Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Joya Ahsan, one of the biggest names on the television screen is busy with cinema nowadays, and receiving similar resounding accolades on the big screen also. She has won the Best Actress Award at this year's National Film Awards for her outstanding role in "Guerrilla" and her highly anticipated movie "Chorabali" is to be released later this month. Besides working with Shakib Khan in a mainstream Bangla movie, she is also working with a Kolkata movie house and due to be released next year.
The actress recently spoke to The Daily Star (TDS) about her recent work and future plans.
TDS: What do you anticipate will be the audience reaction to “Chorabali”?
Joya Ahsan: I believe the audience will be treated to a brilliant movie. It's a thriller and audiences are hungry for such films, since there's a lack of a conducive environment and good cinemas. The movie has a twisting plot and is artfully made. Personally, I loved working in the film and hope the audience loves it also.
TDS: How was it like working with your co-artiste Indranil?
Joya Ahsan: Indranil basically comes from Mumbai and works in Kolkata. He is a very professional actor. He loves his work and maintains a professional approach throughout. Despite being a super star, he is extremely humble. While working with Indranil, it never felt like an actor from abroad had come to Bangladesh to perform. He can create a very good chemistry with everyone around him and it was an absolute pleasure working with him.
TDS: Can you tell us something about your character in “Chorabali”?
Joya Ahsan: I played the role of a daring crime reporter. The journalists play such an important role in our society and I feel that anyone who watches the movie would be inspired by the character.
TDS: You also had to learn how to ride a bike for your role?
Joya Ahsan: Yes, it was quite an adventurous experience. I thought why don't I learn something new? Previously I learned how to ride a horse for a TV play by Nurul Alam Atiq. Although I was scared at first, I still managed to ride! I try not to miss an opportunity to learn something new for my work. That is why I learned to ride a bike for “Chorabali”.
TDS: This is the first time you've chosen to work in a mainstream movie. What is the reason?
Joya Ahsan: I made the choice because of my love for cinema. I feel that the film industry cannot improve unless mainstream films are good themselves. My commitment as an artiste also prompted me. Artistes are like clay, they can shift shapes and adapt for any challenges they face in any kind of cinema. Working in “Purno Doirgho Prem Kahini” is part of that design.
TDS: What is your character like in “Purno Doirgho Prem Kahini”?
Joya Ahsan: The audience will find me as a stereo-typical Bangla movie heroine in the film. The character is born and raised in Malaysia. I believe that the appearance plays a major role in building a character so I designed my own costumes for the movie. This was my personal experiment.
TDS: How was your experience working with Shakib Khan for the first time?
Joya Ahsan: I felt that Shakib Khan is a very professional actor. He loves his work and is a brilliant co-actor. From up close, I saw how serious and sincere he is about his work.
TDS: You've also worked in the movie “Parle Thheka” and sang songs for the film?
Joya Ahsan: Yes, that is an upcoming project. We will establish the character as part of the project. I sang two songs, as the character demanded it. It was a leap for me but I did it to help me blend deeper with the character.
TDS: You also did a Kolkata film recently. When will it be released?
Joya Ahsan: The movie is called “Aborto”. Hopefully it will be released next February.
TDS: What is your reaction to being selected for the National Film Award for “Guerrilla”?
Joya Ahsan: It's an overwhelming feeling to be recognised on a national level. I am overjoyed and grateful to my audience, but I think the feeling will not sink in completely until I have the award physically in my hands!

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Singer James Taylor suggested for lead role in Lincoln

Singer-songwriter James Taylor says he doesn't see the resemblance, but he was pitched - without success - to play the role of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln in the new film.
Taylor told a packed audience at the National Press Club on Friday that Oscar-winning musician John Williams - who composed the soundtrack for "Lincoln" - had pushed for Taylor to play the lead role in Steven Spielberg's new film.
The role of Lincoln in the historical drama ultimately went to Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis.
"John wanted me to play that part. He actually stood up for me there and suggested me at one point," said Taylor, 64, adding, "It was never going to happen."
The "Fire and Rain" singer, who has no professional acting experience, said he was flattered that some people thought Day-Lewis' portrayal of Lincoln reminded them of him. But he did not see much resemblance aside from the fact that they were "tall and somewhat skinny."
"He doesn't look like me to me, but I live in here, so I'm apt to notice the difference," Taylor said.
British-born actor Day-Lewis, who already has two Oscars, is seen as a front runner to take home another golden statuette at the Academy Awards in February.
Taylor said he had no ambitions to go into acting after what he called "an interesting ride" of a performance career in which he essentially played himself.
"This is fine. I've spent my life being myself for a living," said Taylor, a five-time Grammy Award winner.
"There are performers who develop and assume a character that they then play for the public. But I don't know anyone who is as much themselves publicly for a living as I am," he said.
Taylor and his third wife, Kim Taylor, campaigned actively for then-candidate Barack Obama in 2008 and again in 2012. The singer performed in Washington on Thursday evening at the 90th annual lighting of the National Christmas Tree, presided over this year by President Obama and his family.

Centenary celebrations of Bangladesh National Museum

Marking the centenary celebrations of Bangladesh National Museum, a painting competition for children was recently held at Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Sangrahashala (art gallery).
Mymensingh district administration organised the painting competition.
Eighty nine children from different educational institutions from class one to class ten of the town and outside took part in the competition in four groups. The subjects of the competition were Open choice, Liberation War, Victory marking Independence and The speech of Bangabandhu on March 7.
Forty paintings from the four groups will be sent to the National Museum and after another scrutiny in Dhaka, the names of the winners will be announced. The National Museum will publish an album with the selected paintings of the children coming from 64 districts.
Earlier, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and Development) of Mymensingh, Shibir Bichitra Barua inaugurated the competition as chief guest. Dr. Bijoy Krishna Banik, deputy keeper of the art gallery presided over the inaugural session.
The judges of the competition were--Mohammad Abdur Rouf, lecturer of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Fine Arts Institute and Poritosh Majumder, assistant expert at National Academy for Primary Education (NAPE), Mymensingh.
The chief guest said, the National Museum was established in 1913, a significant milestone as Rabindranath Tagore won the Nobel Prize that year. The National Museum is a stakeholder of our culture and tradition, said the chief guest.
Mymensingh, a town is renowned for the world famous artiste Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin and the child artists of today will one day bring more fame and glory for Mymensingh, concluded the chief guest.

Family Flick Movie Review: We Bought a Zoo

Moviemakers these days seem to be pushing family flicks over the brink of extinction. Is it because families do not have time to watch movies together anymore? Or is Hollywood running out of ideas for family entertainment? Whatever the reason might be, movies with a broad family appeal are becoming a rarity. It is becoming quite an ordeal to find a movie suitable to watch with my six-year old son, who is rapidly turning into a movie buff like me.
Having said all that, I must say that I admire the thoroughness with which the 2011 movie “We Bought a Zoo” caters to the whole family. Acclaimed filmmaker Cameron Crowe (“Jerry Maguire”, “Almost Famous”) directs an amazing story about a widower who decides that his grieving children need a fresh start. So they move to the most unlikely of places: a zoo. With the help of a diverse set of staff the family works to return the rundown zoo to its former glory.
In lesser hands, a film seemingly based on a familiar formula would have landed in a sentimental mess that often devours films like these. Instead, with the aid of a strong acting ensemble and Crowe's dexterity in developing his characters from inside out, we have an intelligent family film.
The movie is based on a memoir written in 2006 by Benjamin Mee, former journalist of “The Guardian” about how he and his family rescued a failing zoo in Devon. The real Mee bought Dartmoor Wildlife Park when his wife became ill, however, in the movie she dies before the opening credits.
The events chronicle the attempts of Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon), father of two, who feels the pain of losing his wife to cancer and puts his children teenaged Dylan (Colin Ford) and seven-year-old Rosie (Maggie Elizabeth Jones), over his job. But when Dylan is expelled from school, six months after the tragedy, Benjamin starts thinking. He realises that the hurt will take longer to heal if they remain in the shadow of their past. So he attempts to glue together the broken pieces of his family by finding a sanctuary in a crumbling country house that comes with a zoo.
At the Rosemoor Wildlife Park, the family gets to know a team of quirky staff members led by head zookeeper, Kelly Foster (Scarlett Johansson). Later, when the forthright, no-nonsense Kelly asks Mee why he bought a failing zoo when he had no experience, he replies, “Why not?” The team has a good alchemy and in spite of rising debts and personal tension, financial difficulties and heartbreak, they work together. Mee had never been a wildlife advocate but somehow the dilapidated zoo echoes his own fractured life. He empathizes with the wild creatures in his menagerie, especially the dying tiger, Spar, whose despair mirrors his own.
Damon's performance is extraordinary. He understands the depth of his character and lets us glimpse into the hurting and lonely person beneath the tough exterior of intelligence and wit. The director fittingly captures the magic of Rosemoor and its animal inhabitants. Simply watching them interact offers a number of genuinely touching moments.
With the sunshine seeping through the leaves of majestic trees, cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto aptly portrays the tranquility of the spot. Finally, the eclectic and mood-altering music by Iceland's Jónsi appeals as everything else about the film.
This easy-going, likable film might not be lauded by critics but the film is not likely to dishearten its audience. Of all the movies I have seen this year "We Bought a Zoo" is definitely one from the heart.
The story is one of hope and healing, and the rebuilding of the zoo provides a metaphor for the family's personal journey. In case, you are still wondering why you should watch this movie, just ask yourself, “Why not?”

Tribute K.S. Murshid: A life of the mind

Khan Sarwar Murshid was part of a dwindling band of cultured men in this country. He belonged to a generation which gave of its best to Bangladesh through being part of the historical process which went into its creation in 1971. If the nine months of the struggle for freedom were the worst time in the collective life of the Bengalis this side of the political frontier, fundamentally because of the organised killings carried out by the Pakistan occupation army, they were also the best in terms of drawing out of us the patriotism necessary for a righteous war to be sustained.
Professor Khan Sarwar Murshid demonstrated an immensity of patriotism in those dark yet soon to be illuminating months. And with that patriotism he brought into action the intellectual force that was so needed to convince the rest of the world that the struggle for Bangladesh was not a simple matter of resistance to the enemy but, in a larger sense, a demand for liberty based on the logic that at critical times is derived from history. It was within this ambience of historical grandeur that Murshid served as a significant cog in the wheel of the Mujibnagar government. As a member of the wartime planning commission, as a key aide to Tajuddin Ahmed, as one of the men articulating our aspirations before the councils of the world in that year of death and resurgent hope, Khan Sarwar Murshid, with others of his belief, was our intellectual face to the world.
In Khan Sarwar Murshid were combined a devotion to literature and a commitment to the public weal. The first he ensured through teaching, which teaching would see him preside over Rajshahi University as vice chancellor soon after the liberation of the country; and the second he put into implementation as the new nation's ambassador to Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia, again in the early 1970s. The government of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman did what was required at that point of time in the nation's history: it placed cerebral men at the new diplomatic missions of Bangladesh abroad, the clear objective being to drive a potent truth home --- that Bangladesh had men who lived the life of the mind, to speak for it abroad. Azizur Rahman Mallick went off to New Delhi and Khan Shamsur Rahman was despatched to Moscow. Khan Sarwar Murshid made his way to eastern Europe. He served with distinction.
Murshid's zeal for language, for a proper application of it both in the verbal sense and in the written form, was matched by few in his times. In his Bengali and in his English, it was perfection he sought and then applied to satisfaction, his own and that of his followers. That was one way in which he asserted his adherence to values. That was also the reason why he named the journal he launched in the late 1940s New Values. The journal travelled a long way before circumstances called a halt. But the principles it upheld, the integrity of life it embodied were never to go away. In that old-fashioned sense of the meaning, Murshid was to see them at play again years later in the journal his wife, scholar and educationist and politician in her own right, would edit.
In Murshid's passing the twilight sets on an era. Within the luminosity of that era, it was starlight we basked in. The stars shone bright, back in 1973, when Khan Sarwar Murshid brought us in touch with Andre Malraux, here in free Bangladesh. As he prepared to bid farewell to Malraux, Murshid asked the French writer-philosopher if Sheikh Mujibur Rahman could turn things around in Bangladesh. Yes, said Malraux, if you do not kill him. Murshid would not forget that prescient statement. Neither would we.
Today, it is hard for us to forget the man of substance that was Khan Sarwar Murshid. He taught us, about literature, about politics, about the human condition. He shaped ideas, which ideas he passed on to us. And thus he lives on.
Syed Badrul Ahsan is Executive Editor, The Daily Star.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Sony Ericsson Xperia Halon known as Sony Ericsson Vivaz 2 has revealed by Eldar Murtazin

Here are Sony Ericsson Xperia Halon or can be referred to as Sony Ericsson Vivaz 2, a new mobile phone from Sony Ericsson of Vivaz SE family. The phone is scheduled to be exhibited at the MWC event february 2011.

One reviewer of mobile phone-named Eldar Murtazin review has revealed this Sony Ericsson Vivaz  2. In the review, Eldar says that the SE Vivaz 2 uses a processor 1GHz Qualcomm MSM7630 plus GPU Adreno  205, 512 MB RAM and 1500 mAh battery as the support of power.
In addition, the front camera Vivaz 2 also known to have ability above average. As for appearance, this phone has a screen resolution of Reality Display 854 x 480 pixel technology  Bravia Engine and Vivaz 2 uses the Android 2.3 Gingerbread.
That said, Vivaz 2 will come down to compete in the class mid-range Android phones and the price seems Vivaz 2 is going quite friendly pocket.

iPhone 5G

A rumor spread that Apple is developing a new device that will appear later in the year 2011. Devices that are rumored iPhone 5G. Not just a rumor that the iPhone 5G ready to be launched later in 2011, the experts also said to have predicted mainstay features that carried the Apple-made phone. Rumor’s said, the iPhone 5 will feature 128GB of storage and a brand new display boasting 27.8 more pixels and the iPhone 5G will be coming to Virgin Mobile. As was disclosed by someone who does not wish to remain anonymous through the Wall Street Journal, “the fifth generation of the iPhone this will look different in a number of factors compared to their

Jailbreak Ios 4.2.1 has been released for your iPhone

Hi guys, I’ve got a very good news for users of iPad and iPhone.  Dev Team has released Jailbreak IOS 4.2.1. In this new jailbreak,  offering services that allow us to use animated  wallpapers that we want or other images that you want to display on the iPad or iPhone that we  have.
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Sunday, December 9, 2012

sheer CHIC Sabrina Fatma Ahmad

Fashionwise, August is a strange month in Bangladesh. Not quite summer, although the weather is still pretty warm on most days, and not autumn just yet. With Ramadan spanning through its dates, this is also an austere time, but there is a sense of anticipation as Eid rolls closer, with its promise of food, fashion and many festivities. So how does one go about finding clothes that manage to multitask and meet all the dictates of weather and appropriateness? The answer may very well lie in seven yards of sheer chic, also known as the chiffon sari.
While not an obvious choice, considering that the heat makes us run towards cotton and its blends, chiffon is actually a better bet all around. For one thing, it is a lightweight, breathable fabric that, if allowed to flow loose, directs the sweat away from the body. So while a fitted kameez made of the material might still cause pit-stains during a power cut or under the sun, a sari is the perfect balance of cling and flow if you want something easy and breezy.
t can be dressed up or down as the occasion permits, and is just as suitable for an iftar party as it is for a more formal occasion. The fabric hugs your body, accentuating the curves you want to show off, and concealing what you don't want advertised with almost magical effectiveness. It is the perfect choice for anyone who's not proud of the results of all those yummy piyajus. And an added bonus? The texture of chiffon makes it one of those textiles that photograph really well.
Silk chiffon is the fanciest of the lot, the most popular choice for bridal gowns, but works well as sari material too. Since it is also the more expensive type of chiffon, this is the fabric you opt for your more formal 'dos.
Silk crinkle chiffon, which has a more crepe-y texture, looks absolutely smashing if worn plain, in a bright, solid colour, dressed up either by a single pearl strand and small earrings, or by big statement earrings and a bold cocktail ring. Or you could go for the flat silk chiffon, which allows for subtle prints and embellishment. The problem with silk chiffon is that it is very delicate and thus hard to maintain or store.
Polyester or 'poly' chiffon is made from polyester or rayon, as the name suggests, and is more durable than silk chiffon. It drapes as easily as silk, so is a more viable option for the budget-conscious. It is perfect for the afternoon party, or the iftar dawat. The downside is, the polyester isn't as 'cool' as the silk fabric, so while it's still a breathable, light and breezy material, it is less sympathetic towards heat and perspiration than its silk counterpart.
The stores at Bashundhara City and Pink City are good places to go looking for chiffon saris. If you want the really high-quality French chiffon, tissue saris or the Pakistani 'shimos' silk chiffon saris, you'd have better luck looking for the specialty boutiques that import the garments.
If you're in a DIY frame of mind, seven yards of the fabric from any of our silk houses will get you started on a fine creative adventure. Whichever you choose, chiffon saris are a trendy choice for this festive season.

Home gardening

My grandfather was a 'plant lover'. From the cactus on the table at his office, to the age-old trees that line the road in front of Sir Salimullah Hall- his abode as a student of DU- his passion for plants was wide and varied. Everyday after returning from the office, he would put on his gardening gear- lungi and a tee shirt, armed with his gardening gadgets and head to his garden. It was his respite; even in his dying days he never gave up visiting the green sanctuary that he had himself built with his own hands.
But times have changed. The city is a stifling place. Where there previously used to be lawns and gardens, are now concrete apartment buildings.
A large proportion of us city dwellers don't have the luxury of a sprawling garden, but that should be no impediment to having plants inside our homes. Other than their environmental benefits, plants also beautify a place and lend character to an otherwise droll setting.
Gardening in tropical and humid climates such as ours is an ordeal but once you get the hang of it you will see it more as an adventure and less as a chore. Not all plants are suited for indoor cultivation, but you can easily grow outdoor plants such as Hibiscus, Miscanthus cabaret, New Zealand flax, Cardinal lobelia, Canary reed-grass (ground-cover), Kalanchoe (annual plant), Agave (for sandy well-drained soil) in a patch of land overlooking the patio, if you have one.
However, many tropical plants require some extra care as they perish quite easily if they do not find the favourable conditions in your garden. The trick is to follow some simple, basic rules.
The obvious thing to be careful about is the quality of soil. Tropical plants need well-soaked soil, so make sure that the soil in your garden or flowering pot is capable of retaining moisture for a long time after watering.
Another consideration is the choice of fertilizers. For instance, tropical flower plants should not be supplied with too much of nitrogenous fertilizers; it hampers their normal growth. It increases the growth of the leaves, but decreases the blooming of the flowers. Also, apart from nitrogen rich chemicals, fertilizers containing phosphorus and potash are also recommended for tropical plants. You may use these in minimal quantity, so that they do not hamper the growth of the plants.
As mentioned earlier, not many of us have an outdoor space in which to indulge our gardening aspirations. As a seasoned gardener says, �Plants in the outdoors get a lot of rainfall in our climate, except in the winter. But when plants are indoors, it is very important to keep them hydrated by watering the pots at least once a day. Also important is to remember that plants should be kept close to a light source, preferably by a window, because as we all know green plants cannot survive without sunlight.�
The prevailing temperature is a major factor in determining whether your plants will thrive or wilt. Generally, it is useful to keep your plants outside in the summer, and inside during the winter. Although it is recommended that the plants have some sort of heating during the winter, as frost is undesirable for their normal growth, it is not relevant for plants in Bangladesh because of our mild winters. However, if you live in the northern parts and it gets quite chilly, use a heating source at your own discretion; by then you should have developed quite a green thumb.
It is best not to take too much upon yourself. If you have no prior experience or knowledge of gardening, it is important that you consult and take the advice of someone who has done it before. Information on how much fertilizer to use and what to grow can only be supplied by an experienced gardener who has a firm grasp of local conditions. With so much information at our fingertips, it is quite easy to go online and hunt around for tips, but that must be complemented by sound practical knowledge.
We automatically think that gardening is for someone else to do and that it's too much of a hassle. You may be surprised however, at how easily you grow into the role of gardener once you start doing it. Although it may seem unlikely now, you may even begin to share a bond with the plants that you have nurtured from little saplings; it's only natural.
Tips on Home Gardening
If horticulture is your passion, or you are merely in pursuit to add greenery both in and outside your home, there are certain thumb rules that you must follow. Home gardening, though far from a strenuous task, requires consistent maintenance and nurturing. You must take care of your plants but always remember that 'too much' care often causes more harm than good.
�How much to water?� is an age-old question raised by home gardeners. Too much water floods the plants and cripples them from absorbing the minerals and nutrients from the soil. Whereas insufficient watering dehydrates plants, making the branches limp and lifeless.
The species of your plants plays a role in determining the right amount of water that it requires. A thorough research should be conducted before implementing the necessities. If you feel too lazy to read books and magazines to learn about plant care, at least ask the vendor of the nursery you buy your plants to inform you about plant care.
It is pivotal that the appropriate amounts are showered. One deep watering is much better than watering lightly several times a day. If the weather pertains to hot and humid conditions, a little more than usual water should be sprinkled.
Uninvited moss, grass and mould of various genres take residence in the nearby alleys or on the flower plants in your outside garden. Instead of bending over to tug at the roots of these or scrubbing them off, sprinkle sufficient amount of regular table salt directly on the areas. Salt chokes the life out of these.
Plants and stagnant water bodies are homes to dengue and malaria causing mosquitoes. Remove any water deposits in your gardens as a preliminary precaution to preventing the spread of any disease. Insecticides and pesticides should be sprayed on a regular basis.
Pruning limbs and branches is necessary for a healthy growth and a less disease-prone garden. Air out plants stored within confinements at least once a week to filter out any germs, which might have been dwelling in them.
Consider planting insect repelling plants such as but not limited to-
Ants: mint, tansy, pennyroyal;
Aphids: mints, garlic, chives, coriander, anise;
Mice: onion;
Squash Bug: radish, marigolds tansy and nasturtium.
These plants have their own chemically designed defence systems and when placed among flowers and vegetables they keep unwanted pests at bay.