

• One of the best ways to quickly

• Copper and brass cooking pots

can be cleaned using a little bit of tomato juice. Soak a piece of cloth in tomato juice and wipe the pots.

Sumaiya Binte Kareem, 24, Niketan

• Add shine and luster to wooden furniture by wiping them with a dash of olive oil.

Kashfia Shams, 36, Mirpur

Tucked In

17

Decor

Spaced out

Photo: Big Stock

Gone are the days when rooms used to be huge.

These days space has become a luxury and most flats have tiny rooms. By applying a few clever tricks, you can make your rooms look much bigger

Tausif Sanzum There are various reasons for living in a small apartment. Maintaining a spacious house can be tiresome and expensive.

With careful planning while buying furniture, choosing the right shades of colour for walls and strategic lighting, you can make your rooms look significantly bigger.

Built-in shelves If you want to avoid cluttering your room with a lot of furniture, you can always opt for built-in shelves on your walls. These shelves will act as storage facilities without taking up extra space. Avoid making them too deep as that will make your walls look messy.

The right colour If you notice carefully, walls and floors

occupy the maximum space in your home.

Hence, they have a really important role to play in making your place look bigger.

Employing lighter shades of colours on your walls and floor makes your rooms look bigger and brighter. They are more reflective compared to darker tones and provide an open and airy feel. Pick shades of creams, blues or light shades of pinks for your walls and tiles.

Mirrors Mirrors are miraculous. Instead of having a separate dressing table, go for mirrored closet doors. They reflect both natural and artificial light and as such will make a room look bigger both during the day and night. Use mirror tiles to cover an entire wall of a room to make it look double its size.

Some extra tips • Research a bit on the internet to learn about innovative decorating ideas on how to make customised multifunctional furniture.

•

Do not install too many doors in your

house as they take up a lot of space.

•

Do not fill every wall cabinet, built-in or normal shelf around your house.

Leave some racks and shelves empty as that will make it look more spacious.

Pets

Raising pigeons 101

Pigeons are gentle and easily-tamed. Their interactive nature makes them the perfect choice for any bird lover Tausif Sanzum If you are planning to get a pet bird, pigeons should be on top of your list. They are normally social and it is recommended to get at least a pair of them if not a flock. However, if you are planning to get a single pigeon, you have to keep the following things in mind: Requires attention A single pigeon will require a lot more of your companionship and time compared to a flock of them. In case you are planning to raise just one, make sure you have plenty of time to invest in taking care of it. Since you would be spending a lot of your time with your pet, understandably, you will be more emotionally attached to it.

Taming becomes easier Domestication of a single pigeon is comparatively easier. The simple logic behind this being that when you have a flock of pigeons, they would always tend to split in groups that would be harder

Photo: Big Stock

to train. On the contrary domesticating a single pigeon can allow it to learn and grow without the influence of others of its kind. It will remain devoted entirely to you until exposed to other pigeons.

Feeding and training You need to hand feed your pet pigeon, especially if it’s a baby. Though you might see this as an added responsibility, moments like these will only strenghten the bond between you two. Pigeons are very intelligent. If you show them something once or a couple of times, they will be able to imitate it quickly enough.

In-house shelter Since you are raising a single pigeon, it is advisable to keep it indoors instead of having it cooped up in a rooftop hutch.

When you bring in the bird, keep it in its cage for a few weeks. Verbal interaction is crucial for the first few weeks without directly touching the bird. This will allow the pigeon to adapt to you and your

surroundings. A few weeks later, set the bird free in an enclosed room. Do this on a regular basis, till you realise

the pigeon is no longer vulnerable to predators and is familiarised with you and its surroundings.

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18

Trails

The enchanting tales of

the regal remnants

The History of Manikganj goes back to a momentous crusade fought between the Mughal army and the collective forces of the Bara Bhuiyans under Musa Khan at Jatrapur and Dakchara on the Ichamati, consequentially defeating the Bara Bhuiyans and establishing the Mughal domination over the central bhati region. The charm of royal remains is in the intricate work of the early 19th century which still persists and it is a must see for the ones who are fascinated with the rich history and culture that these remains provide

Tasnuva Rahim Humayra AVEN U E T TH U RS DAY, JAN UARY 9, 201 4

Trails

19

What to do

Teota Palace One of the most intriguing of the numerous vanishing palaces of Bangladesh is Teota located near the banks of Padma and Jamuna. In the early 19th century, Panchanan Chaudhuri returned to Manikganj, presumably to get hold of the rights of tax collection and becoming zamindar. He initiated building the structure of the palace complex that was to become the main residence of his family for 150 years. So vastly considered, the family were one of the few zaminder families in Bengal to be granted a personal honorific of a royal title, presumably Nawab. Around 1920, the remarkable Navaratna Temple was built next to the palace in a style which can be best described as Art Deco fused with Hinduism. The temple was perhaps the very last of the great constructions on the location.

Shivalaya Temple Perched at the sacred Bodhi tree, the remnants of this sanctified edifice seems to be a symbol for the archaeology and prosperous religious history of Bangladesh. This is one of the thousands of such Hindu shrines and temples, which are unfortunately being neglected and left to ruin across the country. It also represents the inimitable blend in the lands of Bangladesh of the Hindu and Buddhist religions. The tree is considered to be sacred by many belief groups but it is especially associated with Buddhism since the Buddha himself found enlightenment beneath one such tree. Thus to have a Bodhi tree wrapped around a Hindu shrine seems almost symbolic.

Brass factory in Dhamrai This is where brass work is still undertaken

in the ‘vanishing wax’ method that has been used in the Ganges Basin since the early development of metal in Gangetic Plain Civilisation, one of the earliest, between 4 and 5,000 years ago.

Another interesting place in the vicinity that’s worth a visit is the Ayesha Abed Foundation which is the supply chain element of Aarong.

What to eat The best places to eat are the roadside stalls. They have an array of local Bangladeshi food that one can enjoy with friends and family.

INDEX

Getting there

Hotline numbers: 0184 145 500, 0184 144 5500 or Email:info@tigertoursbd.com Blog: http://bangladeshunlocked. blogspot.com/ Website: http://www. tigertoursbd.com/

Where to stay Even though these are day trips, one can extend it to an overnight one. HRDC Proshika Campus can be considered as a decent accommodation.

The non-AC buses are the only available transportation for reaching this destination.

Photo credit: Tiger tours

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Travels

Marrakech, Morocco The International Film Festival of Marrakech has attracted a lot of attention towards this historical city. Bustling with souks, gardens, palaces and mosques, it certainly manages to be a great travel destination

Tausif Sanzum What to do

Visit Medina This famous historical city is lined with shops which is reminiscent of the book Arabian Nights. You can find a wide variety of spices, kaftans, shoes, teapots and various exotic items in the souks (an open-air marketplace.) Snake charmers, people with monkeys, dancers and musicians revel in the streets all night.

Tourists here often get henna tattoo painted.

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Majorelle Gardens This botanical garden was built during the 1920s. With a comparatively expensive entry fee, the garden houses various species of florae from around the world. The garden prides itself on housing a wide variety of Castus species.

If you are a nature lover, the botanical garden is the place you should visit to learn more about desert florae.

Be starstruck If you are planning to visit Marrakech, try to be there during the International Film Festival. Over a very short period of time, the film festival has earned a name for itself among the hordes of other movie festivals. If you are a hard-core movie fan, then this festival will get you all giddy as film-makers and stars from all over the world attend it.

Travels

What to eat

21

Where to stay

Hotel Narjisse (Tk4,000 and up) If you want to opt for a budget friendly hotel which is comfortable then this is the place for you. The rooms might be very old but they are clean and cozy. It is located very near to the Medina but in a street away from all the chaos of the city.

The friendly staff is an added incentive.

Chicken Bastilla This sweet-savory chicken, almond and egg pie is a Moroccan classic.

Traditionally, it is served as a large communal pie. However, if you are a visitor you can always opt for individual-sized bastillas.

Riad Kheirredine (Tk11,000 and up) Grand and elegant are the adjectives which you can use to describe this hotel. Natural cotton carpets, cashmere blankets and furniture created by local craftsmen add a very authentic aura to its ambience. At the same time all the amenities which you might expect in a modern hotel are readily available.

Mechoui This is basically roasted legs of lamb.

The piece of meat is marinated in a traditional Moroccan spice rub and then slowly cooked until it gains a buttery tenderness. An interesting fact is that traditionally the lamb as a whole was served rather than just its legs.

Riad Kniza (Tk32,000 and up) This hotel dates back to the 18th century and it has been refurnished in such a way that it brings back the ancient Moroccan regal aura. It is an exclusive hotel and can host only a limited number of guests at a time. Hence booking in advance of your travel is suggested.

Adding more grandeur to the hotel is its exquisite array of authentic food.

Couscous with Seven Vegetables If you think that Moroccan dishes are all rich food, then this dish is for you. The couscous is steamed and then meat and vegetable stew are added. At times additional vegetable toppings are also sprinkled on top.

INDEX Riad Kheirredine Marrakech Medina, Marrakech 40000, Morocco Phone no. 00 212 5243-86364 Hotel Narjisse 101 Rue Oqba ben Nafiaa, Marrakech 40000, Morocco

Getting there

Emirates has daily flights to Dubai, where connecting flights to Marrakech, Morocco are available.

Riad Kniza 34 Derb l’Hotel | Bab Doukkala, Marrakech 40000, Morocco Phone no. 00212 524376942

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22

Tags

Installation - Nirvair Singh

Installation - Uttam Kumar Ray

Celebrating 10 years of Chhobir Haat Article & Photo Neloy I Hossain Celebrating 10 years of Chhobir Haat, the most popular open-air art hub of Bangladesh. A month long programme conducted in three phases - painting exhibition, hanging art exhibition and Art Biennale (installation and performance Art) - the event also presented four concerts along with a theatre play by a group of Prachyanat students. A children’s art camp was also organised which included an introduction to the universe and a puppet-making programme. Since its inception 10 years ago, Chhobir Haat has been striving to convene artists and art enthusiasts from all walks of life under the same roof.

Musical performance of Joler Gaan

Artist Saleh Ahmed, Masudur Rahman, Neloy I Hossain, Rashedul Huda and Bipul Shah with Abul Bark Alvi, Dean of FFA, DU

Photo: Salma Jamal Moushum

43 years of the independence

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Inauguration rally with the national song ‘Dhana dhanya pushpo bhora’

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