Sayera’s New Year special Dhar Dharina-2

Sayera Reza’s Dhar Dharina was a massive hit song of 2008 which was written by Shahan Kabandha and composed by Bappa Mazumder. 
The song became popular due to its nice and easy lyrics, melodious music style and above all Sayera’s unique voice. Recently she has produced the sequel 2 of this popular number which was written, tuned and composed by the young and talented music director Avraal Sahir. Sayera has also produced a big-budget and glamourous music video of the song that was released as a GP Music Exclusive track on  December 20. 
The dazzling music video of Dhar Dharina 2 was released in Sayera's official You Tube channel titled ‘Sayera Reza.’ It has already created massive buzz in the social media as it has gained over 150,000 views in just four days. Two social media stars of the time - Toya and Tamim Mridha were featured in the music video who added fantastic colours to the video with their ravishing dance performance. We saw sequels of movies before, but Dhar Dharina 2 is the first ever sequel song in Bangladeshi Music Industry. 
Sayera released so far four solo albums titled Shukher Omil, Ak Nimishe, Urban Folks and Nidagire and numerous mixed albums. She also did quite a few playback songs in movies like Common Gender, The Pirates, etc. Some of her playback songs are in the process of being released. She is a busy stage performer both at home and abroad. 
With her exquisite tone and style, Sayera is one of the ‘Go To’ female singers of Bangladesh music industry at the moment.

Katrina – Shahid come together finally

For years they’ve been missing the opportunity to work together. But finally now Shahid Kapoor and Katrina Kaif will work together in Toilet – Ek Prem Katha director Shree Narayan Singh’s next Batti Gul Meter Chalu.

The pair has missed being together for years now. Katrina was offered Raj Kumar Santoshi’s Phata Poster Nikla Hero and Vikas Behl’s Shaandaar opposite Shahid. Both the times Katrina opted out citing a date problem.

Apparently, Shahid Kapoor had told mutual friends he felt Katrina Kaif was deliberately avoiding working with him. “So this time although Katrina again had a date issue she decided do Shree Narayan Singh’s film, come what may, more so because it gives her a chance to play a small-town girl. She will brush up her Hindi to sound convincing.”

Katrina Kaif has apparently beaten Shraddha Kapoor and Bhumi Pednekar to grab the role opposite Shahid Kapoor in Batti Gul Meter Chalu.

ICT can drive away graft

Corruption will be eliminated from the country if the information and communications technology is used properly, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said yesterday.

“The most effective tool to fight corruption will be the ICT,” he said at The Daily Star ICT Awards ceremony in the capital's Le Méridien Hotel yesterday.

Two individuals and five local IT firms were awarded by The Daily Star and Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) for their outstanding contribution to the country's fast growing ICT industry.

The event was organised in association with Microsoft Bangladesh Ltd, the country office of the world's leading technology company, and private commercial lender Brac Bank, with Le Méridien as hospitality partner.

Within five to seven years, the ICT sector would reach such a point where no one would be able to do without it, he said.

“We will do everything riding on the ICT,” said Muhith, who handed over trophies to the winners.

M Rezaul Hassan, group chief executive officer of REVE Systems, an internationally acclaimed Bangladeshi software firm, won the ICT Business Person of the Year award.

A Towhid, a shareholder director of IBCS-PRIMAX Software (Bangladesh) Ltd, bagged the ICT Pioneer of the Year award. The IT firm focuses on onshore and offshore software development and systems integration.

Of the five winning firms, Chaldal Limited, an online shop based in the capital, got the e-Business of the Year award. Brain Station 23 Limited got the ICT Solution Provider of the Year award in the global market focus category.

The ICT Solution Provider of the Year award in the local market focus category went to LEADS Corporation Ltd.

Sheba.xyz Platform Ltd, a start-up company that became the country's largest service marketplace online, won the ICT Start-up of the Year award while Pathao, a leading local ride-hailing service, got the ICT Start-up of the Year award.

Sheikh Abdul Wahid, managing director of LEADS Corporation Ltd; Raisul Kabir, managing director of Brain Station 23 Ltd; Zia Ashraf, CEO of Chaldal.com; Adnan Imtiaz Halim, CEO of Sheba.xyz; Hussain M Elius, CEO of Pathao; M Rezaul Hassan and A Towhid received the awards from the finance minister.

Muhith was flanked by State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Brac Bank Managing Director and CEO Selim RF Hussain, and BASIS President Mustafa Jabbar.

Bangladesh has experienced considerable growth in information technology in recent years and the ICT landscape now includes numerous firms -- both old and new -- working tirelessly to deliver services to their customers.

The Daily Star introduced the awards in 2016 to propagate the development in the sector and recognise the front-runners who can serve as benchmarks for others.

The awards also aim to recognise the excellent works in the ICT sector, encourage the ICT community to strengthen the ICT ecosystem, create an environment that sustains entrepreneurial spirit, and support the young ICT entrepreneurs to utilise their potentials.

Yesterday's programme began with the rendering of songs of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra by five emerging singers, as the ceremony was held in the month of victory.

In his speech, the finance minister thanked The Daily Star and the BASIS for initiating the awards.

He also gave an example of a college in Sylhet which saw its collection of fees and other charges rise more than 10 times to 82 lakh a year because of the use of ICT.

Palak said Bangladesh was no longer a bottomless basket; rather it is a model of development and possibilities.

“Now the youths raise demands for cutting internet costs, making internet available everywhere and setting up digital labs at every schools.”

Thousands of students who graduate every year do not look for jobs. “Rather they want to be entrepreneurs, establish start-up companies and get access to finance,” said the state minister.

At present, 40 percent of the services provided by the government are available online and it will go up to 90 percent by 2021. “The government is doing all this in collaboration with the private sector.”

BASIS President Mustafa Jabbar thanked the present government for meeting all the demands of the ICT sector.

“Bangladesh's ICT sector has advanced so much that now we are exporting products in the area of Internet of Things to Japan whereas we are a country that used to import technology from Japan.”

angladeshi firms have gained the capacity to meet the government's demand for IT and IT-enabled services and also raise the exports from the sector to $5 billion by 2021, he said.

Selim RF Hussain said this admirable initiative is aimed at recognising the star performers in the ICT sector who are role models for future entrepreneurs and are helping people understand the importance of this sector.

He pointed out that the growth of smartphone and smart devices has resulted in accelerated internet penetration.

The response from IT-enabled services and software companies is commendable, and the country is starting to see a real surge in e-commerce, he added.

In a video message, Sonia Bashir Kabir, managing director of Microsoft Bangladesh, said technology enables individuals and firms to do more.

“Bangladesh has every opportunity to make it big as all countries start from the same level,” noted Sonia.

Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star, said Bangladesh might be lagging behind many countries in many areas. But when it comes to IT, the country has advanced a lot and made extraordinary progress.

Some of the Bangladeshi IT companies are also doing well abroad, he noted.

“This proven success of some of our IT companies abroad shows that our IT has developed to global standards and a lot more can be achieved through collective efforts.”

Constantinos S Gavriel, general manager of Le Méridien Dhaka, said he strongly believes that the winners of the awards would change the country and the economy for the better.

According to the ICT division, Bangladesh's export earning from the ICT sector reached $800 million. It will cross $1 billion landmark soon, riding on growth of more than 1,500 firms and 40 offshore development centres.

The sector got a huge boost in 2008 when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid out the vision of building a Digital Bangladesh by 2021.

Since then, the industry has gone on to become a huge hub for freelance work via online marketplaces such as Upwork, punching with heavyweights like India and the US.

The government's target is to earn $5 billion from exports of IT and IT-enabled services by 2021.

I leave my persona behind while playing a role: Rani Mukerji

Rani Mukerji has always had a strong connect with the audiences and the actor believes people find her relatable because she never brings her real- life persona on screen.

In her new film Hichki, which is her first after the birth of her daughter Adira, Rani plays the role of a woman who does not let her speech disability come in the way of achieving her dream of becoming a teacher.

“Whenever I play a character in a film, I try to remove Rani Mukerji and emotionally connect with the part. If a person sitting in a cinema hall can forget who you really are and believes you are the character, that’s the real victory for an actor,” Rani said.

“I want people to forget that they are watching a Rani Mukerji film and get invested in the character,” she added.

The actor said she has always been attracted to complex roles and this was one of the main reasons to accept Hichki.

In the film, Rani plays a woman with Tourette syndrome, a condition that forces an individual to make involuntary repetitive movements or sounds.

“For somebody to take their weakness and turn it into strength… It holds a positive message.

I truly believe that all of us have a weakness that we know but we try to camouflage it as we have to put up a hard exterior in front of the world. If one can make their weakness their strength, the world can become a good place.”

Rani is not new to playing challenging roles. She played a deaf and blind woman in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Black.

The actor said one has to be careful with such roles as there is always a probability to look like a caricature.

“It is with all my films. I take special care because it may become a caricature. There is always a thin line. I have been taking feedback on this film from day one. After every shot, I ensured that if I do the tick, it should appear natural. I would constantly check with Siddharth (director).

It was important to look authentic.”

The movie, produced by Yash Raj Films, also highlights the topic of literacy and Rani said the right to education cannot be gender specific.

“Education is the right of every human being, irrespective of the gender. In India, a state like Kerala has the highest percentage of literacy, we should take that as an example. Once there is a change in the attitude, it can make a huge difference. Both men and women are working today and education should not be gender specific.”

Directed by Siddharth P Malhotra and produced by Maneesh Sharma, Hichki will release across India on February 23, next year, reports PTI.

Markram century lifts South Africa against Zimbabwe as first 4-day Test starts

Aiden Markram scored a second century in his third Test as South Africa moved on to 251 for four on the first day of the one-off day-night Test against Zimbabwe at St George’s Park on Tuesday.

But AB de Villiers’ return to the Test arena after an almost two-year hiatus ended in disappointment when he was caught and bowled for 53 just as he started accelerating and promised another characteristically flamboyant innings.

Markram scored 125 before being caught behind by wicketkeeper Brendan Taylor off Kyle Jarvis just before the dinner break, leaving Temba Bavuma not out on 35 after the first two sessions of the first ever four-day Test.

Christopher Mpofu snared De Villiers with an athletic catch after earlier taking the equally prized wicket of Hashim Amla for five.

Dean Elgar (31) was the first South Africa dismissed after an opening partnership of 72 with Markram, when he chipped the ball to mid-wicket and was caught by Peter Moor off Jarvis.

Markram, who made a promising debut against Bangladesh in September, reached his century off 175 balls.

De Villiers, who had not played a Test since early 2016 as he concentrated on limited-overs cricket, quickly reached his half century off 62 balls.

It was his 40th Test fifty but he was out three deliveries later as Mpofu took a fine catch after De Villiers checked his shot and hit the ball straight back to the bowler.

De Villiers stepped in as captain when Faf du Plessis pulled out through illness and won the toss as South Africa look for a good showing before three home Tests against top-ranked India next month.

Nuton seeks financial support for making Liberation War based documentary

Notun was heroine of after independence country’s first Liberation War based movie late Chashi Nazrul Islam directed Ora 11 Jon. With the context of the war, contemporary and its surrounding issues Notun is going to make a documentary which will be based on Liberation War. She has already prepared its script for making the documentary. But she urged the Prime Minister to give her financial support in this regard. 
While talking at a programme Notun attracted the attention of presented Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque said, “I was heroine of movie Ora 11 Jon. During the war time I sacrificed a lot. I became an actress after sacrificing a lot.  I have no huge amount of money. I passed my whole life with many sufferings. Now I want to make a documentary which will be based on Liberation War. I need financial assistance from our Prime Minister in this regard. I believe our PM will help me. I want to fulfil my many days’ dream.”
Current year Notun acted two movies were released. These were - Ahankar and Rongbaaj. She has planned to work in several numbers of films in 2018. Ratna was her family name. While starting acting late Sumita Devi gave the name Nuton. 
In 1969, she debuted by movie Notun Probhat. Later she acted in 300 movies. She also got the National Film Award. She was born at Brahmapolli in Mymensingh. Her elder sister Geeta was also engaged with acting. So, Notun also came in this arena.      

Registration for classical music festival opens again

The online registration for the 6th Edition of Bengal Classical Music Festival, which commenced on Tuesday night at the Abahani Playground in Dhanmondi, opens again from 10 am on Wednesday.

The website address of online registration, which is mandatory for the entry of Bengal classical music festival, is www.bengalclassicalmusicfest.com.

The Bengal Foundation is organising the festival, which will continue till December 30, with a view to popularising and perpetuating the practice of classical music.

The event was dedicated to eminent educationist, researcher and cultural exponent Professor Emeritus Dr Anisuzzaman.

This year's festival was initiated with a soothing performance of Raga Abhogi by Dr L Subramaniam on violin, with the sophisticated support of Sriram Murthy on mridangam, PanditTanmoy Bose on tabla and SathyaSaiGhantasala on the morning.

This was elevated in a fury of notes by the Astana Symphony Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by BerikBatyrkhan, as they performed a symphony by TlessKazhgaliyev. They also performed parts of P Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake.

According to the schedule of the second day (December 27), Kathak by Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company, Tabla by Bengal Parampara Sangeetalay, Santoor by Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, Khayal by Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar, Sitar by Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan, Dhrupad by Avijiit Kundu, Bengal Parampara Sangeetalay, flute by Pandit Ronu Majumdar and Sarod by Pandit Debojyoti Bose will provide a different flavour to the music lovers.

On the third day (December 28), Sitar by Bengal Parampara Sangeetalay, Ghatam & Kanjeera by Vidwan Vikku Vinayakram and Selvaganesh Vinayakram, Khayal by Govt Music College, Sarod by Abir Hossain, Flute by Gazi Abdul Hakim, Dhrupad by Pandit Uday Bhawalkar, Violin by Vidushi Kala Ramnath, Khayal by Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty will enthrall the audience.

The fourth day (December 29) of the event will present the dance offerings: Manipuri, Bharatnatyam and Kathak, by Sweety Das, Amit Chowdhury, Snata Shahrin, Sudeshna Shyamaprabha, Mehraj Haque TusharTabla by Nilesh Ranadive while Sarod by Bengal Parampara Sangeetalay, Khayal by Ustad Rashid Khan, Sarod by Pandit Tejendra Narayan Majumdar and Violin by Dr Mysore Manjunath, Khayal by Pandit Jasraj, Cello by Saskia Rao de-Haas, Sitar by Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee.

On the last day (December 30) of the event, the audience will enjoy the beautiful performance of Odissi by Vidushi Sujata Mohapatra, Mohan Veena by Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Khayal by Brajeswar Mukherjee, Sitar by Pandit Kushal Das and Kalyanjit Das, Khayal by Pandit Kaivalyakumar, Flute by Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia.

The Bengal Foundation has been organising the festival since 2012 aiming to revive the lost heritage of the rich classical music.unb.