Syed Ashik Rahman’s “Bangabandhur Rajnoitik Jibon o Bangladesher Obbhyudoy” won National Film Award 2020 in the Best Documentary category. The documentary is a tribute to the nation’s architect, the supreme leader and progenitor of sovereign Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.   Today, 23rd of March, in the prize giving ceremony of the National film Award 2020, The Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina granted this award in Mr    Sayed Ashik Rahman’s hand. (On behalf of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Information Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud handed over the film award to Syed Ashik Rahman.) The documentary was researched, scripted, music composed and directed by Syed Sabab Ali Arju. The length of the documentary was 2 hours 27 minutes and produced under Bengal Multimedia Ltd. This documentary portrays the life of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibor Rahman from his birth 1920 till his death 15th August,1975. Both the vast and diversified political life of Bangabandhu and the unforgettable support of various governments around the world in the liberation war of 1971 has portrayed in this canvas. As well as the political supporters and opponents of Bangladesh’s liberation war are splendidly resurfaced in the documentary.    After receiving the award, Director of Bengal Multimedia Ltd and CEO of Rtv Mr.  Syed Ashik Rahman said – “I made this film out of my patriotism. I believe that the documentary made with English subtitles will play a big role in effectively imprint Bangabandhu and Bangladesh to the world. It will remain a teaching and research resource for present and upcoming generations”. Mr. Sayed Ashik Rahman’s first produced movie “Janmovhumi” released in 2018 and the movie was exhibited in UN headquarter and 14 prestigious film festivals. In 2019 he produced his second film “Jodi ekdin”. The movie gained wide popularity among the viewers as a main stream genre film and Afrin Shika Raisa won National Film Award – 2019 in Child Artist category. Ashik Rahman’s 3rd film ‘Shap Ludu’ released in 2019 also became huge popular and actor Zahid Hasan won the National Film Award -2019 for negative role in this film. The Recently released film ‘Sasurbari Jindabad-2’ by Syed Ashik Rahman received an unprecedented response from the audience. His next films are Leader : Ami-e Bangladesh, Corporate, Prem Puran, Nak-fool and so on. In addition to the full-length film, he is producing multiple webfilms including Money Machine, Omanush, Ananda, Harijon Palli which will be phased out on Rtv Plus.

A partially shredded canvas of one of Banksy's most celebrated works sold at auction in London on Thursday for o18.58 million ($25.38 million), a new record for the British artist, three years after the artwork was bought for a fraction of that price.   The artwork -- now called "Love is in the Bin" -- sold for nearly o1.1 million at the same Sotheby's auction house location in October 2018, before it dramatically passed through a shredder hidden in the large Victorian-style frame moments later.   The surreal prank was orchestrated by the elusive and irreverent Banksy, whose identity is said to be known to only a handful of friends, and caused a global sensation.   Thursday evening's sale, which saw nine bidders battle for around 10 minutes for the work formerly called "Girl With Balloon", beats the previous record of o16.75 million set for Banksy in March.   Bidding for "Love is in the Bin" quickly climbed from the starting price of o2.5 million, with auctioneer Oliver Barker revelling in the drama.   "I can't tell you how terrified I am to bring down this hammer," he said as the final bid went unchallenged.   The work was reportedly sold to a private investor. The seventh lot in a wide-ranging contemporary arts offering, it had an estimated selling price of between o4-6 million.   "It is almost three years to the day since one of the most ingenious moments of performance art this century made auction history," Alex Branczik of Sotheby's said following the record haul.   "Banksy is no stranger to making headlines and this latest chapter in his story has captured imaginations across the world -- we can only begin to guess what might come next."   - Unpredictable -   The 2018 stunt, which poked fun at the traditionally staid world of fine art, is typical of the graffiti artist's disruptive style evident since his work first began appearing on the streets of Bristol in southwest England in the 1980s.   It was the latest in a long history of unpredictable moves for the provocative guerilla artist, whose work has appeared across Britain and around the world.   The part-shredded canvas, bought in 2018 by an unnamed European woman and exhibited for a month at a museum in Germany in 2019, depicts a small child reaching up toward a heart-shaped red balloon.   The original, which first appeared on a wall in east London, has been reproduced endlessly in prints and online, and appropriated by some of the world's best-known brands.   It had been called one of the most significant artworks of the early 21st century in the British press, before the shredded version was granted a new certificate and date by Pest Control, Banksy's authentication body, and given the new title.   - 'Game changer' -   Banksy's latest works have appeared in several British seaside towns over the summer, with the country's most famous street artist confirming they were his creations in an Instagram video entitled "A Great British Spraycation".   It showed him taking a summer road trip in a beat-up camper van with cans of spray paint stashed in a cooler.   In recent years, he has kept the attention of the contemporary art world with his social commentaries and causes -- migrants, opposition to Brexit, denunciation of Islamist radicals -- while still stirring the excitement of the moneyed art markets.   In March, the work that had broken his previous sales price record honoured caregivers during the coronavirus pandemic, with the proceeds donated to the state-run National Health Service (NHS).   The painting, "Game Changer", sold to an unnamed buyer for o14.4 million plus costs after fierce bidding at Christie's auction house in London.   Contemporary art auctions have rebounded to an all-time high over the last year, boosted by online sales and the arrival of digital art in the form of "NFTs", an annual report by Artprice said on Monday. Source: AFP/BSS AH

Aly Zaker, a valiant freedom fighter, Ekushey award-winning cultural personality and noted actor, died of old-age complications at a hospital in the capital today (Friday). He was 76. Aly Zaker breathed his last around 6.40am while he was undergoing treatment at the United Hospital in the city. He is survived by wife, one son, a daughter and a host of relatives and admirers. Aly Zaker had been suffering from cancer and various old-age complications. He was also found COVID-19 positive after his sample test on November 16. Earlier on November 17, he was admitted to Bangladesh Specialized Hospital due to cardiac problem. “His body was taken to liberation war museum at 11am for paying last tribute and he will be buried at Banani graveyard with state honour following a Namaj-E-Janaza after Asr prayers today,” said Sammilito Sangskrit Jote President Golam Kuddus. President M Abdul Hamid, Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haq and State Minister for Cultural Affairs K M Khalid have expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of Aly Zaker. Aly Zaker was born on November 6 in 1944 in Chattogram. He was the third among four siblings, and spent his early childhood in Kushtia and Madaripur. His father was a high-ranking government official who transferred every few years. He studied at Notre Dame College and graduated from the University of Dhaka. Aly Zaker served as a freedom fighter in the Liberation War. He was in Sector 8 with Major General Manzoor. In 1972, Aly Zaker joined Aranyak Natya Dal. His first stage appearance was taken place with performance in a drama of ‘Kabor’ written by Munier Chowdhury. Later, he joined Nagorik Natya Sampradaya, where his most memorable work — “Dewan Gazir Kissa”, “Nurul Din-er Shara Jibon”, “Macbeth” and “Galileo”, among many others — came. Aly Zaker directed plays like “Baki Itihash”, “Bidogdho Romonikul”, “Toilo Sankat”, “Ei Nishiddho Polli Te” and “Ocholayoton”, among others. On television, he is known for classics like “Aaj Robibar” and “Bohubrihi”. Aly Zaker married eminent theatre personality Sara Zaker in 1975 and they have a son Iresh Zaker and daughter Sriya Sharbojoya. He was one of the trustees in the Liberation War Museum in Dhaka. Aly Zaker was the Chairman of Asiatic Society. He was the recipient of Ekushey Padak, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Award, Bangabandhu Award, Munier Chowdhury Award, Naren Biswas Award, among other accolades. Source: BSS AH

Actor Chadwick Boseman, who played Black icons Jackie Robinson and James Brown before finding fame as the regal Black Panther in the Marvel cinematic universe, died Friday of cancer, his representative said, reports AP. The 43-year old Boseman died at his home in the Los Angeles area with his family by his side, his publicist Nicki Fioravante told The Associated Press. Boseman was diagnosed with colon cancer four years ago, his family said in a statement. “A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much,” his family said. “From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and several more - all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy. It was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther." Boseman had not spoken publicly about his diagnosis. Born in South Carolina, Boseman graduated from Howard University and had small roles in television before his first star turn in 2013. His striking portrayal of the stoic baseball star Robinson opposite Harrison Ford in 2013′s “42” drew attention in Hollywood and made him a star. Boseman died on a day that Major League Baseball was celebrating Jackie Robinson day. “This is a crushing blow” actor and director Jordan Peele said on Twitter, one of many expressing shock as the news spread across social media. “This broke me,” said actor and writer Issa Rae. His T’Challa character was first introduced to the blockbuster Marvel movies in 2016′s “Captain America: Civil War,” and his “Wakanda Forever” salute reverberated around the world after the release of “Black Panther” two years ago. The character was last seen standing silently dressed in a black suit at Tony Stark’s funeral in last year’s "Avengers: Endgame." Even at the outset of his Hollywood career, Boseman was clear-eyed about — and even skeptical of — the industry in which he would become an international star. “You don’t have the same exact experience as a Black actor as you do as a white actor. You don’t have the same opportunities. That’s evident and true,” he told AP while promoting “42.” “The best way to put it is: How often do you see a movie about a black hero who has a love story — with a black woman, or any woman for that matter ... he has a spirituality. He has an intellect. It’s weird to say it, but it doesn’t happen that often.” In addition to Robinson and Brown, Boseman portrayed U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall in 2017′s “Marshall.“ He took on his first producing job in last year’s action thriller “21 Bridges,” in which he also starred, and was last seen on-screen in Spike Lee’s film “Da 5 Bloods” as the leader of a group of Black soldiers in the Vietnam War. Source: AP/UNB AH

Renowned music director and composer Alauddin Ali passed away. He breathed his last at 5:50 pm on Sunday. Managing Director of capital’s Universal Medical College and Hospital Dr. Ashis Kumar Chakrawarty confirmed the information to Rtv news. He said, he passed away at 5:50 pm today. He was under treatment at the ICU. About his burial he said, the family members of Alauddin Ali have not decided the matter yet. It will be informed later. Mentionable, Alauddin Ali was admitted at the hospital at around 4:45 am on Saturday. He was taken under life support for his breathing problems. AH

Miss South Africa was crowned Miss Universe on Sunday in Atlanta after a lavish ceremony filled with glitter and heartfelt speeches about female empowerment. Zozibini Tunzi, 26, finished first ahead of the Puerto Rican and Mexican finalists in a flashy televised event, hosted by American comic turned TV personality Steve Harvey. Television personalities Vanessa Lachey and Olivia Culpo served as backstage commentators, and a panel of seven women determined the winner. Tunzi earned cheers during her closing speech, a new segment of the competition, in which she talked about wanting to empower young women to feel confident. "I grew up in a world where a woman who looks like me, with my kind of skin and my kind of hair, was never considered to be beautiful," she said. "I think that it is time that that stops today," she said to thunderous applause. Tunzi beat more than 90 contestants from around the globe in the 68th instalment of Miss Universe, which was held in Atlanta's Tyler Perry Studios. The two favorites ahead of the competition, Miss Thailand Paweensuda Saetan-Drouin and Miss Philippines Gazini Ganados, did not make it to the final 10. The Philippines' Catriona Gray, who presented Tunzi with the crown, took home the Miss Universe crown in 2018. Although she did not make the finals, Miss Myanmar Swe Zin Htet made waves last week when she came out as the competition's first openly gay contestant. "I have that platform that, if I say that I'm a lesbian, it will have a big impact on the LGBTQ community back in Burma," Htet told People magazine, using her country's historic name. Homosexuality is illegal in the southeast Asian country and is punishable by up to life in prison. In 2018, the competition also featured Miss Spain Angela Ponce, who blazed a trail as Miss Universe's first transgender contestant. But the pageant has had a controversial past. Multiple contestants have alleged that US President Donald Trump would regularly enter the competitors' changing room while he owned the organization from 1996-2015. Additionally, Miss Universe continues to host the swimsuit competition, which has drawn criticism for objectifying the contestants, although that part of the pageant was not televised. Source: AFP/MSN AH

Ekushey Padak winner, much accepted singer Subir Nandi is no more. He breathed his last in Singapore at 4:26 am Bangladesh time on Tuesday (May 7). Daughter of the singer Falguni Nandi confirmed the matter. Subir Nanadi was taken to Singapore on April 30 after undergoing treatment for 18 days at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka. He suffered heart attack for three times while undergoing treatment in Singapore. At last the singer suffered a heart attack on Sunday morning. Subir Nandi became sick on April 14 while returning from Srimangal by train. He was admitted to CMH of Dhaka. Later he was shifted to Singapore following direction from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In his 40 years long career Subir Nandi sang more than two and half thousand songs. He presented numbers of popular songs to radio, television and films. President and Prime Minister express condolence In the separate condolence messages President Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep condolence and sympathy to the family following the death of Subir Nandi. They have mentioned that it is an irreparable loss to the music arena of Bangladesh. AH