TMAG Vol 1 Issue 17

Dhaka Tribune

Tuesday, August 13, 2013 Volume 1, Issue 17

Hot Topic uncommon sense Spotlight circus police Written in the Stars the rise and fall of the bench

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CHECK IT OUT

Status of the week

Editor’s note Dear Readers,

A weekly production of

DhakaTribune Editor Zafar Sobhan Magazine Editor Sabrina Fatma Ahmad TMAG Team Sabiha Mahmud Sumi Rubab Nayeem Khan Munira Fidai Afshan Sattar Natasha Rahman Azfar Rahman Saudia Afrin Tahsin Momin Sama E Deen Alveera Mamoon Rifat Binte Haider Contributors Fardeen Ameen Nabeela M. Q. Zulyadain Islam Fuad M Hossain Graphics Mohammed Mahbub Alam Sabiha Mahmud Sumi

If I had to pick one thing to do for the rest of my life, it would be hitting the snooze button. I’m pretty confident I could do that forever.

Quote of the week I’m jealous of my parents; I’ll never have a kid as cool as theirs.

Lingo of the week Chappu (Short for “Chaprasi”) A Chaprasi is actually another term for the word “Peon”, however, in the lingo context, “Chaprasi” or “Chappu” is considered as a person who is usually shabbily dressed, or just plain tacky.

Example “Dude, I’m not going out with you.

You look like such a chappu today!”

Production Masum Billah Advertising Shahidan Khurshed Circulation Wahid Murad

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It’s August, and the start of a new semester. It’s also the start of a fresh cycle of political unrest, so our sympathies lie with everyone who’s going to have to juggle exams and studies with hartals. Fresh off Eid, going back to the normal rhythm has just been made harder. Although ‘normal’ is a funny word to use in the context of this country. Few people have more idiosyncrasies than the

average Bangladeshi. Now, while this makes for a comedy goldmine, it’s not that much fun to live with. Scope out the scoop on Hot Topic (Page 4&5).

We’re looking back at an old teen haunt in Written in the Stars (Page 8) and jamming with one of our favourite bands in Spotlight (Page 10).

Don’t let the back-to-school blues get you down. Send us your doodles, street check pics, confessions and more to tmag@dhakatribune.com Love from the TMAG desk

About the cover

Dhaka Tribune

Tuesday, August 13, 2013 Volume 1, Issue 17

Common offenders when it comes to using the power of common sense Cartoonist Syed Rashad Imam Tanmoy Hot Topic uncommon sense Spotlight circus police Written in the Stars the rise and fall of the bench

More inside Gossip 12 Blush Much 12 Dear Diary

11 Game Dota 2 11 TV Pretty little liars 11 Web Critic History of Flight

picks Of the week 2 Room of the Week Tasmia Anika Azim 3 Doodle of the Week Sabrina Fatma Ahmad 10 Guitar Tabs of the Week

Horoscope 5 Your Forecast Fashion 4 Wardrobe check Label diggers 4 Beauty check Overdone makeup

Icon’s Oporanho Part 2

Email: tmag@dhakatribune.com, Website: www.dhakatribune.com

11 App of the week Common Sense

6 Hot Topic Civic offenders

Your world 5 Car talk Driving 101 9 Fiction From one lover to another 9 Comic Book Batman: The Black Mirror 9 Book Some Kind of Fairy Tale 10 Album Shironamhin 10 Instrument Hang drum 11 Movie Man of Steel

5 Look of the Week

8 Written in the Stars

10 Spotlight

Inter season style

A sport fanatics vision

The circus is in town

TMAG’s says 2 Funk up Your Room Messy rooms 2 FYI Netiquette 3 School Survival Autistic children 10 Playlist Top 10 ticked off tunes Real Life 3 Event Tweet 1 Degree Initiative 9 Nonfiction Under the neighbour’s radar 12 He says She says

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Your Life

FYI

Funk up your room

Messy not Messi

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Even on the Internet, there’s a right, a wrong, and a very wrong way to behave. Here are a few examples of what is probably annoying your friends online Incessant game invites

“Haven’t spoken to you in months!

Years! Ever? No problem. Come play this great new game that I found. I’ll keep sending you invites till you start playing!” – don’t we all have one of these friends on our list? And no matter how many times you block their game requests, the new games just keep coming!

Food pictures

We’ve seen the delicious pasta from dinner last night, and the scrumptious burger from lunch this afternoon, and the delightful evening Crème Brule. A good picture is all right once in a while, but these foodies must stop forcefeeding pictures to their friends!

The hash-tag monstrosity

#Fun #goodtimes #drivingmecrazy #peopleneedtostop #spaceisgood #needisaymore.

The ghost tag

You are nowhere in that picture of the beach or the sunset, and you’re definitely not eating that sandwich.

Nor are you hanging by the “H” of the “Happy New Year” picture. Yet, you have been tagged.

The cryptic status updates

“You won’t BELIEVE what happened to me today … but I don’t want to talk about it.” They say. On a facebook status.

This one is very annoying yes, but let’s just all be nice and remember that even though it’s up as a status, more often than not, it’s actually meant for one person. Sadly, that one person is just too clueless to figure it out!

The singing statuses

A good poem or song lyrics is appreciated every now and then, but taking random lyrics (despite how good they are) out of context and dropping

TMAG’s Room of the week!

Send in a picture of your room to tmag@dhakatribune.com and you may be crowned TMAG’s room of the week!

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them into a Facebook status will not do anyone any good.

The YouTube wars

But it’s not just restricted to social networking, is it? There’s YouTube as well. Ah, the crude language, the pointless arguments which have nothing to do with the video. These commenters need to realize that there is such a thing as difference of opinion, and that swearing their heart out isn’t going to make their opinion correct.But what’s funny about people on the Internet is that sometimes, it doesn’t reflect their real personality. That girl who is witty and charming in person, might just have an internet personality that cant go beyond “ OMG” and “LOL.” So don’t be quick to judge, the Facebook personality might not be the real one. Bottom line: get off the computer, and get out more! Turn the netiquette into real life etiquette. Afshan Sattar

Name

tasmia anika azim Area

Gulshan Fuschia sheers, satin bows and a four-poster bed. A room can look regal with minimal doo-dahs, and we love the simplicity in this fancy pad.

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If you’re the owner of a huge chaotic room; please note the following three words: clutter, dirt and hygiene issues.These will probably start hounding you soon enough. Moreover, it can be a big hassle looking for valuables, documents etc. Instead of being perpetually scared of not being able to find things easily, why not start providing each important piece more space than usual? Many feel that keeping a room tidy is a tedious job. Luckily it doesn’t have to be. Go through the steps below and figure out how to get your dream room in reality!

An initial and key element for every decoration tutorial is dividing the space into functional sections.

After that, make up your mind about which part is to be used for what purpose. You can start with books; place them on a shelf in an orderly fashion. Keep them haphazard, and you risk making your room look like the newest cyclone victim.

Half opened doors and one third windows playing hide and seek behind furniture can make your room look cluttered. Try to keep these places visible, it creates a smoother look.

Keep in mind that you have to organise everything. It would be a good decision to start from the top down. Cleaning out drawers, desk space and the closet should be the first priority. Girls, place your scattered jewellery in pottery bowls or boxes on a vanity table. And boys, keep sensitive gadgets in a huge leaf or plastic basket in any corner of your room. Music lovers, don’t put your guitar and DVD’s just anywhere in the room, have a separate cornerIt shows responsibility and respect towards your passion.

Colour of the walls? Totally up to you guys. Choose whatever colour you like but don’t forget to keep a dustbin in the room. It actually helps to keep your room clean and rids you of unimportant stuff. Remember to have the bin emptied out every day!

Saudia Afrin

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Schoologistics

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School Survival

Special Sense

Sabrina fatma ahmad doodled this during a meeting

TMAG’s Doodle of the week!

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“If their disability is all you see, who is disabled? You or them?” We see people around us who are intolerant towards even the most trivial mess ups. Imagine having to deal with assorted levels of autism where the autistic one doesn’t need special homes or schools but can function in normalised environments like your own school. Autism can take place in the form of basic autistic disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome where children have the same problems as with autistic disorder but without linguistic disabilities, Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) or atypical autism where one has some autistic conditions but does not fall into a specific category and Rett syndrome which occurs in girls only where they may lose some or most of their communication and social skills over time. All these forms of autism vary in degrees where some people need to be nurtured separately and others can function, with some level of difficulty, in normal environments.

TMAG spoke to people associated with autism on a personal and professional level and got some precious words on how people behave with these suffering souls and how they should.

“I am always caught up with something, obsessed with something that holds my interest and I display total lack of attention for stuff I don’t like. I can ignore my work and my other responsibilities if something as trivial as a computer game catches my attention.

It’s just who I am.” We talked to a very sporty teen who is diagnosed with a mild case of autism. Not very surprisingly, as most patients with this condition, he is all for creative fields like performing arts and magic tricks. Feeding this creative process is therapeutic to autistic people and supressing such tendencies can adversely affect their psyche. He confides that not many people realise the importance of letting out this creative spark but wishes they did. He recalls being a slow student at school and the school had no idea how to deal with his condition so sufficed by saying, the kid wasn’t quite reaching up to his full

potential, despite having a brilliant mind otherwise. Even now, he has trouble making decisions and loses track of simple things. “Counselling helps. I have not been through it myself but at times I feel I need it.”

A parent with an autistic teenage kid relates that she feels no exhaustion dealing with her special child. However, she confides that her child has no friends in school whatsoever. She has even resorted to bribing his classmates with food and gifts in order to get them on her child’s friend list. This single mother has been gutsy enough to enroll her adolescent in a renowned school of this city, taught him singing and writing and the teen has even published a book under his name. Call it overcompensation for a normal life, but kudos to this mother for her unconditional efforts!

Aaqib Hossain has been teaching English in the Autistic Welfare Foundation in Mirpur, intermittently for three month stretches in a span of a 2 year period. He has also taught in renowned schools over the city as a debate coach where he has dealt with teens with autism on the lower end of the spectrum. He has dealt with parents who do not play the sympathy card and are sensible people who try to normalise life for their kids as much as possible. For kids in normal schools, he says, “Children are crueller than adults and have a lower tolerance for stupidity.

As semi-autistic kids are generally slow, they usually bear the brunt of class bullying.” Normal kids however, do not do this out of spite for their disability as they do not really know that they even have a disability in the first place. Similarly, kids who help their slower friends do this out of the goodness of their hearts and not due to sympathy. On asking how one should deal with these special friends, he advises, “These kids are low on social interaction and somewhat loners so don’t surprise them- no quick physical movements either. People with some experience in dealing with these kids adopt a gentle and cautious manner with them.” munira fidai

If you are a classroom doodler, email your doodle to tmag@dhakatribune. com and see it in our weekly!

EVENT Tweet

SMILE PLEASE! It is not every day that we get a chance to give something back. However, One Degree Initiative Foundation, created a flagship project; 100 Smiles. Every year thousands of volunteers apply and are trained in workshops for this event before Eid-Ul-Fitr. Their sole motive? Sharing the joys of Eid with underprivileged children by means of spending time with them and giving them gifts and applying henna or painting their faces. This tradition goes on since 2010; it was held this year on August 6, in places such as Gulshan, Dhanmondi and Uttara, with each area allocated a specific incharge. Alongside the event, a survey

was conducted collecting information about the family backgrounds of these children and their family situation. This survey is conducted for planning future development projects. The Foundation’s ultimate goal is to create a permanent, pervasive impact on society. While the event lasts for a day, the impacts last longer than one can imagine.

Rifat Binte Haider

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4 tmag Wardrobe Check

Label Diggers are People too!

Label diggers are people too- just not the most easy ones to tolerate. By “label diggers”, we mean people who love buying and flaunting branded items to get people to notice them and/or put themselves in a certain income bracket. While they may be expecting a tad bit too much from us lesser mortals, we stand wondering why and how they are that much cooler.

Going by definition A label digger is a person who, according to Urban Dictionary 2010, someone who only wears brand name clothes, with the name of the brand usually placed somewhere for all to see. A walking advertisement for a clothing store or brand. The idea is pretty self explanatory.

The guy who wears his shirt unbuttoned so you can see his YSL label underneath, the girl who brings out her MAC lip gloss every other minute- if you see someone wearing too many brands and having no problem keeping them visual, you know what you have just seen!

FASHION FACE-OFF Beauty Check

Too, too, too much!

Too much of anything is bad- this age old piece of advice is more potent than we give it credit for. While there are people to whom moderation is an alien concept, they sadly become an eyesore for those who cannot take too much brightness. Read stark whitish foundation, sticky hot pink lips, astonishing amounts of bronzer ... that’s what we call intervention level stuff! Let’s save others some misery folks and learn how and when NOT to go for the extreme end of the spectrum. Young skin looks great without makeup. If you must splurge, choose a foundation, or base, or compact that is closest to your skin colour. Many make the mistake of choosing a shade that is too many shades lighter in order to look fair. Remember, rubbing gunk on your face never helps you look fairer, only exaggeratedly white. Use your base for what it’s supposed to do- smoothen out uneven skin tone and hide basic flaws like shadows under the eyes, etc. When wearing too much jewellery, avoid slapping on too much makeup. Its one thing to

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look dressed up, it’s quite another to look artificial. As one does the job as well as another, doing both jewellery and makeup can be overkill. Choose between the glop and the baubles and you’re set! When you need to look your age, avoid heavy makeup.

Keeping close to natural makes all the difference in the world to adults, when they need to shed years. For

Look of the Week

Misfit, much?

A lot of people who come across as brand or label lovers may actually be highly insecure teens who have found this to be a way of channelling out negative vibes to people, almost by daring them to “achieve” what they have “achieved”, by wearing and flashing big brand names at every possible occasion. It’s okay to leave such people in their material nirvana.

“Can you pass me my RayBans?”

This seems to be the best way to recognise label diggers. They drop names when needed and when not needed. Subtlety is ... ? Oh, another characteristic common to all label diggers is, they seem to have the prices of their brands verbatim!

You may often hear them scream at a waiter for spilling water on their “$500” Levi’s.

Blinded by brands Fashionable people may love brands but they also realise that not everything with a big brand label suits everyone. Brand designers can sometimes make over the top or tacky looking items that only suit people who have some serious “carry it off” genes. Label diggers are oblivious to such problems. As long as there is a label, all is well with their wardrobe.

Munira fidai

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Orange

Crush When we’re transitioning between summer and monsoon, a bright tee and fun shorts with slippers is the best outfit for lounging at home.

It’s breezy and comfortable, and the bold colour will brighten up a dull, cloudy day Model Md Faisal Photographer Homayra Adiba Wardrobe Toxic Vein

TMAG’s Room of the week!

us teens, age is something to flaunt!

Too much makeup can make you look tacky and out of place. Learning how to look naturally pretty in less than ten minutes is an art to master.

The whole point of wearing makeup is to look like you don’t need to wear any. Use it likewise. Face painting is a thing but let’s not get carried away! munira fidai

tmag 5

Street Car Talk

Driving 101 When we’re out on the streets in our cars, we tend to rule the road with our emotions rather than our common sense. Experts and everyday drivers constantly remind us of the importance of common sense rules of the road that we should be using at all times.

One of the reasons why road rage is quite common in Bangladesh is because the drivers have a lack of respect for other drivers on the road.

If you know that the lanes will merge together eventually and yet try to beat the other driver to it, don’t expect to be greeted with a smile and a wave when you cut them off.

lane to be in. For example, if you find yourself in a situation where you need to change lanes quickly you have two options to choose from, either the left lane or the right lane.

Caution lights Make sure you have fully functional break lights, turn signals and headlights, and after you are sure they work, use them. Keep in mind that these features are put there for a purpose and should be utilised for the safety of others around you. One thing you should keep in mind is the emergency indicator; it’s there to be used in case of an emergency only

Aries (Mar 21-Apr 19) Being organised helps diminish excuses and this could be a great way to kick start your week. You could start by killing the clutter in your room. Get it done, and then sit down to finish projects or assignments you have been stalling for ages.

Taurus (Apr 20-May 20) It may not feel like rainbows and butterflies, at the beginning of the week. Don’t sweat it; you’ll get past this! You’ll get off on the wrong foot with people for being aloof and snooty; better curb that attitude before people start giving you the stink eye.

Gemini (May 21-Jun20) If someone lets you in on a secret, it would be best if you could keep it that way- a secret. Relying on gut feelings this week will actually bode well for you; quit second guessing yourself.

Follow your intuitions, you can’t go wrong!

Libra (Sep 23- Oct 22) Your sense of responsibility shines through this week; so much that you become the go-to person for those around you. Future dreams aren’t always ridiculous, pay attention to them; you might be able to bring them to reality.

Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21)

All your efforts will be futile if you don’t have an aim. If you get tangled into an issue between friends, it’s best to stay neutral; picking sides never did anyone good. If both of them are troubled, spend some time with them.

They might need it.

Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21)

You might want to get your priorities straight; you wouldn’t want to mess things up right when people start counting on you. Better stop slacking, or else people will rid you off their good books.

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Stick to the lane Then again, if you are on a busy road and don’t have the intention on going too fast, please find the farthest left lane possible to allow everyone else to pass by. This definitely goes for driving on the highways and inner city streets. If you don’t want to get creamed on your Friday afternoon drive, stay to the left and you’ll be alright. Be polite to your fellow drivers, and they might return the favour.

Stop and go traffic For many of us living in Dhaka, rush hour is unavoidable. However if you plan to drive on one road for an extended amount of time, do yourself a favour and stick to the centre lane.

More than likely, the people on the right lane will take a right turn and vice versa for the people on the left.

By staying in the centre lane you avoid stopping frequently to allow others to turn. The centre lane is also the safest

and NOT for going straight. It’s better to let your fellow drivers know what you are planning to do.

Being safe Being a driver doesn’t mean that you don’t have to cross the roads.

Make sure you cross the street at a designated crosswalk. Be careful at intersections where drivers might fail to give way to pedestrians while turning onto another street.

Remember, it is always better to cross the street when the traffic is at a halt and NOT in the middle of running traffic. It’s safest to walk on a sidewalk, but if you must walk on the street, walk facing traffic.

When you’re driving, it all comes down to common sense. It tells you to be considerate, cautious and drive safely. It is totally up to you whether or not to use it.

Tahsin Momin

Cancer (Jun 21-Jul 22) If you want to make an impression, you have to go out there and market your qualities; not only will people notice you, but they’ll also look for an opportunity to bump into you. Rising curiosity for something will turn you into a control freak; better quit while you can.

Leo (Jul 23-Aug 22) This week you could try relaxing; but don’t vegetate while you are at it. You can find comfort if you get involved with art. You may not master it right away but the fact that you made an effort to create and appreciate any form of art is worth a lot. Try it!

Virgo (Aug 23- Sep 22) If you aren’t a hundred percent sure about your ideas, you can let your mates in on them. Their reactions will help you figure out which ones to keep. Your charms will soon send an admirer your way.

Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19)

Paying off your debts will serve you well at the beginning of this week. If people are behaving weird with you, try seeing things from their point of view instead of throwing an attitude at them. If you are at fault, own up to your own mistakes.

Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18)

Focus on your own wants and needs this week, instead of pampering someone. If you continue the loving and giving more than necessary, people might start taking you for granted. If you don’t stop now, people might start expecting this out of you at all times.

Pisces (Feb 19-Mar20)

Go from good to great by bringing about changes to your routine. You could start by making visible changes to your wardrobe or maybe even get a haircut. Whatever it is, it will make heads turn; now isn’t that worth the hard work?

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HOT TOPIC

Uncommon Sense d’oh! Edition

Loud & Proud How to spot one

Your ears will find them without you At restaurants, they’re in that obnoxio that’s trying too hard to prove they’re a good time by guffawing at everyth hospital waiting room, or at the bank the phone, and you can hear them fr room. And in places where you’re req be quiet, like the library, or the exam movies, you can count on their loud, ringtones to go off.

Strengths

Telecom companies and aspirin manufacturers wou go bankrupt withou them

weaknesses

Life in Dhaka isn’t easy by a long shot. From heat to traffic to power-cuts to mosquitoes, the litany of complaints about living in this city is endless. But all of these pale in comparison to the problems created by the people here. Someone very wise once said “common sense ain’t so common.”

This is particularly applicable to civic sense.

A comprehensive list of violations is impossible, but here in random order, Sabrina Fatma Ahmad v catalogues some of the most common offenders TM AG TU ESDAY, AUGUST 1 3, 2013

Silence. It causes spontaneous combustion

The Freebie Vacuum How to spot one The moment you come within a five-mile radius of one, your wallet will empty out faster than a classroom at tiffin time. These guys are the ultimate freeloaders. Somehow they’re always broke, but still living it up ... at your expense.

Free samples at a product launch? They’re on it like flies on your summer mango. Those little complimentary toiletries they put in hotel rooms?

Gone in an eye-blink. The Freebie Vacuum can mooch like it’s going out of fashion.

Strengths

Super ... ahem, money-management skills

weaknesses Friends who insist on going Dutch

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HOT TOPIC

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Wreck it Rafi How to spot one

By the trail of destruction they leave in their wake. Not a desk or wall left un-scribbled-on.

Not a leather bus seat they haven’t picked at. These are the folks that will see a paper napkin lying around and proceed to make little pellets to scatter all over the floor. They’ll sit at a pristine table and turn it into a dump faster than you can say “vandalism.” You can’t even let them take a look at the book you’re reading without getting it back all dog-eared. bigstock

Strengths Each Wreck-it-Rafi is a oneperson demolition derby.

even trying. ous group e having hing. In a k, they’re on rom the next quired to hall, or the obnoxious

weaknesses Vandalism fines. Not that we have them here, but one can only dream, right?

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How to spot one

These folks apparently have so much personality, their bodies can’t contain it. You’ll find them squatting by the roadsides, spewing from buses, hawking and spitting as they take a stroll down the streets. And sometimes, even when they look like they’re not doing anything, enter the room, take a breath, and you can tell what they had for lunch. We leave the rest to your imagination.

Strengths Can clear up a room faster than a bomb threat

weaknesses Clean surfaces

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uld ut

Tahsin momin

The Inty Mate How to spot one You’ll feel their breath on your neck in a queue.

You’ll feel their body hair, or worse, certain body parts bristling against your skin on a crowded bus. You’ll probably hear their stomach rumbling as they lean over you when you’re sitting at your desk. You get the idea.

Strengths Useful in a place with a high population density

weaknesses Personal space?

That’s a thing?

These are a few of TMAG’s “favourites” Got a civic-sense challenged stereotype we missed?

Write in at tmag@dhakatribune.com and share your discovery!

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written in the Stars

The Rise and fall of

The Bench

Efaz R Khan, initiator and owner of Bangladesh’s first sports cafe needs little introduction. Popularly known as Dhrubo amongst the sports fanatics and concert enthusiasts, he brings to the table many new ideas in his cafe for teenagers. Saudia Afrin takes a trip back down memory lane with this multi-tasker

N

o doubt, our city has lots of restaurants to associate with and eat at. However, when it comes to the youth population, our city has very little to offer. It’s not that there’s a lack of places to go to, it’s the activities that such places lack in providing. However, for a short period of time, this did change.

If you were in Dhaka over the last two years, you had to have dropped in at The Bench. During its brief lifespan, this little sports cafe firmly established itself as THE hangout for the young, and although its tenure was short, it still remains a talking point for many teens that’ve been around at that time. Here’s how the story began.

In 2004, Dhrubo was on a Bangkok tour with friends. As a sports fanatic, he found himself wandering alone into a sports bar to watch a game, and instantly fell in love with the concept of a sports cafe. The idea for The Bench was formed.

Over the next six years, the groundwork was laid. The young entrepreneur was still finishing up undergrads, so the biggest hurdle was to get people to take him seriously enough to back him, but slowly, and surely, he managed to win over prospective partners, find a place, jump the hurdles, and Dhaka’s first sports cafe was born on February 25, 2010.

With such young partners running the show, the story could have been very different, had it not been for the FIFA World Cup 2010 which began

“

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within 3 months of the launch. The match screenings and football-oriented events brought in 5-600 people into the place every night for the duration of the tournament, firmly cementing the Bench in the psyche of the city’s sport fanatics.

The ICC Cricket World Cup followed shortly, helping maintain the popularity.

“The feeling was simply out of the world,” Dhrubo reminisces.

At the beginning, The Bench held a very pub-like look. There were murals of legendary players and teams in every room of the cafe, and an open space in front to accommodate for live events such as concerts and other live programmes. As the popularity of the venue took off, they were emboldened to expand their accommodations and revamp the space. The new look was more polished than the cosy pub look.

With the expansion came the addition of a jamming pad, and Incursion @ The Bench was launched.

Apart from the cafe being a regular hub for concerts and “grill nights”, The Bench was also a home for local gaming fanatics. The cafe didn’t just offer food and live match viewings, it offered gaming activities such as Table Tennis and console gaming and at one point, The Bench became THE hotspot for live gaming events and tournaments.

The Bench also played host to Dhaka Comicon, Bangladesh’s very first comiccon event. The cafe’s outdoor space lent room for the rehearsal sessions of

Dhaka’s first ever flash mob dance, the YouTube de-banning protest, which took the city by a loud bang. Adding to the cafe’s memorable events, the Euro 2012 match nights were definitely some of the best times for the Bench crowd; pre-match live concerts, delicious food and a lively crowd of music and football fanatics, roaring and jeering through the night- couldn’t get any better than that!

However, it was in 2012, only two years after its inception, and quite possibly at the peak of its success, that the Bench owners’ decided to call it quits for a number of reasons. Needless to say, many hearts were broken.

In response to the repeated requests to re-open the cafe, and questions about the future, all Dhrubo has to say is that another such venture isn’t completely off the books yet, and when it does happen, it will be branded very differently. “As much as I want to say, at this very moment I can’t. Some things are better left as a mystery!! But I can promise that it’ll stay true to its original feel and vision with a few new value additions.”

Even though The Bench was around for only a brief period of time, it still made quite a major impact in Dhaka’s youth scene. It wasn’t just a cafe, it was a youth hub. It was the place to be.

Dhrubo’s vision of creating that perfect sports cafe for Dhaka’s recreational scene came alive with The Bench, and this place will always have a place in the hearts of many.

dhrubo at a glance • Dhrubo hates backstabbers!

• Till he was in grade 4, he was fascinated by the Army and dreamt of enrolling one day • He always had a knack for interior designing and during his time at college, he wanted to study architecture • He has a case of Aqua phobia. He could never learn swimming because of his fear of water • Showers and salons frighten him • He’s terrified of getting his photo taken • Dhrubo is very precise about his trust issues. Either he’ll fully trust someone, or not all. No middle ground regarding this one • He can’t do without at least one meal that includes rice in his everyday diet • He still loves The Bench’s initial pub-like look more than the latter one • Dhrubo enjoys the company of people with a good sense of humour • When he panics, he locks himself up in his room, only to make fun of himself the next day

Back in 2010 The Bench was a regular spot for me and my friends. We wouldn’t go there just to eat something; the place was comfortable for chitchats as well.

There was a time when it looked like a simple cafe, but when they revamped the entire place it looked so much better - Nayeem Khan

photos: Courtesy

TM AG TU ESDAY, AUGUST 1 3, 2013

tmag 9

Fiction

YOU WRITE IT

From one lover to another

NON-Fiction

He stood still, unable to register what was in front of him. He had forgiven her the first time but she had taken the wrong turn once again and this time, he wasn’t going to let her go scott-free. He covered his face with his hands wishing to turn back time and not witness her lover’s email smirking at him through the screen. As usual, she had left her account open on his laptop. He wasn’t the prying type, but a subject “You are all I want” was sure to have his antenna up and running.

His fingers shivered. He didn’t want to face the same stunt all over again.

He hoped it would be an old friend, a chain mail, or even a viral message.

Unfortunately, the Gods weren’t on his side. It was her lover, the same guy

bigstock

because of whom they had almost tore apart. His eyes unwillingly grazed the first few lines and he stopped, unable to take it anymore. He turned the laptop away, calm as ever- a lull before the storm. She glided to his room, pristine and beautiful as ever and hugged him whispering “I love you.” For a moment, he thought it was all a dream as he held her back and guilt washed over him from having such miserable thoughts. Suddenly, realizing what was happening, he tore away from

her embrace, and put the laptop in front of her. She became hysterical, crying her eyes out, and he pulled away from her and with much difficulty, silently walked away.

She fell on the ground, her tears now a whimper when she suddenly felt the warm embrace of his hands on her, and she inhaled the scent of him and thought, finally, everything will be okay. She saw his gorgeous face and whispered “He’s gone; now we have nothing to worry about.” natasha rahman

Under the neighbour’s radar Living in a crowded urban city, you are most probably a breathing source of live entertainment for the next door neighbour. These species come in all walks of life but here we have the “auntie brigade’’ unleashed on your life and eventually your sanity!

The gossip queen Married for over a decade, with kids gone abroad for studies and the husband always ‘at work’, Mrs Jhilik’s life revolves around Maya’s clothes, her friends, and even the home appliances she buys. Quietly, walking up the stairs, Maya tiptoes her way to her floor and tries to unlock her door with the keys. Suddenly, the door

comic Book

book

behind her opens and out comes Jhilik auntie. She gives Maya the “I-caughtyou-red-handed” smile and looks at her watch and goes “Past midnight. Late night studying?” Maya smiles sheepishly and agrees. Before Jhilik aunty can pester her further, she walks into the house and closes the door. Although she knows, that tomorrow her short dress and her stumbling walk of shame at midnight shall reflect in the eyes of the guards, the smirks of the drivers and in the whispers of the rest of the building.

The silent creeper Dolly aunty lives next to Yusuf’s apartment. She avoids invitations and conversations with his family, but Yusuf

feels her penetrating gaze every time he steps out of the house.

One day, with his female buddies over at his place, he hears the bell to find Dolly auntie’s 5 year old son asking for the ball that ‘accidentally’ fell in Yusuf’s balcony. His friends keep shut in his room as Yusuf allows the intruder to walk in and gaze around the house while he gets the ball and shoos him away.

Finally, he has won over his neighbours predatory skills. He decides to walks his friends out of the back door.

Suddenly, Yusuf looks up and sees Dolly auntie’s creepy smile staring down at him and closing the blinds. And, once again Dolly aunty scores! natasha rahman

Battling Darkness One of the top writers in the business right now, Scott Snyder’s overarching tale about Gotham City and how the city’s seedy nature and inherent corruptness can destroy even the purest of souls is a gripping tale, as the few good guys of Gotham try their best to ward off the darkness that the city possesses.

We get into a look at the lives of several of Gotham’s heroes, the tale of Dick Grayson(the former Robin and the new Batman) adapting to the new villains awaiting him on the streets of Gotham and Commissioner Gordon’s past coming back to haunt him eventually tie together and lead to a tale of horrific suspense.

Jock and Francesco Francavilla work together on the illustrations of the story. The two artists feature immensely

diverse styles, yet the book gels, mostly due to how fitting each style is for the installments they are drawing. Jock’s dark, focused style is the perfect complement for exploring the streets of Gotham.

Meanwhile, Francavilla’s work on the Gordon chapters is more refined with a heavy focus on colors and atmosphere.

It’s more simplistic and humane nature allows readers to connect with the aging commissioner as he comes to grips with personal demons.

It’s the ideal coming of age story for Dick Grayson as Batman and this thrilling tale packed with character development and iconic artwork will be a Batman tale that will go down in comic folklore – an absolute must read. Fardeen Ameen

Kidnapped by a fairy If you ask me about the top 10 books to read this year, Some Kind of Fairy Tale by Graham Joyce would be somewhere at the top and lover of Neil Gaiman’s world would definitely get a kick out of this. It’s very English. There’s family and fairies too. Twenty years ago, 16 years old Tara Martin disappeared from her small town. Now, on a Christmas morning, she’s back.

Time had been kind to her – she hadn’t aged a day! Subjected to a battery of tests, Tara remains adamant – she had been abducted by a fairy and time had passed very differently to her.

Tara, in her world, had been gone for only six months! The story, told from different points of view, focuses on the changes Tara brings – her gift to those around her; including the boyfriend she had left behind who was accused of her disappearance, the guilt wracked brother with his own family and her parents who are in denial. Tara shares her story with her psychiatrist Vivian Underwood; one of the few to know it. The past isn’t in question for Tara though, it’s her future that remains uncertain. Rich with folklore, tinged with fairy tale and with a family story at heart, Some Kind of Fairytale should not be missed. It’s incredible and one for your collection! nabeela m.

TM AG TU E SDAY, AU G U ST 1 3 , 20 1 3

10 tmag Guitar Tabs

turntable

This week’s best

Tab Part 2 of 3

Artist – Icons Song – Oporanho

spotlight

Tuning – D#,G#,C#,F#,A#,D# (half step down)

Intro (Repeat 4 times) e |------------------------------------------------------| B |------------------------------------------------------| G |------------------------------------------------------| D |----9--7---9--7----9------9--7----9----7--9-----| A |------------------------------------7----7-----------| E |--7------7-------7-------0--------------------------|

Solo 1 keys: (v) – vibrate; h – hammer on; / - slide e |----------------------|----------------------| B |--7h8-7------------|--7h8-7-------------| G |---------9-7(v)-7--|----------9-2/4-4--| D |----------------------|----------------------| A |----------------------|----------------------| E |----------------------|----------------------| e |----------------------|----------------------| B |--7h8-7------------|----------------------| G |---------9-7(v)-7--|-7-7-7-9-9-6-7-4-| D |----------------------|----------------------| A |----------------------|----------------------| E |----------------------|----------------------|

The Enforcers of Funk!

Groove, funk and attitude - the three proper words to define the four policemen at their finest. With their upbeat and intense musical compositions, and their ecstatic live performances, Circus Police is

Instrument

Check next week’s TMAG for the second solo

TOP Ticked

10 off Tunes 1. Institutionalized Suicidal Tendencies 2. Come as you are Nirvana 3. Harder than you think Public Enemy 4. No wrong no right Terrance Martin Music 5. Cold Shift Fort Knox Five 6. Creep Scala & Kolacny Brothers 7. Sick The Twilight Sad 8. Release Jerome Faria 9. Nevergreen Emancipator 10. Broken Drum Beck

TM AG TU ESDAY, AUGUST 1 3, 2013

Music Shironamhin With the launching of their beautiful collectible fifth studio album under Siren (a label under Incursion Music), Shironamhin has declared to the world, with their self-titled album, that the quiet musical giants are here to stay.

They had for their fans, arranged a little surprise too, the first 200 buyers to receive a gift package

definitely one of the best and most popular newcomers in the present underground music scene. Featuring the fast paced funky vocals and the lyrical genius that Zaki Adnan is, along with Tanjib Chowdhury’s perfect sense of simple driven rock’n’roll and powerhouse riffs, with Efaz R Khan’s groovy and rhythmic bass patterns and Zulyad Islam’s intense and powerful drum beats, Circus Police is an absolute blend of the perfect musical combinations.

Formed back in 2009, Circus Police has gone through quite some changes in the lineup up until 2012. The band was initially formed by Zulyad and Adnan, along with former members, Anik, Zaved and Khaled.

After a while, the lineup fell apart and a massive change in structure led to Tanjib taking on the position of the single guitarist in the band, which ultimately shaped the band’s sound to a more raw tone. After going through a series of featuring several bassists who somehow never quite gelled

with the band because of individual factors, Circus Police found the final piece of their four man quartet lineup when Efaz, more commonly known as Dhrubo, joined as the bassist last year.

The band has also featured Bayezid Hasan (keyboards), Shabab Habib and Farazi Ghani (guitars), Ishrak Imroze (tambourine), Farihah Naz and Maisha Aniqa (vocals), and Dio Hoque (drums) as additional guest members for several live performances. With the release of two superb singles, “Porjobekkhok” in Aashor and “Onushoron” in Play it Now, Circus Police has gained immense appreciation from the music scene for their unique groove driven sound. As stated by the band’s front-man Adnan, the Policemen are currently working on their debut album and are also planning for a radio release of an original number, “Thank you for not smoking” in the upcoming months. Azfar Rahman

The Hang Drum Like so many other unconventional drummers or percussion players, many of us have an incurable tendency to spend an awful amount of time researching new, innovative and “out of this world” percussion instruments. It is proven that there are over 50 different percussion instruments that are being constantly used by musicians around the world.

One of these is the “Hang” – otherwise known as the “hang drum.” It is a very unique and quirky instrument and its shape will make you fall in love with it, especially for people with an overwhelming fascination for aliens and UFO’s. It is designed to be in the shape of a UFO and what’s even more amazing is the sound it creates which is not at all like any percussion instrument. One could say, the sound of the hang drum is designed to be almost “alienated” from its other percussion family members.

The hang drum is designed by two people- Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer who combined their study of music,

knowledge and culture together to create an instrument from scratch which is oh so complex from the structural and acoustical point of view. And the result is fusion.

It is a fusion of various instruments, from different parts of the world.

Influenced by instruments mainly from South Asia and Thailand, the hang drum unlike other percussion instruments, has melody. It is designed in such a way that a player can compose music with it, simply and instinctively, with just their hands. It is so smooth and evocative that depending on the player’s style, they can create a virtually infinite array of musical shades. Each of the several “boules” on the top side of the drum, allows one to generate a different sound and with it up to 45 different scales can be achieved.

It is a very interesting and exceptional instrument and TMAG strongly urges any musician to look it up on YouTube if you aren’t already aware of it.

comprising of guitar picks, booklets with lyrics of the songs, stories behind the lyrics and other stories of the band. The velvet-lined package has been designed by the band itself. The album comprises of ten tracks – Abar Hashimukh, Brishti Kabbo, Kicchu Kotha, Pori, Rod Canvas, Shonshon jodio Kashbon, Ahotto Kicchu Golpo, Michil, Attotito and the bonus track Chitti. Lyrically, the band is at its strongest– keeping in mind that Shironamhin had been one of the most musically and lyrically tight bands over the years - that is saying quite a lot. Abar Hashimukh is the sequel to their cult classic Hashimukh and it’s as haunting as its predecessor had

been. Brishtikabbo, inspired by Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver is an ode to the city, and Rod Canvas is a song redolent with old memories and a track line that has you reaching for the phone to call old friends before you know it. The bonus track Chitti which had been used

by UNDP as their official Campaign song in 2009 – an anthemic number meant to reach out and be the voice for those in need, and Shironamhin, not surprisingly nailed it. The album took its time being released but it is an album worth its weight in sleepless nights and reminiscences. Buy it. There should be no regrets there.

Nabeela M.

Zulyadain Islam

tmag 11

playroom

WE RECOMMEND Movie

Superman Re-energised!

Zack Snyder and Christopher Nolan re-imagine DC Comic’s invulnerable power house in an all new darker form. While the trailer looked epic, the movie itself unfortunately did not live up to the hype. “Man of Steel” had an impressive cast with Russel Crowe, Henry Cavill and Michael Shannon playing their characters perfectly. The special effects and the fight scenes were nearly impeccable, making the movie a true feast for the eyes. The story too is gripping, an origin story portrayed

tv

quite well (no spiders!). What lets the movie down is the translation, the inconsistencies and lack of flow; moving backwards and forwards to different parts of the story’s timeline.

The other let down is the portrayal of the main characters. While trying to make Superman more human, he loses the distinction of being humanity’s guiding compass. Let’s just hope Superman 2 will be to Man of Steel what the Dark Knight was to Batman Begins. rifat binte haider

high school cliché If you are into the dramatic stories of the classy high school cliques, add to that a pinch of mystery and thriller, and Pretty Little Liars is the right choice for you. In the fictional town of Rosewood, Pennsylvania, four girlsSpencer Hastings, Hanna Marin, Emily Fields and Aria Montgomery regret their luck, as their popular high school clique breaks apart due to the sudden disappearance of their leader , Alison DiLaurentis. All four of them have deep, dark secrets which they have been guarding for years. The pretty faces,

Game

app of the week

successfully hide their “little fibs” from the outside world but when after a year, a mysterious stalker by the name “A” threatens the girls to expose their secrets to everyone, the girls stumble upon Alison’s dead body and realize that their secrets are no longer safe, and nor are their lives. Already picked up for a fifth season, this show has an average rating of 3.5/5 and anyone who missed the previous seasons, can definitely catch up with their current airs in Zee Studio. sama e deen

battle arena reloaded Consequent to being in the beta-phase for two years, this game accrued a monthly user base of over 3 million users spanning just the beta period. On July 9 the sequel to the much anticipated and ever popular “Defense of the Ancient” (DOTA) game, “DOTA 2,” developed by Valve Software was launched worldwide.

TMAG reviews this “ancient” [pun intended] yet new game.

For those unacquainted DOTA 2 is an online game falling under the genre of Multiplayer Online Battle Arena – MOBA for short. The game features a 5vs5 battle on a singular map divided by a river in the middle. The battle takes place between two factions, “The Dire” and “The Radiant,” placed on either side of the river. Players have the option of choosing their characters, referred to as “Heroes” in-game and they belong to either faction. The “Heroes” fulfill various roles to form a team of five in-game

and strategically battle it out till either side destroys their opponent’s “Ancient.”

In addition, the game boasts a large collection of servers spread across various continents, absolutely beautiful and breathtaking graphics, along with tutorials to induct new players into this game.

If you are a fan of flashy powers, very colourful particles, beautifully designed “Heroes” and intense team fights, then you are definitely in for a treat.

However, it is a well-known notion that both DOTA and DOTA 2 have a very steep learning curve despite the abundance of the tutorials in-game. In comparison to its competitor “League of Legends,” which is also a MOBA, DOTA 2 has a very marked emphasis on teamwork.

Fuad M Hossain

Common Sense Test Price Free Platform Android/iOS Size 188K Common sense is all about making smart choices. We all have common sense but just don’t use it as well as we should. Common Sense judgment is made based on things that are common knowledge and recognised facts. Usually referred to as universal truths, you might not learn what represents common sense and how to use it If you do not have regular social interaction. This is why very smart people with high IQs tend to ignore common sense. This test will gives you a measurement of your common sense ability. Tahsin Momin

web critic

looking back The collaboration between Nike and Michael Jordon is an old and fruitful one. With their Air Jordans kicking off way back in 1985, the partnership spanned more than 2 decades, during which the shoe evolved, even as MJ’s career took different turns. In 2010, Nike decided to commemorate this long-standing and mutually beneficial relationship with a web promo titled Jordan: History of flight.

This interactive slideshow evokes a sense of nostalgia with cardboard pop-up style images, depicting the evolution of the Air Jordans over the years. As you mouse over the figures, you get photos, videos, and trivia, not just about the design and concept of the shoe, but various moments in sporting history, and Jordan’s career after basketball. Spanning from 1985 to 2009 that’s a LOT of history.

Whether you’re a basketball buff, or a fan of these sporty kicks, or just enjoy interactive slideshows in general, this is a nice little virtual flipbook to click through while you’re waiting for iftar.

The Jordan: History of Flight won the 2010 Webby Award for best Visual Design. Check it out at http://www. nike.com/jumpman23/historyofflight/ Sabrina Fatma Ahmad

TM AG TU E SDAY, AU G U ST 1 3 , 20 1 3

12 tmag

TEENARAMA

1

He says

She says

After the honeymoon phase is over, couples usually become a little too comfortable with each other. Their closeted barbaric side comes out, the makeup starts dripping and the clothes get shabbier. TMAG brings to you 3 situations of how couples feel when their significant others turn into uncouth fools

The problem of eating off your partner’s plate

He says I hate it when my girlfriend eats food off my plate. I tell her to order whatever she wants so she’ll be busy with her own food.

But it doesn’t matter if she’s eating for two, she will still cut into my steak, or grab my fries.

sHe says On my first date, I barely ate. I didn’t want to scare my guy off with my overwhelming appetite. But now that we are together for over 8 months, I eat a lot. I have a bad feeling that he gets miffed when I eat his food. But aren’t couples supposed to be sharing?

The problem of dressing shabbily for your partner

After taking a shower I wrapped myself around in a towel, I was about to go to my mother’s room when I realised that there was a guy sitting in the living room.

Blush Much?

2

I was sitting behind my fat friend and kicking his chair, so that it topples over but instead I lost balance and fell off mine.

3

I was running up and down the stairs with my brother. I slipped and fell on my butt.

4

I slipped while trying out this dance move in the shower.

5

I slipped on a football while dribbling.

6

I had a fight with my boyfriend, tried to make a point by slamming the door on his face but ended up breaking my own finger.

7

I tried to do a block in my karate class and ended up punching myself in the face.

8

I was supposed to pay Tk20,000 for my undergrad courses and ended up counting 10 Tk500 notes thinking it was Tk20,000 and was corrected by the registrar and took an extra day to fix my math disability.

Email your confession today to tmag@dhakatribune.com

He says If it’s the first time I am meeting a girl, I would make an effort to look good for her. But after a year, all that effort isn’t worth it. She should love me in my pyjamas.

Dear Diary, August 12, 2013

sHe says I totally get it when my guy meets me in a pair of shorts and an extra large jersey t-shirt. But a messy beard, body odour and filthy nails isn’t what I signed up for.

The problem of constantly being on the phone while with your boyfriend/girlfriend

He says I hate whatsapp. My girlfriend is addicted to it. Be it in the movies, her house, or even when she is crossing the road, she is constantly beeping away. Call me weird but I feel insecure to her iphone.

sHe says Since football can be played on the phone, my love life is doomed. He is always playing games on his phone and obsessing over the visuals of it. I don’t know how he prefers a virtual world of games when he has me live and available in front of him.

TM AG TU ESDAY, AUGUST 1 3, 2013

This is my first day of trial period with Imran. To tell you the truth, Imran has never been more appealing than he is now. There’s always something sinister about forbidden fruits. Right now Imran is the forbidden fruit to me. He put on his blazer, and used this fragrance that I loved and took me for a long, long drive. I remember, we would hardly ever have much to say to each other on our long drives but when he picked me up today, I felt like I was meeting a new and improved Imran that I never knew was there. He played my favourite tracks in the car and we talked the way two new lovers would. He didn’t want to tell me where we were going and the anticipation was driving me crazy. After a 45 minute drive, we stopped at an open field and I could see nothing but grassland. He got me out of the car and we walked ahead near a lake. Over there was a shamyana lit up with yellow fairy lights and a small boat waiting for us. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was covered in ethnic rugs and cosy cushions. A huge card with all our pictures were kept and my favourite song playing on the stereo.

Imran escorted me to the boat and I stared at him, longingly. He kept his distance, just letting my hands fall in his and my head drop on his shoulder. We laughed about old times, he professed his love for me and at the end of the night, gave me a pendant.

I couldn’t say no to him. It was too exquisite and it looked oh so gorgeous on me. Right now, I am trying hard to miss Sameer, but Imran has won over my heart. Let’s see what tomorrow brings for me…

THE DREAMER

If you want to share your awesome or not-so-awesome life events email it to us at tmag@dhakatribune.com