editorial
Praiseworthy successes in sectors like female education and women empowerment have led the path to our womenfolk contributing a commendable share to the development process of the country which can now aspire to become a middle-income nation. Then why do we still have to fear about our girls going out freely? Wandering by ourselves in the streets of Dhaka is no walk in the park when we know there may be danger lurking in the vicinity. Our natural response is to look away from the stares and ignore the cat calls, but “Am I being followed?” “Is my CNG going the right way?” and other such questions haunt us constantly and deep down our thoughts are always laced with fear. Even after our very own Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, Sufia Kamal and many others fighting lifelong battles for women’s freedom, we still have to ask, how safe are we? This month in Cover Focus, ICE informs you on how to get your fill of self-defence lessons and bring out the fearless warrior inside you. Be it kickboxing, martial arts or fencing, pick your favourite defence classes. Further down, we visit the journey of miracle baby Suraiya and how the team of paediatric surgeons of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital gave her a new lease on life. On a festive note, Eid ul Adha is back, and with that comes the influx of meat! On recipes, we have for you, classic English beef dishes that will wow your guests and pose as a refreshing change from the regular beef curry. Also, as part of this celebration, it is a great opportunity to put your loved ones on a pedestal. Flip to Word on the Street for a joyous surprise of goodie bag presents that your family will rave about for the rest of the year! To add to the bling, ace your glam game with our fashion portfolio. The festive fusion runs a gamut of outfits ranging from embellished sarees to neutral gowns and panjabis. So take your pick and turn heads with elan! Last but not least, go easy on the meat, and let the Eid vacation be a time to unwind, relax and reflect upon yourself. ICE Today wishes you all a happy, meaty Eid!
The Magazine That Reads You Closely Vol 12 No 09
September 2015
Publisher Abul Khair Chairman Editorial Board Syed Shamsul Haq Director, International Publications Zeenat Chowdhury Executive Director Nawshin Khair Managing Editor Tawhidur Rashid Deputy Editor Tanuva Aumia Khundkar Associate Editor Nisha Sharmeen Ali Assistant Editor Natasha Rahman Senior Sub-Editor Tamzidur Rahman Sub-Editor Rubab Nayeem Khan Fashion Editor Goutom Saha Staff Writer Aidha Cader Senior Designer (In charge of Graphics and Layout)
Jason Sabbir Dhali Designer Md. Mainul Islam Head of Marketing Lucky Begum Finance and Accounts Md. Abdul Alim Sales and Distribution Md. Manik Mollah
On the cover
Corrigendum
Regrettably, we have had two errors in our August issue that need correction 1. The correct address of Grooming Lounge is House 15, Sonargaon Janapath,Sector 13, Uttara 2. The photos for Arbovirus were taken by Arbovirus' official photographer Shihab Khan We sincerely apologize and hope we keep our eyes wide open the next time!
Get our official app on your android and iOS device e-mail: icetoday@gmail.com facebook.com/ice.today twitter.com/ice_today www.icetoday.net Published by Abul Khair on behalf of ICE Media Limited Printed at M.K. Printers189/1,Tejgaon I/A,Dhaka-1208 Editorial and Commercial office: Bengal Centre, Plot-2, Civil Aviation, New Airport Road, Khilkhet, Dhaka Advertising, Sales and Distribution: 01711339587, 01819412035, 01684570791. Tel: 880-2-8901135, 8901170 Fax: 88-02-8901205
Models Wardrobe Makeup and hair Photography
: Priyanka Jabarun : Ecstasy : Farzana Shakil’s : Abu Naser
Contents September 2015
16 On a Soothing Note A chat with the eccentric Blues Brothers
22 No Waves, No Glory
Meet the winners of the Special Olympics Games 2015
28 Striking Success
The ins and out of Consumer Banking from Nazeem A Choudhury
30 The Journey of Mehendi
Everything you need to know about henna art
34 Autumn Fresh
Getting a fall makeover
40 ICE becomes the Paparazzi The 6th season of Pond’s Lustrous Runway
Fashion Portfolio 43 Be the Stunner Glam up for the festive season
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Contents September 2015
76 Eid in Baskets Goodies for everyone this Eid
82 Quests of a Creative Soul How Rumana Chowdhury sewed success with fashion house Warah
84 Good of Small Things
bti’s collection of decorative items
86 Girls, Get Your Hallelujah Importance and ways of self-defence for the women of Dhaka
92 Gastronomy Glee
Why Bistro E is a gastronaut’s haven
94 Meaty Meltdown
Dan Sullivan discusses cooking meat
100 Art in the Bazaar
A tale of Persian handicraft, art and more
106 Reminiscence of Europe From Europe, with nostalgia
110 Team Play
Bangladesh National Football Team’s updates
116 The Miracle Workers Saving Baby Suraiya
118 Events
The latest events that are creating a buzz
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Tunes
On a
Soothing Note Ashfaque Zaman tunes into the ethereal melodies of jazz and blues Photographs by Ashraf Uddin Apu 16
The Blues Brothers
Most definitive moment as a band “We had troubleshooting at a concert, requiring us to improvise like the great jazz artist and perform an amazing concert,” explains Tashfee.
Pet Peeves in terms of audience “Having a hungry audience is never a pleasant experience, therefore we appreciate it if food is served before the performance,” states PK.
Essential Snack or Food while jamming “Chai and Cheetos because the music requires some heat,” explains Nahyan.
ew Orleans, a city where the scorching heat and opulent culture will leave masochistic blisters on your soul and skin, is a most befitting birthplace of the jazz and the blues. A melodious agglomeration of European musical ideas and African-American styles, it expresses the complexities of hurt, angst, yearning and love. Originating in the 18th century, jazz and blues has worked their way up the Mississippi River throughout America, across the pond and after more than a century, across half the
world to the metropolitans of the Bay of Bengal. Whether it is the soulful vocals, the earthy euphonious instruments or poignant lyrics, the harmonious notes will be nothing short of a euphoric musical experience. From Marvin Gaye to Norah Jones, jazz can be experienced through any musical outlet. However, for the first-hand experience that doesn’t involve an excursion across the world, let’s explore the bands in Bangladesh who are recreating the rich genres on this hemisphere.
Whether it is the soulful vocals, the earthy euphonious instruments or poignant lyrics, the harmonious notes will be nothing short of a euphoric musical experience Hectic corporate jobs by day and passionate music enthusiasts by night; The Blues Brothers are a protagonist in the jazz and blues scene. True to their name, the band consists of four musical brothers and one soulful sister, whose chops are a force to be reckoned with. Consisting of one vocalist, Tashfia Fatima Tashfee, an acoustic lead, Shafkat Ahmed Dipto, acoustic
rhythmist Nahyan Imam, drummer and percussionist Pantha Kanai (PK), and bassist Imran Rabbani, the personal connection of these musical siblings transcends into their performance; they want the audience to experience the magic as if they were a member of the family. Specialising in acoustic, low-key numbers, The Blues Brothers have
played in a number of eclectic platforms from International Club to the relaxed and rustic Farmer’s Market. The band predominantly plays classical numbers such as Ain’t No Sunshine by Bill Withers, Cocaine Blues by Bob Dylan, and Bad Moon Rising by CCR. Perfecting some of the classics, they are expanding their tuneful enthusiasm to creating originals. 17
Photographs by Sakib Muhtasim
Breaking Barriers
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No Waves,
No Glory Rumana Fouzia Choudhury was amazed by the achievements of the Bangladeshi athletes at the Special Olympics World Games this year
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ounded in 1968, the Special Olympics were organised by Eunice Kennedy Shriver as a day-camp to include the participation of intellectually disabled children and adults in sports. In 1995, through Mr. Ashraf-Ud-Dowla’s initiative, Bangladesh became a member, and now 177 countries participate in the Special Olympic World Games. This year, from July 25th to August 2nd, 54 athletes from Bangladesh participated in the six disciplines of athletics badminton, bocce, football, swimming and table tennis, winnning a total of 18 gold medals, 22 silver (11 of which were won by the football team) and 14 bronze medals. Towering over his coach, a lanky and smiling Abdul Kader Soron, 20, sat quietly as his father, Md. Solaiman Hossain explained that his son’s speech impediment never stopped him from making friends and playing sports as a child. This was Soron’s first ever international game, and he bagged 3 gold medals in badminton, in the singles, doubles and unified doubles matches. Against a ‘normal’ player who is far more experienced, Soron deflected every attack, his coach, Md. Zaheed Ramzan explained. He beams when reminiscing about the umpire of the unified matches telling him Soron “has good technique”, and the disbelief and awe of the Yonex sponsors at what Soron achieved in “only 3 months!” Most players get a year to practise. Just as Ramzan worries about the lack of funds for these athletes, Parul Akter’s coach Md. Golam Mostafa worries about the lack of employment opportunities that could provide them financial stability. Her father, Md. Zahiruddin, said that no matter what happens, he hopes his daughter can continue her career in sports. While her coach and father spoke, Parul Akter, not yet 18, smiled impishly, tugging at the ribbons of the gold and silver medals hanging round her neck—the ones she won for 100m freestyle swimming and for 50m freestyle swimming respectively. She also won a bronze medal as the fourth member in 50m relay swimming. Her training comprised of swimming 3000m everyday for a mere two months. The 24-year-old Sumon Khan said he would prefer to play football and cited his mother, Shabana Begum as his favourite 24
3 person. Begum explained how he was born a healthy child but at the age of one and a half years, he was afflicted by a fever that left him with stiffness in his limbs and robbed him of his speech. Through sports, he found his strength and belonging. After training for two months, through the rain in June and July, Sumon won 2 gold medals for shot put and as the fourth member in 100m relay. Sumon Khan’s head coach, Ms. Sufia Khatun, an Olympic Champion of women’s 100 m sprint in 1968, says, “There is not enough coverage so while these athletes achieve so much, the support for them is sporadic and only concentrated around the events.” Shy, Jakia Sultana, 16, who secured 2 gold medals in the singles and unified doubles in bocce, preferred to stay close to her coach, Kazi Bilkish Begum, who attested to Jakia’s many other talents. Ms. Begum said that Jakia loves to draw in her spare time. She is also a dancer, and performed in India in November 2014 as part of
Special Olympics
come from and so grow isolated once such events are over.” Faruqul Islam, National Director of Special Olympics Bangladesh spoke about the slogan of unified matches in the games; Play Unified, Live Unified. He explained that while things are better now for the intellectually disabled, there is still a long way to go to integrate these children and adults into mainstream society. However, he said that with a little more awareness and support from the community, perhaps these young children and adults who have shown time and again that they have much to offer can say, we can also do it.
1. Parul Akter, not yet 18, hails from Dhamrai, Dhaka. She won a gold medal for 100 m freestyle swimming, a silver medal for 50 m freestyle swimming and a bronze medal as the fourth member in 50 m swimming relay. 2. Faruqul Islam, National Director of Special Olympics Bangladesh, in front of the their headquarters in Uttara 3. Jakia Sultana, 16, comes from Madhupur. She won 2 gold medals in singles and unified doubles in bocce. 4. Left to right: (Left) Jakia Sultana, winner of 2 gold medals in the bocce singles and unified doubles matches; (right) bocce head coach, Kazi Bilkish Begum. 5. Abdul Kader Soron doing what he does best 6. From left to right: (left) Badminton head coach, Zaheed Ramzan; (right) Abdul Kader Soron, winner of 3 gold medals in singles, doubles and unified doubles matches
4 a cultural exchange program organised by A.L.P.A.N.A (Association for Learning Performing Arts & Normative Action). In table tennis, the brother-sister duo of Naimur Rahman, 15, and Sadia Akter Urmi, 18, each won a gold medal in the singles and a silver medal in the mixed doubles. Sadia is proof that one can always switch careers, because she won gold in bocce in the Asia Pacific Games 2013: Special Olympics Australia, and then switched to play table tennis alongside her brother. Their father, Md. Babul Akter, a retired soldier, praises the bond between the siblings and reveals they are quite guarded in their choice of friends. Akter said his children are quick to cut ties with those who backbite because, in their opinion, “those who say mean things about others are not right on the inside.” Their head coach, Gautom Kumar Das said that these young gifted athletes miss sports events tremendously. Sports fields, swimming pools and ping pong tables become their home, where they are engaged physically and mentally both in their game and with fellow players. “They don’t have such a community from where they
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Queen size Beda luxurious bed made from medium density fiber with a mahogany wood structure laminated with red oak veneer. The detailed workmanship is impeccable that fits any modern setting. The bed houses a 6 0r 8 inch mattress for extreme comfort.
Advertorial
Cupboard: complimentary to the bed, this cupboard is also made from medium density fiber laminated with red oak veneer. The body is furnished with lacquer to give an ageless feature.
Models: Razz Photo: Abu Naser
Dressing table: complimentary to the bed and cupboard, this dressing table is also made with the same material to fit any modern setting.
Models: Anushka Photo: Abu Naser
Our Showrooms in Dhaka: Jamuna Future Park, Monipuripara, Maghbazar, Panthapath, Tejgaon, Uttara, Mirpur, Mohammadpur Our Showrooms out of Dhaka: Chittagong, Khulna, Sylhet, Chowmuhony (Noakhali) Hotline: 01766695979 Web: www.partexstargroup.com EMI facilities are available with different banks.
Dining Set: this simple but elegant dining set is made from solid mahogany wood. The leg base of the table provides ample support for the 10mm glass top. The simple but elegant chairs provide back support and comfort.
Corporate Cafe
Striking
Success Nazeem A Choudhury,Head of Consumer Banking at EBL believes in customer delight.Natasha Rahman reels on as this ace banker discusses the triumphs and challenges he faces
Photograph by Ashraf Uddin Apu
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sually bankers have a reputation of being unwelcoming and unhelpful. But Nazeem breaks that notion with his warm, friendly nature. Leading a team of 1700 and counting banking professionals across the country, his smiling persona and sense of humour will catch you off guard.
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What marketing goals did you set out to conquer as the Head of Consumer Banking? Retail Banking is detail banking. Understanding the customers’ needs, following lifestyle trends and providing banking solutions according to that are the key elements. EBL does retail and consumer banking differently. Service that delights the customer is our core objective. We are happy to go an extra mile to ensure that. We believe in this concept and harness this at every level of consumer banking. Each and every member of the team believes in this concept. Business is a logical sequence of this belief.
To be successful in a business, you need to find opportunities and gaps in the market, and fill those gaps. What gaps have you noticed in this sector and how are you bridging those gaps? I would not say there are gaps in the market, especially in the consumer banking space. Over the years, banks have launched products and services that have covered the customer life cycle. Consumer Banking is just like shopping in a super store. You don’t want to go to multiple stores to complete your shopping list. It has to have all items under one roof – or else you will switch. EBL has its shelves full
Nazeem A Choudhury of financial products that caters to the needs of all customers from juniors to seniors, from borrowers to depositors, from corporate expense management through cards to lifestyle spenders through credit cards. We focus heavily on building alternate channels like ATMs, Cash Deposit Machines, Internet Banking, etc. These are the key success factors for us. Are there any obstacles that have been deterring you? ‘Obstacles’ is not the right term. Challenges are there. But that is precisely why we are here – to overcome the challenges efficiently. From my point of view, I see two great challenges that every consumer banker faces everyday. First – the ever improving and changing technology; we need to catch up with the changes fast. With the improved technology, the second challenge evolves; the growing customer demands. Nowadays, customers are more knowledgeable and have a clear idea about their financial needs. The onus is on us to live up to the expectations and trust me, it is not an easy job. I am proud of my team particularly on this issue. Day and night, they are engaged in providing this service meticulously. Whatever stature EBL has earned till date is due to our customers and our team’s ability to transform that expectation into reality. Do you think mobile banking will emerge as a strong opponent to the credit card business in the future? Mobile banking is just another distribution channel. Due to its easy operating nature it has gained popularity and will thrive in future. I don’t see it as a threat to any particular product, like cards for example. Rather it has given us a new opportunity where we can take cards from its plastic form to a virtual form and use the channel. Cards have evolved as well. From traditional magstripe cards we have moved to chip based secured cards. Very soon, contactless cards will be there too. For high value transactions and travelling populations – cards will remain a strong product as ever. It may depend on mobiles as virtual cards for better penetration. What stands out at EBL when it comes to connecting with consumers in a more efficient way? Would you like to share an insight about the team culture you have at the consumer banking department? This has been a strong area for EBL. We regularly engage with our customers. Our Managing Director & CEO Ali Reza Iftekhar is an ardent advocate of this customer-centric culture and ensures that everyone at EBL connects with them. We organise customer nights across the country where we invite select customers to hear about their expectations and rate our services. We
Our law requires a person who wants to get a credit card to have an obligatory Tax Identification Number. Here lies the basic problem. As the number of tax payers have not increased in our country over the years – the number of credit cardholders have not increased either. do mystery shopping surveys at regular intervals. We call back our new and old customers consistently to take their feedback. We aim to improve on our shortfalls. In other words – we try to learn from our mistakes. Credit cards are losing their hold in the country. The figures are said to be stuck within four lakhs in the past few years. What are the reasons behind this? This has nothing to do with the product. Our law requires a person who wants to get a credit card to have an obligatory Tax Identification Number. Here lies the basic problem. As the number of tax payers have not increased in our country over the years – the number of credit cardholders have not increased either. From a credit point of view, Bangladesh has a market of around 10 million credit cards. But due to this regulation we could not cross even 5%. I am sure, in the future the law makers will have to look into this – as we are promoting digital money and want to move into a cashless society. Credit cards or in fact any form of cards – be it debit or prepaid - are better than cash as they have clear audit trail and helps anti money-laundering activities. It’s convenient to carry and secured as well. How competitive are your cards in comparison to other banks? I am not saying this because I work here but EBL Cards are in fact the best in market. We issue credit cards – both corporate and personal, prepaid cards and debit cards. We have all the variants like Infinite, Signature and Classic cards. Our interest rates are competitive and fees are minimal. We have over 100 merchant partners for various lifestyle benefits. Our lounge facility at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka is world class. EBL Skylounge hosted over 40,000 cardholders last year. We were the first bank in Bangladesh to offer full service Visa Platinum Cards and introduce Visa Signature and Visa Infinite in the market. We introduced corporate prepaid cards for managing corporate expenses. We are the only bank that has co-branded cards with three telecom giants. EBL, practically has shaped the card industry in Bangladesh. This is not the end; we are going to introduce more to the Bangladeshi card and related products. 29
Beauty Alert
enna, more commonly known as mehendi, is a temporary form of skin decoration, most popular in South Asia, the Middle East, North Africa as well as expatriate communities from these areas. Mehendi designs are usually drawn on hands and feet, where the colour will be the darkest because the skin contains higher levels of keratin. The mehendi leaves contain a reddish orange dye pigment called lawsone, which is used to dye skin, fingernails and hair. It is usually dried and ground into a powder, which is mixed into a paste and applied using a variety of techniques. Women love the mehendi. Be it the smell, the colour or the ability to draw simple as well as intricate patterns and designs, it appears to be a fascinating form of art for ladies. It has been and is still considered to be a ritual to apply mehendi on various occasions including Eids, weddings and other events that calls for cultural celebrations. A few decades ago, people used to apply mehendi differently than they do now. The mehendi paste used to be applied directly onto the palm or fingernails. Toothpicks or small sticks used to be employed to draw up patterns and designs, but that too on rare occasions. Another popular design was - covering the fingertips, both inside and
The Journey
of Mehendi
Fatima Faheem traces the intricacies of mehendi
To ensure that the mehendi left its darkest possible colour, women used to utilise household items. Some of the popular measures taken are as listed below Adding “Khoyer” paste to the mehendi paste to ensure that the mehendi stain would turn out to be darker than usual The addition of dense tea and/or lemon juice is still a popular concept today and its addition enhances the colour Specific patterns are drawn on the palm using “chun” and then mehendi is applied. After drying and removing the mehendi, the colour appears on all places except the areas where the “chun” was applied After the removal of mehendi, a few drops of mustard oil was applied on the decorated area and left overnight so that it could do enhance the colour.
Photographs by Kazi Ahnaf Aquib
out. Most of them used to be satisfied with the circles or other basic geometric shapes drawn on their hands and feet. It was all good as long as the colour came out well - the darker the colour the prettier they look. The scenario paints a different picture today. We are too busy to gather mehendi leaves, crush and grind them to make a paste and then apply mehendi and leave it on for several hours before it dries. Luckily enough, ready-made mehendi is available at supermarkets, that too, in cones or tubes and other tools. The most common and useful tool is the cone – made of rolled plastic, 30
Mehendi Art
With Eid around the corner, you can perform a little DIY task to ensure that you get fresh mehendi which is both dark in colour and long lasting. Sift the powdered mehendi to get rid of chunks. Add 1/4th cup of lemon juice or water to the mehendi and whisk until you have a consistent mixture. Cover the mixture using a plastic wrap and leave it at room temperature for 24 hours. The dye will be separated into a layer above the rest of the mehendi mixture as it matures. Grab a spoon and scoop that out. Place the mehendi into a plastic cone. Twist the top of the cone and secure tightly with a rubber band. Roll the rubber band downward until the mehendi is in contact with both the tip of the cone as well as the base of the rubber band. This ensures that the mehendi dispenses properly. Clip the tip of the cone with a nail cutter so that the mehendi comes out easily. Just remember to make very small cuts so that you don’t overdo it. And there you go!
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similar to a cake decorating tube, with a tine hole at the end. The benefit of such an application tool is that incredibly fine lines can be achieved without much hassle and without tiring your hands. Not only does it save time, but the way the mehendi comes out from tubes inspire a lot of people to make more detailed designs. From simple geometric shapes to twisted and tangled patterns the evolution of mehendi art is remarkable. Not that mehendi leaves are not available, but due to an increase in consumerism, tube mehendi is preferred. Not only the medium, but the designs - which is used to be simple flowers or patterns resembling various household items has changed. Previously the designs used to be lucid, like vases exemplified by the famous ‘kolka’ design and so on. But recently, the designs have emerged to be more complex and detailed which definitely
reflects the aggregation in terms of patience but also reflects the complexity that has weaved its way to our thinking process. Because we are so busy playing different roles throughout the day, we choose shortcuts when it comes to easily available commodities. How often do we give it a thought that the mehendi consumed from stores contain chemicals which might trigger allergic reactions? Nowadays, mehendi cone contains chemicals, so if you’re allergic or your skin is sensitive, then check a little amount of mehendi on your palm before making the whole design. If it gives a burning sensation or it itches, trashcan it immediately! Do not apply mehendi right after waxing. The skin pores are opened at that time, exposing it to the chemicals. Wait a day or two to be on the safe side to avoid skin irritation and damage.
From simple geometric shapes to twisted and tangled patterns- the evolution of mehendi art is remarkable
Makeover
Hello Radiance Eyes: Apply orange eye shadow across the lids. Blend the corners with a shade of brown eye shadow. Apply eyeliner across the lash lines followed by a coating of mascara on lashes. Cheek: A blend of orange and brown blusher on cheeks. Lips: Orange lipstick with a touch of gloss. Hair: Backcomb the hair to create volume. Comb it down and tie into a ponytail at the nape of the neck.
Autumn
Fresh Farzana Shakil and Aidha Cader give you the seasonal pick of warm shades
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Soft Shimmer
Eyes: Keep eyes looking natural and minimalistic with a blend pink and beige eye shadow on the lids. A fine line of eyeliner is drawn across the lash line followed by mascara. Cheeks: Pink blusher on cheeks. Lips: Pink lipstick. Hair: Hair is blow-dried with soft curls at the ends.
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Deep Meditation Eyes: Apply black eye shadow across the lids and blend it along the lower lash lines to create a smoky look. Draw black eyeliner across the lash lines followed by mascara on lashes. Cheeks: Use a maroon tone blusher along the cheekbones. Lips: Deep maroon matte lipstick. Hair: Comb hair and tie a ponytail at the crown. Twist the hair to create a topknot. 38
RSVP
ICE Becomes the Paparazzi The sixth season of Pond’s presents The Lustrous Runway, organised by Karishma Khan and Ali Faiyaz Shoumo of Infinity Event Management in association with BMW, was a blast! A stirring blend of local young talents and iconic international designers set the stage on fire. Showstopper Dia Mirza, former Miss Asia Pacific graced the stage in a dazzling outfit by Rubize and jewellery by Gitanjali. Rubize
Photographs by Farhan Ahmed
Photo by Infinity Management
Farzana Nova
Komal Sood
Jyoti Sachdev
Photo by Infinity Management
The Lustrous Runway
Shamsha Hashwani
Jyotsna Tiwari
Diva: Diva’s designer and creative head, Nisha Ali, showcased the beautiful drapes of Jamdani and Muslin which involved her working closely with local weavers and artisans.
Jyotsna Tiwari
Diva
Rubize Gitanjali
ICE Glamour
Be the
Stunner
It makes no difference whether you are slim and trim or marvellously curvy; the right attitude is what makes all the difference. Flaunt your style with our intricately crafted botanical prints for sarees and anarkalis. Paying homage to floor-length gowns and sherwani suits, our portfolio is a gala of elegance and grandeur. We also have much much more, but we will let you discover that for yourself! This festive season, amp up your glam quotient with ĂŠlan.
Model: Mili Wardrobe: Mansha Makeup and hair: Farzana Shakil’s Photos and set design: Topu Rehaman
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Models: Doyel, Shamin & Shams Wardrobe: Warah Makeup and hair: Farzana Shakil’s Styling & Choreography: Shahrukh Amin Photos: Topu Rehaman
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Models: Asif & Spriha Wardrobe: Reluce Makeup and hair: Farzana Shakil’s Photos: Riyad Ashraf
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Models: Ayaz and Oshin Wardrobe: O2 Makeup and hair: Farzana Shakil’s Photos: Topu Rehaman
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Model: Abony Wardrobe: Cats Eye Makeup and hair: Farzana Shakil’s Photos: Abu Naser Location: Bengal Centre
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Models: Razz & Sunehra Wardrobe: Shwapno Makeup and hair: Farzana Shakil’s Photos: Abu Naser
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Model: Priyanka Jabarun Wardrobe: Ecstasy Makeup and hair: Farzana Shakil’s Photos: Abu Naser Location: Bengal Centre
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Model: Chaiti Wardrobe: Almira Accessories: Private collection of Shahrukh Amin Makeup and hair: Farzana Shakil’s Photos: Topu Rehaman
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Word on the Street
Eid
in Baskets
While spreading happiness in baskets, Nahid Tabassum adorns all the goodness for your loved ones this Eid! Photographs by Sakib Muhtasim
Pretty Pamper
A plethora of lavish perfumes, pretty scarves, classy clutches and shiny belts, express your tiniest concern towards her with this exciting bag. Surely, the woman in your life deserves the most indulging gifts of appreciation. Gucci Made to Measure 90ml - Tk. 8175 Cats eye Clutch - Tk. 2500 Designer Belt - Tk. 1490 Necklace - Tk. 1290 Aarong Mirror - Tk. 528.85 Basket - Tk. 72 Jewellery Box - Tk. 384.62 Ecstasy Scarves - Tk. 1080 (beige), Tk. 870 (orange)
Kids Come First Balancing both worlds, this Eid we bring a wholesome basket for children with thoughtful gifts and healthy supplements. Starting from story books and shiny new stationeries, this goodie basket cuddles all the goodness you can provide your children with. While fun items such as transforming action figure, Angry Bird game and puzzles keep their minds occupied, brain foods can be a good choice to nurture their mental growth and development.
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Aarong Basket - Tk. 76.90 Bells - Tk. 38.46 Baby Shop Transformers Action figure - Tk. 1850 Angry Bird game set - Tk. 3700 Boi Bichitra Puzzle set - Tk. 675 Book set - Tk. 9450 Stationery set - Tk. 160 Sticky notes - Tk. 130 Book markers - Tk. 195 Notebook - Tk. 270 Pen set - Tk. 220 North End Coffee Roasters Brain food - Tk. 150
Goodie Bags
Debonair Mister On such a cheerful occasion, spoil the most important man in your life with posh perfumes, edgy cufflinks, smart belts, trendy pocket squares and stylish wallets. Add a touch of care through roasted coffee beans, notebooks and easy cook book to ignite his culinary skills. Dolce & Gabbana Intenso 125ml - Tk. 9525 Cats Eye Belt - Tk. 1350 Wallet - Tk. 1800 Cuff links - Tk. 1500 Pocket Square - Tk. 1350 North End Coffee Roasters Roasted Coffee Beans - Tk. 530 Boi Bichitra Notebook - Tk. 120 PBS Easy Recipe Cook Book - Tk. 2650
Fun for All This basket is the hub of treasure suitable for everyone in the family. A mixture of everything we love is cautiously placed as heartwarming gifts for everyone this Eid. Besides universal items such as wafer rolls, mug, comics and board games, unusual fun cook books can be added as well. Moreover, for someone picky in the house drop a coupon card and set your worries aside! Aarong Bells - Tk. 38.46 Basket - Tk. 67.31 Gift Coupons PBS Chocolate & Music Book - Tk. 1550 Comics - Tk. 3080 Monopoly - Tk. 3970 Boi Bichitra Wafer Rolls - Tk. 480 Rubik’s Cube - Tk. 350 Mug - Tk. 385 Baby Shop Avengers Action figure - Tk. 1990
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Photo by Sakib Muhtasim
Woman on the Move
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Rumana Chowdhury
Quests of
Creative Soul Rumana Chowdhury, the designer and owner of the popular fashion house Warah gets candid with Kyoko Bhuiyan
Rumana Chowdhury is one restless soul. Her journey from a student of fashion designing to an entrepreneur to social activist is one intriguing read. “Warah is very traditional,” shares Rumana. She uses simple materials from Bangladesh to create trendy and chic designs. “Unlike many, I cannot easily think of a design on loud colours. But with neutrals, such as beige and off-white, the ideas come naturally to me.” She wants her clientele to feel they are wearing an outfit that stands out in a crowd.
On her creative nook
The BUFT graduate doesn’t feel that there is enough recognition for the local designers here. “For me creating a collection is almost like giving birth to a baby. Sometimes, the former is even more cumbersome than the latter. At least the fetus remains in the womb of the mother in a secure condition, but for a designer, the designs are at the factory, which is miles away and sometimes raises serious concerns about safety and well-being of the products. Unlike the mass, Rumana tried to display her line of clothes with a story to go with it. “Last year for
my designs, I worked on the story of Two Sisters by Rabindranath Tagore and this year I worked with the bard’s The Broken Nest. I have put in a lot of creative input in my photo shoots from encouraging the models to study the story for the required expressions to discussing the concept with the photographer.” According to her, the local crowd is overwhelmed with the Indian and Pakistani products, which hinders the sales of local products. In comparison to India, the production cost to stitch a dress here is very high which doesn’t allow me to sell my pieces at a lower price. “It is discouraging, but I am a fighter.”
On encouraging talented designers
Despite all the talent in our fashion industry, the budding designer feels there is a lot missing from this industry, which is keeping it from growing. When you look at other countries, the fashion industry is hyped up with the government as well as private sector endorsing them and the media writing about them. We need to change our mentality and give proper exposure to our designers as opposed to being focused on foreign ones.
On being humane
Rumana is an ardent social worker at heart. “I have been working with the Junior Chambers International (JCI) for about half a decade now. “I used to be very snooty and reserved before I commenced my stint here. As clichéd as it may sound, working with underprivileged children has truly helped me evolve as a person.” Project Healthy Start and Project Smile are two projects she has designed and is heading at the moment. “Though it’s a lot of work, it made me realise how fortunate I am to live the life I lead.” On an end note, the restless soul doesn’t want to let go of any of her passions, be it JCI or Warah. “I don’t like living in peace, I enjoy the chaos,” she sounds hysterically passionate. For now, Rumana wants the name of her brand to make a stance in the country. “I want the entire fashion industry to grow as a whole and only then can we make a difference. It’s up to us and the media to make space for new designers,” on that optimistic note the interview concludes.
Despite all the talent in our fashion industry, the budding designer feels there is a lot missing from this industry, which is keeping it from growing.
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Interior Nahid Tabassum assembles BTI Home N DÊcor’s stunning decorative pieces to furnish your home into a palace of extravagance Photographs by Sakib Muhtasim
Mirror, Tk. 2566 Gift box, Tk.1803 Jewellery box, Tk. 832
Good of Small Things 84
Home N Décor
If you enjoy collecting pretty pieces to embellish your home, Home N Décor is the place to go to. Showcasing a variety of sophisticated decorative artefacts, the products are perfect to ornament your house with a touch of vogue. Categorising each spot meticulously, their range of products start from rugs, chandeliers, antiques to lamps as well as mirrors. Home N Décor bti Premier Plaza Cha – 90/A, Progoti Sharani, Uttar Badda, Dhaka 1212 Opposite to Suvastu Nazar Valley
Decorative plate, Tk. 2600
Animal showpiece, Tk. 1600
Ceramic vase, Tk. 2231
Candle stand, Tk. 4700
Animal showpiece, Tk. 1200
Candle stand, Tk. 5000
Decorative showpiece, Tk. 850
Animal showpiece, Tk. 1350
Cover Story
On an oath to train young women, Nahid Tabassum weighs in on the skills of self-defence and sheds light on clubs and organizations that are training young women to be fearless and tough Photographs by Sakib Muhtasim 86
Your It List
Girls, Get Your
Hallelujah 87
esides for a few cooers of gender equality, a woman’s day among Dhaka dwellers is no less challenging than a battleground. Even though Dhaka is gradually opening up arenas for self-defence classes, there’s a lot that needs to be done to rope in more women. With kickboxing, mixed martial arts, karate and fencing - read on to discover the plusses of being a woman who can defend herself in the throes of danger.
Her Steely Stance Sticks and stones can no longer break her bones. As we move towards the hall, we hear a powerful menacing voice of a woman. Kiai could be heard from the far end of the corridor. Whilst Sensei Arifur Rahman welcomed us to Kyokushin Bangladesh, we spotted her crashing a male combatant hard on the ground. As he leaped back up, she threw him back without a fold on her forehead or a wrinkle on her white Karate Gi. Drawing near an unanticipated meek voice broke the ice, “The misconception that women cannot compete with men physically is a myth. Training and resilience can groom us to become as strong as steel.” Holding a black belt in Karate, fashion designer Taslima also revealed self-defence freed her from constant fear and insecurities. “I feel secure even when travelling late nights by myself,” she professed fearlessly. Furthermore, the courteous Sensei Monir Ahmed Bhuiyan revealed more. “Nothing ensures fitness like Karate does. From tip to toe, it intrigues all the senses of our body. Let alone unshackling our physical limitations, it
also rids the fear that nestles in our minds.” Under his watch, we noticed young women budding from the branches of Karate through their beginner lessons. While highlighting the female proportion he asserted, “A relative increase of girls learning Karate is observed in the last few years.” However he feels the hype of karate isn’t the same as before, “Our children grew up watching martial arts and karate drills on national television, and got inspired from Bruce Lee’s action movies. Unfortunately, these trends are slowly losing their charm.” He feels improved adaptations of such programs should be highlighted through the media. Sensei held the government responsible for its ignorance concerning the endorsement of martial arts in Bangladesh and disparaged its vague efforts and faux promises Kyokushin Bangladesh 50, Gulshan Avenue, Gulshan 1 Contact 01715489709
Her Mighty Guise On the doorsteps of the Bangladesh School of Martial Arts, we find women’s potent and headstrong demeanour. Hashi, the bronze medallist of Wako Asian Kickboxing Championship 2012 expressed, “To know how to protect myself liberates me from my subconscious psychological limitations. My doubt or helplessness no longer consumes my abilities.” Her Sensei Mustafizur Rahman admired her strength, “Since our safe haven is no longer absolutely secure, women should rely on no one for their refuge. Regardless of their backgrounds, family and social status, self-defence is a basic need for women.” It is time to shatter the fragile and feeble persona with her solid punch! While Hashi claimed to be fortunate to have her family’s moral support, Nipa, another student, rivalled against her loved ones in the beginning of her training. “For two years, I hid the hard work I was doing from my family until I was ready to take part in a tournament,” spoke the true warrior. The visionary Mustafizur recommended people to learn and practice karate from their early schooling days. “Be it Karate, 88
Martial Arts, kickboxing, Taekwondo or Muay Thai, along with physical education and sports, ways of self-guarding should be commenced in the curriculum to halt regular unpleasant occurrences,” he advised. In his past two decades as a trainer, he has trained girls from remote areas of Bangladesh which now aided them to stand tall and proud. “Learning 10 basic self-defence techniques could be your last resort at that moment of peril,” he adds. However, the societal view of having girls learning self-defence is a barricade to their growth. “The clichéd mindset of doubting its necessity and considering it unladylike are major reasons why many girls decide to quit training,” says Mustafizur. Nevertheless, with his hopes flagged high, his methods are unwavering to awaken women from the delusional slumber of safety.
Dare or Die
Know the weak spots and dead spots of the body. Weak points are nose, eyes, groin, shins, etc. Gauging, poking or scratching the attacker’s eye can cause him a lot of pain. A strike under the nose can cause bleeding immediately. A two-handed ear slap can rupture the ear drum which is extremely painful. Striking the flat of the forehead forces the head back with little resistance and causes a concussion or worse. One knuckle punch on the temples can cause concussion, haemorrhage, or even death. A kick on a knee can handicap the attacker disabling him to move. Using objects such as a key chain, phone or even a pencil to defend is always better than a free hand combat.
Bangladesh School Of Martial Arts House 110/A, Road 27, Banani Contact 01715251206
Her Feisty Flame Whoever said combating is men’s trade did not see Suchi warming up with kicks and pounds neck to neck with men. Creative manager at an ad firm, her bold and feisty spirit caught our eyes just as we set foot on the raw grounds of KO Fight Studio. As we embarked into the venue, the stern Sensei Abdullah Mohammad Hossain was seen prepping her. He elucidated, “Kyokushin Karate is implied for stand ups and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is entailed to ground techniques building a bulwark for women.” He states that the methodological fighting has rules and fouls whereas everything is allowed when survival is at stake. Suchi’s determination is strictly intrinsic and her drive is motivational. “My husband always encouraged me to learn self-protection and my family has been supportive throughout,” rendered Suchi. However,
Sakina, a lawyer and a lecturer advocated, “I considered learning mixed martial arts as I reckoned education and a career cannot be the only markers of an empowered woman.” Every year KO Fight Studio organises a seminar for young girls with the objective to coach preliminary tactics of self-defence. “Even though the response is positive, the members lack dedication,” he commented. He sadly mentions that people view self-defence secondary to cooking and stitching. For preoccupied schedules he suggested ten classes, two hours each consisting 12 techniques to learn fundamental reflexive techniques. Before leaving, Sensei said that the members should strike first instead of waiting for the opponent to attack. KO Fight Studio House 88, Road 17/A Block E Banani Contact 01924999000
Photo by Reza Shahriar Rahman 89
Her Stubborn Spirit
Touché Considering fighting to be ‘unladylike’ is the same as considering male chefs to be ‘unmanly’. If learning kickboxing or martial arts is aggressive then so is chopping skills. If being treated by a male physician is acceptable, so is learning karate from a male Sensei.
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We spotted a horde of white knights, or fencers as they are known, on the grounds of Mirpur Indoor Stadium. Their unbendable spirits, shining bright with the white armour on and a pointy sword drawn unswervingly towards her foe was a sight worth staring at. The rain that seized the city could not deter them from mastering fencing. The very basics of fencing (launch and parry) can grasp or arrest the aggressor with a swift hold and natural flexibility. “It is a game of brains and stamina. Thus being alert is the key to remaining on your toes,” Mou a regular fencer shared. When the purpose centres on shielding her from mishaps, fencing
serves better than any other forms. “In fencing, predicting the attacker’s moves keeps us alert on the streets. Plus, grooming with weapons such as sticks and swords give us an upper hand on safe-guarding,” she summarized. Likewise, the dynamic coach Rezaul Karim Asad of Bangladesh Fencing Association is happy to see the increase in female participation and is expecting more women to join in. Ladies, this is your chance to go out there and show them what you’ve got! Mirpur Fencing Club Mirpur 10 Indoor Stadium Contact 01922340540
Gastronomy Glee Bistro E is certainly an epicureans’ haven. Fatima Faheem tells us why
Photographs by Kazi Ahnaf Aquib Most Popular The signature beef slider (Tk 650) is considered to be the most popular item. The beef sausage is made from scratch and the caramelised onions along with a dash of seasoning deliver a nutritious taste. It is served with Aioli which is sort of a spicy mayonnaise, also made from scratch by the chef himself. Chef ’s Special The chef Abdullah Tareq shares his favourite meal - the Moroccan Kefta (Tk 575) – the lamb Kefta, which has a Mediterranean flavour, is his personal favourite. The Kefta is not very spicy and the flavour is just adequate enough to ensure that the lamb is not masked. The hero of the dish is the lamb itself, so by preserving its taste rather than reinforcing any other flavoured essence, the chef does justice to the dish. Moreover, the hot Aioli perfectly complements the Kefta. Must Try Bistro-E takes pride in their Mediterranean dish – the Hummus (Tk 300). It is specially made using Pesto Harissa paste dressing and topped with whole chickpeas, spices and virgin olive oil. It is served with Pita bread – which is regular bread but thinner and more compressed, which makes it soft, chewy and appetising. Weekly specials The menu is the heart of any restaurant. 92
Bistro-E incorporated the idea of having both a static and a cycle menu. The static menu helps predict the general trend in orders, allowing them to adjust their staffing and grocery purchases accordingly. Whereas, the cycle menu changes periodically every week or on various occasions, giving both the chef a chance to try out experimental dishes and customers to try out something new. The weekly special includes Grilled Zuklain Egg-plant sandwich and Stuffed Chicken Breast amongst others. The sandwich is heavenly, as it has a perfect blend of grilled eggplant and melted cheese with a splash of spices. The stuffed chicken breast is a mouthful of tender juicy chicken served with boiled veggies and lip-smacking mashed potatoes. The presentation of the meal is absolutely delightful. If you’re not up for a heavy meal, do give their Coffee and their special Yoghurt Pot (Tk 350) a try. They get special coffee beans from North End and are highly appreciated for their fine coffee services. The Yoghurt Pot contains layers of creamy vanilla yoghurt with fresh seasonal fruits topped with crunchy granola goodness and nuts. Go get some! Bistro E Bay's Edgewater,1st Floor, NE (N) 12, North Avenue, Gulshan 2, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Recipes
Meaty Meltdown
Photographs by Abu Naser @Station
Aidha Cader chats up Dan Sullivan, chef at a New York French bistro, during his visit to Dhaka and shares some of his meat based dishes in light of the upcoming Eid festival As I sat down with Dan Sullivan, the first thing I noticed was his level of composure and poise. Dan’s greatest culinary experience was when he worked for John Besh, one of the most renowned and acclaimed celebrity chefs in New Orleans. Over the years Dan’s passion and flare for cooking had grown significantly. “It’s a profession I stumbled upon. I was only sixteen when I first started working as an apprentice at a restaurant,” remarked Dan. He followed his dreams and later graduated from the Culinary Institute of America.
“New Orleans has the most thrilling food culture in America and it was a great privilege for me to work with the likes of John Besh”
Meat Balls Ingredients ½ lb ground lamb ½ lb ground beef 4 oz cooked spinach ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated 1 egg 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 ½ tsp dried basil 1 ½ tsp dried parsley 1 tsp salt ½ tsp chili flakes ½ cup breadcrumbs John Besh’s Tomato Sauce 4 cups fresh tomatoes, chopped into 1-2 inch squares ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil ¼ cup fresh basil 1 tsp granulated sugar ½ tsp chili flakes 2 garlic cloves, sliced Salt and pepper to taste Preparation Meatballs: Mix all the ingredients together with half of the breadcrumbs. Shape it into balls and roll over the remaining breadcrumbs. Place the meatballs over a baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes in a pre heated oven at 400f. Remove it from the oven and set aside. Tomato sauce: Heat oil in a large skittle over high heat and add all the ingredients. Bring it to boil and simmer for five minutes. Using the back of a wooden spoon, crush the tomatoes. Remove from pan and set it to cool for a few minutes. Blend the sauce in a food processor and return it to the stove. Simmer until the sauce thickens and adjust seasoning. Pour the sauce over the meatballs and serve.
“Applying the right amount of heat and specific cooking techniques for specific cuts gives the best result to the dish”
Thai Beef Salad Ingredients 6oz thinly sliced steak, pot-roasted 8 oz shredded lettuce 2 onions, julienned Dressing: 3 green chilies sliced ½ cup cilantro chopped ½ cup mint leaves chopped ½ clove garlic crushed ½ tsp ginger, grated 2 tbsp fish sauce 1 tbsp soy sauce 2 tbsp lime juice 2 tbsp brown sugar 2 tbspsesame oil Preparation Mix dressing ingredients together and set aside. Into a bowl toss the sliced beef with vegetables and mix in the dressing. Serve chilled.
Liver Fritters Ingredients 1 lb beef liver 4 potatoes, peeled & grated 1 carrot, peeled & grated 1 large onion, diced Butter for cooking Salt and pepper to taste A pinch of garam masala Preparation Into a food processor add the liver and make it into a fine mince. In a bowl add the minced liver with all the ingredients and mix well. Make the paste into balls and flatten it by hand. Heat butter in a pan and cook the fritters until it becomes crisp and golden on both sides. Dan’s cooking tips • The leg and shoulder is best cooked on slow flame to release its collagen, which results it to become soft and tender. • The stomach has the most fat and requires fast cooking. • The tenderloin requires less time to cook and is best over a grill. If cooked for too long it will turn dry and unappetising. • For meatballs, use the mince from the meat of the top round.
During his stay in Dhaka, Dan has become quiet accustomed to our local deshi taste. He was in awe with the Chittagong Mezbani style Beef and gourd curry. “People are constantly seeking for new inspirations and taste. This exposure in Dhaka has been a great culinary adventure for me,” he adds. However, Dan was surprised to notice that little attention is given to specific cuts of meat. Traditional meat dishes from Bangladesh are often a ‘mix up’ of meat irrespective of their parts.
Dan was surprised that certain parts of the animal such as the tongue and the oxtail aren’t common dishes here. “While udders, brain and feet are popular delicacies in the Asian subcontinent, I felt Dhaka has undoubtedly opened up my view to a whole new culinary journey.”
Beef Schnitzel Ingredients 2 lbs beef round; sliced into ½ inch slices 6 oz each 1-cup flour 2 cups buttermilk 2 eggs beaten Salt and black pepper to taste ¾ tsp paprika ¼ tsp chili powder 1 cup béchamel sauce seasoned with fresh thyme Preparation Tenderise the meat with a mallet until thin. Beat eggs with buttermilk. Sift flour with salt and spices. Coat the steaks with flour followed by a dipping into the egg wash. Coat it once again in the flour and deep fry in hot oil at 340f. Cook on both sides until golden. Drain on a paper towel. Pour sauce over and serve hot
Croque Madame Ingredients 2 slices of white bread 4 slices of grilled Filet Mignon steaks 2 slices of Emmental cheese 1 tbsp shredded Emmental cheese 5 tbsp butter 4 tbsp flour 4 cups milk Salt and pepper to taste ½ tsp nutmeg ½ tsp whole mustard grain, ground Preparation Sauté the Filet Mignon on a grill pan and cook on ‘medium rare’ keeping a warm centre. Season with salt and pepper and set aside to rest. Once cooled, finely slice the steak. Apply mustard onto the bread. Place a slice of cheese on each slice of bread and sandwich it which the Filet Mignon slice in the centre. Heat 2 tablespoons of butter and fry the sandwich until golden on both sides. Béchamel sauce: Heat the remaining butter with flour to make a roux. Whisk in the hot milk and continue to stir on medium heat until the sauce thickens and smooth. Season it with salt pepper and nutmeg. Simmer for a further ten minutes. Place the sandwich in an ovenproof dish and pour the béchamel sauce over. Sprinkle grated cheese and bake until cheese is melted and golden on top.
Culture Vulture
The bazaar is an iconic symbol of medieval Islamic culture.
Art in the Bazaar
Staying within the fringes of mainstream cultures, Aidha Cader, ICE Today’s culture connoisseur has inculcated an appreciation for food, history, travel and art beyond her comfort zone. 100
The Middle Eastern Bazaar takes you back hundreds, even thousands of years. Its arched gateway of aged brick and stone with Muqarnas vaulted doorways and dimly lit allies are like a maze. You pass from the heat and glare of a big, open square into a cool, dark enclosure that extends as far as the eye can see, losing itself in the shadowy distance. The air is heavy with the smell of saffron, rose, spices and incense. From everyday produce to exotic handicrafts, there’s something for everybody in the bazaar. The carpet We have all heard about the quality and beauty of Persian rugs. Carpet weaving is one of the most distinguished forms of Persian art and dates back to ancient times. Weavers mix elegant patterns with a myriad of
colours. The Iranian carpet is similar to the Persian garden, full of flowers, birds and beasts. Buying a carpet is no easy task; the price can range from $400 - $4000 for a medium size one. This greatly depends on the wool to silk ratio, the number of knots per square inch and the design. The miniature painting The paintings are usually done on small pieces of camel bone or paper and depict local iconic sites, fables and poems. The drawings are made from Photographs by Zareef Cader
During my recent visit to Iran I was blown away by its art and architecture. Every aspect of life is beautified - be it the place of worship or utensils for everyday use. Even the food served is an array of colours, flavours and textures. Walking through bazaars with attached caravanserais and hammams, little seems to have changed in both architecture and ambiance.
Local artisan producing a miniature painting.
cat hairbrush with delicate lines that vary in width. The most masterful and expensive paintings are not necessarily large, but instead incredibly detailed. Persian miniatures use pure geometry, vivid palette of colours and are flat in form. The paintings give a visual reference to the literary plot which makes reading more enjoyable and easier to understand. Pottery and tile work Iranian pottery production presents a continuous history from the beginning to its present day. As we walk through the Imam Shah Mosque, the workshop of tile masons show us an array of different tiles ready to be sold to anyone who is willing to carry the heavy load back home. Tile mosaic is a meticulous technique where glazed tiles are cut and interlocked into complex designs of geometrical and foliate motifs. While the overgrazed painted tiles are relatively easier to make, the designs are painted in coloured glazes and fired. The colours are kept separate by outlines known as ‘dry cord’. Mirror works Mirror art is one of the most delicate architectural decorations in Islamic Iran. It is an art made of regulated shapes in various designs and images with small and big pieces of mirror. As the story goes, in the 10th century when mirrors were imported from Venice, the broken pieces of a mirror were cut into shapes and reused as a new decorative form to avoid waste. In the bazaar of Shiraz, artists create such memorabilia for tourists who want to bring home a piece of Iran. Calligraphy The significance of the art of calligraphy in works of pottery, metallic vessels and historic buildings is all that the eye can see in Iran. An illumination in the Quran was a classic Persian art, which introduced many new fonts and styles such as Nasta'liq, Naskh and Mohaqqaq among others. In the 102
Finished enamelware. A lot of attention is paid to the smaller details of the metalwork.
Islamic Art
bazaars you can buy an illuminated hand written Quran ranging from $600 for copies that are over eighty years old. But the most popular forms of calligraphy are verses from famous Persian poets written in calligraphic Farsi. Metalwork & Painted Enamelware The sounds of tapping and tinkering fill the halls of the bazaars as we walked through the metal section. Sparkling plates, vases, cups, and trays made of silver, tin, copper are richly decorated with inlaid metals using calligraphy, arabesque and geometric decorations. The enamelware goes through a whole second process after the object is moulded out of copper. Once it is formed, it is then coated in a white primer and hand painted with delicate designs and finally heated again. Much like the miniature painting, the finer and more detailed the design, the more expensive it is. The skill and workmanship is evident in the attention to detail and the process is fascinating to watch. Khatam-kari One of my first purchases was one such box. Khatam-kari is the process of combining different coloured woods, bone and metals into geometric patterns that are then applied to boxes, tables, frames, chessboards and clocks. The surface is then sanded smooth with a varnished shiny lustre. Imitation pieces are plentiful best way is to scratch or sand the surface to check if the pattern comes off. The bazaar is a great place to see Islamic art in the making. It is the thread of continuity from past to present, exhibited in a forum where a society meets and intermingle in goods, art and ideas. Carpet weaving is one of the most distinguished forms of Persian art and dates back to ancient times.
Photo Story Nostalgia Overload This Page: An outside view of Palace of Versailles, Paris France Over leaves: Statues inside the Trier Saint Peter's Cathedral, Germany A musician playing inside a subway train, Paris, France Photoshoot in a museum gate near Charles de Gaulle A wharf for fishing near Amsterdam, Netherlands
The beauty of Europe invokes a sense of tranquillity like no other. From the interior of Trier Saint Peter's Cathedral to a passerby blowing on his trumpet, Saud A. Faisal lets us look at Europe in a different, more mystical light. 106
Reminiscence of Europe
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Game On
Team Play Ahmed Parvez picks the National team captain’s gray matter
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Mamunul Islam Mamun hen did you start playing football? From the time I could walk I had my first kick on a football and since then it became my love. It was in my blood, football. My father used to play and my uncle was a professional footballer. One of my uncles was a national award winning sprint athlete from Chittagong. I was born into a family of athletes. What are your earliest memories of Bangladesh football? I used to hear about the rivalry between Mohammedan and Abahani when I was young. We used to watch a lot of matches in the stadium in Chittagong, especially when the two arch rivals met. How did you receive your break as National team captain? I had only played a few matches for the national team when the opportunity came for me after Shujan got injured. I captained a couple of friendly matches against Nepal and Malaysia under coach Titu. When the new coach came, I was chosen as captain and have been playing the role for the last three years now. Name: Mamunul Islam Mamun Age: 26 Bangladesh National Football Team Captain National Team appearances: 34 International goals: 02 Current Club: Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club Jersey number: 8 Position: Defensive Midfielder Favoured foot: Left foot Favourite International Team: Argentina Favourite local clubs: Mohammedan SC and Brothers Union Favourite foreign clubs: Barcelona and Manchester United Favourite players: Monem Munna (Bangladesh), Lionel Messi, Zinedine Zindane and David Beckham
What do you do as captain on the field? I tend to talk in the field because I feel that it is very easy to lose focus of the bigger picture while the game is on. I feel that it is important to help your fellow players focus on the game by constantly reminding them on the field about what to do and when. It keeps the team in a string and also helps each player to give their hundred percent. Why defensive midfield? I like to be at the base of the mid-field so that I can help my team score from
a greater range of passes. I feel that it is a position where a footballer’s involvement in the game is the most. Any special football attribute you practice? I always wanted to be a dead-ball specialist, because those are the situations where a good delivery can create a chance for a goal out of nowhere. I always practice my dead-ball skills and crosses. Your opinion on the current football scene in Bangladesh? We need better infrastructure. I would request the Government to take steps regarding this. Every club requires a stadium. What the football in this country needs most is financial backup. Money needs to be spent on games like football and hockey as opposed to only cricket. Your reaction to Bangladesh Under-16 team winning the SAFF championship? Our young players did a splendid job in the under-16 SAFF tournament. They have a lot of potential and now they need exposure in different countries, conditions and opponents for at least the next five years or so. Are you happy with the general recognition of being Bangladesh’s best footballer in current times? I feel great when the reporters tell me I am one of Bangladesh’s best players and also when my coaches appreciate what I do. Unfortunately, the people of the country do not necessarily recognize the potential we footballers have. I hope this changes and people of the country get to know of the best players from all forms of sports, be it cricket, football or even hockey.
I always wanted to be a dead-ball specialist, because those are the situations where a good delivery can create a chance for a goal out of nowhere. 111
Winners Take All
Ahmed Parvez reviews the SAFF under-16 final
On August 18, we saw the Sylhet District Divisional stadium flooded with football enthusiasts. The skies were grim in consistency with the sequel of day-long showers all over the country. The cloud-ridden weather, the sticky playing conditions and the bustle of the weekday could not waver the fervour of the local crowd one bit. The capacity of nearly twenty-five thousand was filled up for the much anticipated final between hosts Bangladesh and visiting India. The SAFF Under-16 football 112
tournament was at its climax with arguably the two best sides of the 6-team tournament going head-to-head for the title of the third edition of this tournament. As prelude to the tournament, Bangladesh was termed underdogs, after failing to reach the finals in the first two editions of this age-level contest. India was the defending champion, winning the trophy a couple of years ago in Nepal, and was considered favourites this time around as well. The pressure on Bangladesh was built up due to the simple fact that it was hosting the event for the first time. Bangladesh had reached the finals defeating India in its final group stage bout by 2 goals to 1. The emerging talents of the country had stepped up to the pedestal and seemed a well-oiled machine on their way to the final, drubbing Sri Lanka 4-0, and also handing a 1-0 defeat to Afghanistan in the semi-finals. With each step forward, the hopes around the young footballers of the country escalated.
At 2-2 after two rounds, the pressure was intense on Bangladesh’s next spot-kick taker Atik and he made no mistake either. Furthermore, the media coverage helped their success reach out to the masses. The presence of a full-house each time Bangladesh took, the field came as a breath of fresh air in the resurgence of the beautiful game in our country. As the national anthem of both sides echoed in the noisy Sylhet Divisional Stadium, the feeling of anticipation captured the uncertainties regarding Bangladesh coming so close to winning a SAFF football competition in years. Bangladesh seemed to be a gear ahead of its opponent right from the first whistle; the anomalies of friction and evenness of the playing ground seemed to suit the hosts. The Indian mid-field made a conscious effort to keep the ball, and organise well-structured attacks but it was always the Bangladesh counter attack that looked more promising each time India’s attack broke out. A few half-chances were squandered around India’s D-box, as a low drive from Bangladesh’s Shawon went straight to the keeper in the 21st minute while a headed opportunity went over the post a couple of minutes later. A fluent Bangladesh side kept the Indian defence on its toes, as the first half ended 0-0. A minute into the second half, Bangladesh got its reward for all the attacking flare shown. A cross from the right found a Bangladesh forward who glanced it down with his head to Fahim. The young mid-fielder showed immense confidence as he back-heeled the ball past the Indian goal-keeper into the net, giving the hosts a deserving 1-0 lead and the crowd an occasion to scream their hearts out chanting ‘Bangladesh, Bangladesh!’ India had to press up high. The few minutes after Bangladesh took the lead gave way to some nervy moments as a flurry of chances came India’s way. Each time the attacks being fended off by Bangladesh’s defence, with special credit to goal-keeper Faisal Ahmed. India even had a goal disallowed for offside and it seemed that even lady luck was on the host’s side. It needed a stupendous solo effort in the 63rd minute from Indian mid-fielder Amay Avinash to bring the visitors back in the game. From around 40 yards out, he lashed out a beautiful strike that rocketed to the top corner and the score was even once again. The men in red who
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banked on fast-paced counter attacking play had to shift gears again looking for a decider. Approaching the 90-minute mark, the deadlock was yet to be broken. The tired legs from both sides were exposed on a wet and sticky Sylhet surface. It was time to decide the match on penalties as both teams converged into separate huddles to make last minute discussions. Bangladesh had to take the first shot. Fahim made no mistake sliding a side-footer to the keeper’s left and into the net. The keeper guessed right, but failed to reach the ball. India forward Saurabh emulated Fahim’s attempt and made it 1-1. Jahangir wrong-footed the Indian keeper, making it 2-1 in the host’s favour and Rakip converted his shot in return. At 2-2 after two rounds, the pressure was intense on Bangladesh’s next spot-kick taker Atik and he made no mistake either. But his counterpart hit the bar giving Bangladesh a 3-2 lead. Saad scored the fourth penalty leaving India’s Saqlain in a must-score situation. Bangladesh keeper Faisal Ahmed leaped to his right and got a hold of Saqlain’s weak attempt. The entire Bangladesh team converged on the keeper as the elated crowd jumped off their feet waving the Bangladesh flag. Bangladesh completed a memorable 4-2 victory in the tie-breaker scenario to clinch the SAFF under-16 title for the first time. The winner’s trophy was given away to the Bangladesh skipper by Kazi Salauddin, former football legend and current President of Bangladesh Football Federation, in presence of the cream of Bangladesh Football including Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Arif Khan Joy.
Heroes Dr. Kaniz Hasina Sheuli with Nazma Khatun and baby Suraiya
Rubab Nayeem Khan investigates how a team of super-dedicated surgeons and medics at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital saved the life of bullet-injured baby Suraiya
The Miracle Workers Babies are blessed souls who fill their surroundings with joy. However, for one particular newborn or rather ‘unborn’ child, life took a terrifying turn. Just two months ago, Suraiya, now an infant, became a victim of a gun-shot wound when her eight months pregnant mother, Nazma Khatun was shot in the lower abdomen during a factional clash between derailed political activists.
Nazma didn’t expect that she’d get to see her child alive, let alone hold her
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On July 23, bullet ridden Nazma was immediately taken to Magura General Hospital where she went through an emergency two-hour caesarean. However, Suraiya was still in cross-hairs; the bullet pierced through her right shoulder and damaged her eye. The premature, bullet borne baby was sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for extensive care. Dr. Kaniz Hasina Sheuli, Associate Professor of the Paediatric Department along with a team of surgical experts worked their wonders to give little Suraiya the breath of life she deserved. A bullet-survivor, Suraiya’s journey didn’t just stir up Magura - the doctors at DMCH were equally overwhelmed. “We’ve never come across a case like this before,” claimed Dr. Kaniz. Magura General Hospital’s Senior Surgery Consultant Dr. Shafiur Rahman decided to operate on Nazma immediately and deliver the baby in order to save both mother and daughter. “It was God’s grace and Dr. Shafiur Rahman’s accurate decision together that saved Nazma and Suraiya for which we could do our part,” expressed Dr.
Kaniz with a sigh of relief. When this tiny child was brought to them with a bullet injury it was indeed a matter of concern. The doctors didn’t know for sure if they’d be able to save this little soul and that too with multiple injuries. Baby Suraiya’s condition came as a jolt; hence they put in all their effort to save this child. According to Dr. Kaniz, the bullet had pierced through the left side of Nazma’s uterus and went right through Suraiya’s right shoulder. However, it got lodged inside the flesh of the abdominal wall. The operating surgeon found the bullet inside the accumulated flesh. Luckily for Nazma and her daughter, it was the pregnancy that saved them to begin with. “The weight of Suraiya inside Nazma pushed her organs upwards, thus the bullet went through her uterus without damaging an organ or vessel,” elaborated Dr. Kaniz. Upon discussing about Suraiya’s health, the paediatric surgeon said that the baby came in severely injured with five wounds - including one at the back of her chest as well as in front. She also came in with injuries on her
Photographs by Kazi Mukul
Saving Baby Suraiya
Meet the Saviours: Secretary General Md Abdul Hanif Tablu Professor, Dept of Paediatric Surgery; Dr. Kaniz Hasina Sheuli, Associate Professor, Paediatric Department; Ashraf ul Haque Kajol, Professor, Paediatric Surgery Head; Prof Abid Hossain Mullah, Professor Neo Natalogy, Chairperson of the Medical Board; Dr. Kamrul Alam, Associate Professor Thoracic Surgery; Dr. Nawazesh, Plastic Surgery, Associate Professor; Golam Mostafa, Orthopaedics, Associate Professor
July 23
Nazma and Suraiya were shot in the factional clash between Jubo League men. Nazma is taken to Magura General Hospital immediately. She went through a two-hour caesarean.
July 26
Baby Suraiya was sent to DMCH for treatment.
July 29
The surgical team operates on Suraiya. She was kept in NeoNatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) post surgery.
neck, hand, shoulder and eye. “We are consulting with Dr. Faridul Hassan, Associate Professor for Ophthalmology in order to treat her damaged eye,” mentioned Dr. Kaniz. “We brought in three specialists from National Institute of Ophthalmology who further examined Suraiya. The injuries and pain on her eyes formed a traumatic cataract,” Dr. Kaniz further explained. A surgery will be required to heal Suraiya’s eyesight, but not until she is fully stable. Her remaining wounds were stitched and they have healed completely. The premature Suraiya is out of danger for now but her injuries expose her to potential health hazards. “An average child is born in thirty-eight to forty weeks, but Suraiya was born in thirty-three weeks and that too with injuries. With her conditions, she may be prone to infections but if treated right, they can be prevented,” informed Dr. Kaniz. She also estimates that because of an injured eye, there is an avenue for complications. Dr. Kaniz explained that when Suraiya was born, she didn’t cry for an approximate eight minutes. Her brain
didn’t receive the oxygen she’s supposed to get from the first few minutes of crying. So it’s difficult to determine whether this has affected the development of her brain in anyway. Although the odds were not in favour of Suraiya, the surgical team was not only able to heal her wounds but also give her the gift of life. Her mother has recovered and is celebrating the reunion with her daughter. “Nazma didn’t expect that she’d get to see her child alive, let alone hold her. Fortunately she hasn’t undergone any psychological imbalance after the surgery. She is very happy,” exclaimed Dr. Kaniz. The doctors at DMCH completed the necessary treatments for Suraiya’s condition. Alongside treatment, they’ve also prescribed preventive measures such as breastfeeding properly (at least for five months). Since she is low on immunity, it is essential for her mother to maintain a sense of hygiene at all times. After the week long battle for survival, things are beginning to look up for Nazma and Suraiya already, since they are both stable and out of harm’s way. 117
Events
Asian BBQ Buffet at Amari If you’re up for barbeques, Amaya brings to you an offer you can’t resist. Amari’s signature all day dining will transform into a great big playground with varieties of BBQ items with its regular buffet at BDT 2500++ for dinner only. Setting a new gourmet scene in Dhaka, Amaya makes its debut with four distinct live kitchens showcasing the finest cuisines from Asia. BBQ lovers will get the opportunity to enjoy the flavours of herb marinated lamb chops, lamb kofta, chili & lime chicken skewers, grilled marinated chicken thigh, chicken satay, seafood skewers, grilled crab, Thai marinated fish, marinated calamari, vegetable skewers, potato wedges with choice of sauces and condiments, BBQ sauce, black pepper sauce, lemon wedges, and mushroom sauce, dijon mustard and many more exciting items. All these exciting flavours will be available with the regular buffet price bdt 2500++ per person.This special offer is open for dinner only. For more information, please call 88 02 55059620, 8801777796444 or email: reservations.dhaka@amaya.com;
BVLGARI launches new perfume Bvlgari Aqva Divina In Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, reputed import company Best in Brands Pvt Limited, organised a launching of their new perfume Bvlgari Aqva Divina. The company’s General Manager Mirza Bulbul Kabir Tuhin, Operation Manager Hadrien Cassin and Marketing Manager Talia Saltiel were present there along with corporate personalities, business representatives, along with reputed journalists. The top notes of the perfume have salty bergamot and pink ginger, heart notes have beeswax. Its a lovely fragrance for women and is being imported and distributed magnolia and sunlit quince and by Best in Brands Private Ltd. Its availabe in Yellow, Artisti, Ecstacy, base notes have nude amber and Rainbow-Pink City, O2- Bashundhara City, Perfume World and Diamond World. 118
Le Meridien Launches Favola Le Méridien Dhaka has already launched its signature Italian restaurant Favola, which means ‘fable’ or ‘story’ in Italian. Step into an era of transition where traditional Italian gastronomy infuses with contemporary flavours. The hotel partnered with The City Bank Limited American Express to introduce the restaurant to some of the most significant patrons of the capital with an exclusive preview menu tasting on Thursday night, 13 August. Made to enjoy soul-warming meals with your loved ones and business associates alike, Favola has a distinct, cosy and rustic feeling of home in Italy juxtaposed against modern and chic expressions of art and culture. Cheerful and friendly, the delicious aromas emanating from its fire oven arranged in an open-kitchen style invites people to come join the fun. The menu reveals simple yet classic Italian fare. A large selection of appetisers, salads, soups, fire oven pizzas and fresh handmade pasta are just some of the delicious options available. The restaurant may accommodate up to ninety guests, and keeping in mind the relaxed pace of dining and hence prior reservation is highly recommended. Guests are invited to call +8801723595463 for further information or table booking.
Stylus hits the market ACI has recently unveiled a range of smart phones and feature phones under the brand name Stylus. According to Mr. Syed Alamgir, Executive Director, ACI Consumer Brands, According to Business Manager Mr. Rafiq Uddin, every single Stylus handset has been designed keeping in mind the ever changing nature and diverse needs of users. One of the first Smart Phones to enter the market runs on Octa Core Processor along with 4000 mAh battery, a combination that will be the foremost choice of consumers who are heavy duty internet users. This particular model, the O65, comes with an attractive smart flip cover absolutely free of cost. The other Smart Phone is the Q75 which runs on Quad Core processor and Android’s latest Version – Lollipop, and comes with a 5” HD Display. The feature phone P76 has 2.8” display, JAVA and includes 128/64 memory support and users can stay connected on social media like Facebook and WhatsApp just as easily as smartphone users. Several more attractive and state of the art smartphones are 120
soon to become available in the market and they are also expected to meet the core needs of users and prospective customers. Although Stylus is currently only available in Dhaka and Chittagong, customers can soon get their favorite Stylus devices from mobile phone outlets throughout the country.
AB Bank’s Presentation on Steel and Engineering On August 8th, AB Bank Limited and Policy Research Institute jointly organised a discussion and presentation on steel and engineering for bank officials, energy sector and on foreign currency borrowing
research article. AB Bank's President and Managing Director Shamim Ahmed Chowdhury inaugurated the program and Chairman of the Board of Directors AB. Wahidul was present at the ceremony. The renowned economist and researcher Dr. Ahsan H Mansur, executive director of the Policy Research Institute presented a paper. Forty-five banks took part in the official ceremony. The main objective of the event was the most important sector in the past, present and future context of discussing the policy to help banks.
choose single package for one year membership at Tk 100,000, six months at Tk 55,000, three months at Tk30,000 and one month membership at Tk 15,000. This program is also offering couple package for one year membership at Tk 175,000, six months at Tk 95,000, three months at Tk 52,000 and one month membership at Tk 25,000. Also we have daily use package at Tk 1,200 for singles and Tk 2,000 for couples. Members will get a consultation with a Fitness Instructor upon joining the health club. Our gym hours are from 06:00am to 11:00pm and swimming pool is open from 07:00am to 09:00pm daily. Address: House-19, Road- 96, Gulshan-2, Dhaka. Six Seasons Hotel has added a new elevation to its service by newly introducing For Reservation-01987009828 the Health Club Membership at Seasons Fitness Centre. The Seasons Fitness E-mail-info.sixseasonshotel.com Centre at Six Seasons Hotel, offers a wide range of fully equipped fitness facilities Web- www.sixseasonshotel.com and state-of-the-art gymnasium on level-14 with steam, sauna, 15th floor rooftop Facebook- www.facebook.com/ 15 meter first hanging infinity swimming pool in Dhaka and relaxation areas to all sixseasonshotel members. The program is offered for singles as well as for couples and guests can
Seasons Fitness Centre at Six Seasons Hotel
Lovello Ice Cream 122
Taufika Foods and Agro Industries Limited will launch “Lovello,” a new name in the ice cream department which is soon to hit the stores soon. From now on ice cream lovers can find “Lovello” on Facebook. Anybody can share their opinions about the flavours by liking the page fb/clublovello. “Lovello” will keep trying utmost to acquire the love of ice cream lovers. For detail please log on to www.lovello.club
Events
Childhood
Revisited
Photographs by Ashraf Uddin Apu
Fatima Faheem steps into the world of fantasy at the Dhaka Pop Culture Expo
Cartoons, comics, and fairytales played a major role in shaping our personality when growing up. Our childhoods held wishes to be a Disney princess, defend the people of Gotham or even embody the villains themselves. Once again, Dhaka Pop Culture Expo has provided a grand platform for fans to amass, enjoy and delight in the things they love – comic books, movies, video games, cartoons as well as anime! On July 31 and August 1, 2013, in Baridhara DOHS, Convention Centre, pop culture fans showed up, dressing up like their favourite characters. Yes, they were cosplaying – it’s a relatively new phenomenon in Bangladesh. However, within a short space of time, the Dhaka Pop Culture Expo has become quite popular, with events taking place twice a year. Their main goal is to celebrate all the fantasy characters that have been inspiring us since childhood. Ardent fans prepared costumes and rehearsed for dance and drama performances weeks before the event took place. Those who weren’t part of the cosplay could join in the fun too, collecting selfies with different characters. Several stalls, such as We Draw Stuff, Postersmith and Geekaroo, were set up all around the place selling merchandise such as comic books, posters, T-shirts and action figures. To keep fans energised, there were several food stands selling fast food and beverages. As enthusiasm for these events grows, the organisers intend to organise Pop Culture events outside Dhaka, like Chittagong, Sylhet and other places.
Unlocking the treasure trove of local arts
L
e Méridien Dhaka and Bengal Art Lounge, a leading art gallery in the country signed a non-commercial partnership in July to help guests of the hotel to better engage in the local contemporary art scene. The partnership is critical for the rollout of one of the brand programmes of Le Méridien, Unlock Art. The agreement has been signed by Managing Director Nawshin Khair and Director Luva Nahid Choudhury of Bengal Art Lounge and by General Manager Ashwani Nayar and Marketing Communications Manager Zaireen Sultana Lupa of Le Méridien Dhaka. Manager of Bengal Art Lounge Hadrien Diez and Experience Specialist of Le Méridien Dhaka Rose Delos Reyes were present at the event. Under the terms of the Unlock Art Partnership, guests of Le Méridien Dhaka will be encouraged to visit the local contemporary cultural centre throughout the year at Bengal Art Lounge. Furthermore, Bengal Art Lounge will also provide a cultural experience directly to the guests of Le Méridien Dhaka by organising arts-related events in the premises of the hotel on a periodical basis. Hotels under the brand have been establishing this unique partnership with contemporary cultural centres within their destinations across the world to provide guests with easy access to ‘unlocking’ a local contemporary cultural experience. Unlock Art Partnerships aim to present to all guests of Le Méridien a doorway to a new perspective that are executed in an original, refined and sophisticated way. “Le Méridien Dhaka expects to add a completely new dimension of hospitality in Bangladesh,” summarised Ashwani Nayar. “We are an arts and design inspired hotel with a substantial collection of contemporary art installations ourselves. And now the Unlock Art programme will help us to gain momentum where our guests may visit Bengal Art Lounge to view works of contemporary Bangladeshi artists.” “This partnership is in line with our strategy to project a culturally rich Bangladesh to global audiences,” explained Luva Nahid Choudhury. “Bengal Art Lounge is a platform where the public can engage with the creativity of Bangladeshi 128
contemporary artists, and we are delighted to propose this experience to the distinguished guests of Le Méridien,” added Nawshin Khair. Guests of Le Méridien are, upon check-in, presented with collectible keycards designed by commissioned LM100 artists that open more than guestrooms and suites; they provide special access to partner local cultural centres, allowing them to witness artistic expressions of how present-day events affect the society – an opportunity that Le Méridien guests of Dhaka may now enthusiastically look forward to. The LM100 artists are each known for a select area of art. Yan Lei born in Hebei, China is one of the most influential and prominent artists internationally as well as locally. He is best known for his minimalist abstracts featuring portraits of blurry and confused scenes. :MentalKlinik, the artist duo from Istanbul, is renowned for pushing the limits of interdisciplinary methods so as to incorporate sound, text, action, object and form in their work. Jimmy Cohrssen, on the other hand, garnered worldwide acclaim for his lighting skills and mastery of commercial and architectural photography.
Realms of Memory: Bipasha Hayat’s Fourth Solo Exhibition
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ince 2011, Bipasha has had four solo exhibitions other than the numerous joint ones she participated in. She always kept herself involved in colours and the canvas even though she was occupied with different ventures – this in turn made way for her first solo exhibition “Bhromi Bishshoye” in 2011. Her most recent effort “Realms of Memory” concluded on 29th August at the Bengal Art Lounge. “I wanted to reinvent myself through art,” shared the painter. Bipasha never gave up art even with all the demanding toil she had to give to her acting career. She discovered that when she finally started work for her exhibition she had become a different person. There was a transformation. This, to her, was very normal – change is constant and inevitable. She took a decade long break from painting since completing her MFA from Fine Arts Institute of Dhaka University. In contrast to when she is involved in acting or writing, Bipasha considers art to be a solo endeavour. She wanted to give voice and form to the inconceivable abstracts of this world’s reality. According to Bipasha, she always uses solid colours which she is trying to change. She experimented to see if she was able to communicate more openly with the canvas. Through trials, she 132
The floating forms in my work reflect the broken particles of my memory” tried out different textures and colours. Her distinctive painting technique combines the application of colour while scratching selected parts of the painted surface. It's a symbolic attempt to penetrate the essence of memory and to awake the feelings it contains. “The floating forms in my work reflect the broken particles of my memory,” Bipasha explains. “And the lines that separate them evoke my present existence. The canvas provides a space to relate to both the past and present and to connect with my basic emotions.” Although at first she was discouraged by many to pursue art alongside acting, her passion for it was unwavering. She actively practised her craft throughout the years as well as keeping tabs on the happenings in the local as well as international art scenes. The struggle was real.