my city my home
January 7, 2009
All the shop signs finally began to read ‘Dhaka’. I sighed as the first pang of disappointment surfaced. I was back in Dhaka. Suddenly, it hit me. A flashback from a not-so-distant past. The micro-bus sped down Airport Road, and the Dhaka Gate came into view. At the back, the four children cheered madly. “Ain’t no city like my Dhaka city!” one screamed and soon they were chanting it in unison. After only four days in Calcutta (back then, it was still spelt like that), they were glad to be home.
Party poppers!
January 4, 2009
With the holidays on, people back home from colleges, the wedding season in full swing, and elections and the New Year nigh, this month is all about back-to-back, non-stop partying, be it a huge disco at a grand five star hotel, a cosy movie night with the family, or a barbecue party on the roof or backyard. A fun party can be of any shape and size as long as it carries the true meaning of celebration- that is, having fun with the people around you.
TV Show: Siddika Kabir’s recipe on Ntv
January 1, 2009
Cooking related regular show ‘Siddika Kabir’s Recipe’ to be aired on Ntv at 8:15pm today. Sara Zaker and Abdullah Rana have jointly directed this popular TV show. Sharmin Lucky and Prof Siddika Kabir have jointly moderated the show.
Pitha: The taste of winter
December 23, 2008
CITY winters are quite dull. You wait and you wait but the thrill of feeling the chill down the spine, walking on dew-laden grass dotted with white sheuli, seeing your breath freeze in mid air; are rare sights in any urban setting. However chilly or not, the city mornings are roofed with a foggy veneer of mist, which at times are pierced with cosy rays of the sun. And one thing urbanites never miss during these moments is sipping the morning tea with a bite of piping hot bhapa pitha.
Winter Collection @ Nitto Upohar
December 20, 2008
DECEMBER is an eventful month for Bangladeshis. We can soak ourselves in patriotism, and bask in sobriety. To add to it, this year we have Eid-ul-Azha bringing in its share of fun and frolic. Nitto Upohar has arranged an exhibition of their Winter Collection, keeping the Eid and the patriotic zest in mind.
Final resting place of Siraj Shah in need of attention
November 26, 2008
Renowned Darbesh (sage) Siraj Shah was born in 1750 at an area that is currently under Shailkupa upazila. His outstanding philanthropy and philosophies attained recognition throughout this region. In fact even mystic bard Lalon Shah called him “guru.” Unfortunately Siraj Shah’s ‘mazaar’ (shrine) has not been demarcated. There is no auditorium, library or a club within the precincts of the final resting place of this sage.
Chhayanat’s homage to poet Sufia Kamal
November 22, 2008
November 20 marked the eighth death anniversary of poet, social activist and litterateur Sufia Kamal (1911-1999). To observe the day, Chhayanat arranged a memorial programme at the Rameshchanadra Dutt Memorial Auditorium at Chhayanat Sanskriti Bhaban.
Lavender
November 3, 2008
Violet has long been a favourite with artists, writers and musicians who often choose to surround themselves with this colour when they work. The profundity of violet on the human psyche allows it to unlock the doors to our inner visions and creativity. Lighter tints of violet are less intense and the gentle tones of mauve, lavender and lilac can bring out the more intuitive side to our nature.
Artists throughout the centuries have been captivated by fields of lavender and most of us find that this attractive colour captures the gaze. Like the aroma of lavender flowers, this is a colour that has a sharp, piercing quality, leaving us feeling cool and refreshed. Lavender oil is renowned for its rejuvenating effect on our systems and using this relaxing colour in the home creates a special atmosphere that allows you time to replenish your energy and renew your enthusiasm for life.
In today’s feature, we look at a lavender and white bedroom and bathroom. The room belongs to a young teenage girl. She loves colours like pink, violet, and lavender, and settled on a lavender and white theme for her bathroom space. The tiles are a striking combination of lavender and white, and we also added glass tiles to some of the space, like the pillar. A focal point is created by a standing basin, which is set on a thick glass counter-top, which is a trendy violet colour. The bathroom accessories such as towel rack, soap holder, brush holder, etc., also follow the same colour palette.
Lavender is pale violet, so it can be effectively combined with colours adjacent to purple on the colour wheel. Lavender, blue and green is a calm and soothing combination that can be used successfully in furnishings in a living or bedroom.
Continuing on the colour scheme for the bathroom, we painted the walls of the bedroom over with a white base coat, and then added a lavender shade on the lower portion of the walls. We also used two horizontal eight -inch lines on the walls, effectively dividing them into a two shades: white and lavender. The floor is tiled in beige.
Lavender tones can be sophisticated as well, especially if combined with neutrals such as tan, beige, white and chocolate. Dusky tones are effective when used as a broken colour technique, as they provide a perfect backdrop to brightly coloured furnishings and accessories. We used brown teak wood for the furniture, which includes a classic bed, a spacious cabinet, and a reading table. Accessories include purple Roman blinds for the windows, with a long drape on the top, a long vase echoing the colour scheme, and at the entrance, a long mirror with etching work, the frame of which is attached to the moulding beats and bordered by a line of lavender, creating an interesting visual effect.
Thus, simply by working with colours, we can create a space that combines drama with sleek sophistication.
Source: The Daily Star
Ustad Azizul Islam’s flute performance
November 3, 2008
A discussion meeting and flute recital organised by Dhaka Officers Club was held at the Club Auditorium at Bailey Road in the city recently on the occasion of ‘Elders’ Day.’
Titled of the discussion was ‘Elders Role in Development of Tourism,’ which was followed by classical flute recital by master flute artiste Ustad Captain Azizul Islam.
His performance charmed the audiences with delightful aura of ‘Ragas’ for nearly an hour at the auditorium.
The program started at 7:00pm. Ustad Aziz gave a short description on different ‘Raaga’ before his solo recital that began with his self-styled ‘gaut’ (notes) on raaga ‘Yaman’ in setarkhani taal.
Then he delivered raaga ‘Darbari Kanada’ in ‘Bilambit ektal’ and ‘Druta teentaal,’ raaga ‘Hanswadhoni’ in teentaal, ‘Kirwani’ in daadra and a ‘dhun’ on ‘Mishra Pilu.’ He concluded, as usually with a ‘Bhatiyali Dhun.’ He was accompanied by pundit Bizon Choudhury (in tabla) and Md Jahangir Alam (Tanpura).
Lavender
October 28, 2008
Violet has long been a favourite with artists, writers and musicians who often choose to surround themselves with this colour when they work. The profundity of violet on the human psyche allows it to unlock the doors to our inner visions and creativity. Lighter tints of violet are less intense and the gentle tones of mauve, lavender and lilac can bring out the more intuitive side to our nature.
Artists throughout the centuries have been captivated by fields of lavender and most of us find that this attractive colour captures the gaze. Like the aroma of lavender flowers, this is a colour that has a sharp, piercing quality, leaving us feeling cool and refreshed. Lavender oil is renowned for its rejuvenating effect on our systems and using this relaxing colour in the home creates a special atmosphere that allows you time to replenish your energy and renew your enthusiasm for life.
In today’s feature, we look at a lavender and white bedroom and bathroom. The room belongs to a young teenage girl. She loves colours like pink, violet, and lavender, and settled on a lavender and white theme for her bathroom space. The tiles are a striking combination of lavender and white, and we also added glass tiles to some of the space, like the pillar. A focal point is created by a standing basin, which is set on a thick glass counter-top, which is a trendy violet colour. The bathroom accessories such as towel rack, soap holder, brush holder, etc., also follow the same colour palette.
Lavender is pale violet, so it can be effectively combined with colours adjacent to purple on the colour wheel. Lavender, blue and green is a calm and soothing combination that can be used successfully in furnishings in a living or bedroom.
Continuing on the colour scheme for the bathroom, we painted the walls of the bedroom over with a white base coat, and then added a lavender shade on the lower portion of the walls. We also used two horizontal eight -inch lines on the walls, effectively dividing them into a two shades: white and lavender. The floor is tiled in beige.
Lavender tones can be sophisticated as well, especially if combined with neutrals such as tan, beige, white and chocolate. Dusky tones are effective when used as a broken colour technique, as they provide a perfect backdrop to brightly coloured furnishings and accessories. We used brown teak wood for the furniture, which includes a classic bed, a spacious cabinet, and a reading table. Accessories include purple Roman blinds for the windows, with a long drape on the top, a long vase echoing the colour scheme, and at the entrance, a long mirror with etching work, the frame of which is attached to the moulding beats and bordered by a line of lavender, creating an interesting visual effect.
Thus, simply by working with colours, we can create a space that combines drama with sleek sophistication.
Source: The Daily Star