‘The Story of Art’ exhibition: Of art and altruism
Organized by Dhaka Storytellers from February 8 to February 13, the lush gallery space Aloki Greenhouse in the capital’s Gulshan hosted an exhibition titled The Story of Art. The exhibition boasted a stunning collection of 80 to 90 artworks, captivating audiences for a week. Curated by Syeda Adiba Hussain, co-founder of Dhaka Storytellers, The Story of Art was more than just a display of artistic excellence. This was Dhaka Storytellers’ second art event, following the charity exhibition Art for Charity in August 2024. In the same vein, The Story of Art supported a larger cause, with a portion of the proceeds donated to five schools and one college in Sylhet, demonstrating the power of art to create tangible change beyond gallery walls. Beyond the beauty of its displays, the exhibition underscored the immense power of art to inspire and drive change. By merging artistic excellence with humanitarian efforts, it aimed to uplift communities, empower individuals, and support crucial social causes. Having been in the making for almost a year, the exhibition was carefully planned to bring together some of Bangladesh’s most celebrated artists. The lineup included some of the country’s most notable names, such as Rafiqun Nabi, Monirul Islam, Hamiduzzaman Khan, and Kanak Chanpa Chakma. Furthermore, the exhibition commendably featured artworks by several emerging artists, creating a dynamic collection that bridged generations of artistic expression. From simply beautiful paintings to thought-provoking sculptures, The Story of Art was also an opportunity for both seasoned and budding collectors to acquire unique pieces while contributing to a noble cause. The grand opening on Friday, February 7, set the tone for the week-long exhibition. The launch was attended by an invitation-only audience, including the participating artists, their families, media professionals, and notable guests. As the exhibition drew to a close, it left behind more than just a collection of breathtaking visuals; it also left an indelible impression on those who visited. The fusion of artistic expression with social commitment deeply moved attendees, inspiring them to consider the vast potential of art beyond aesthetics. The exhibition carried a narrative that extended far beyond the gallery walls, reinforcing the idea that art is not merely to be observed but to be experienced, felt, and acted upon. The event was about more than just admiring artworks—it was about creating a shared vision where artists, curators, and spectators all committed to a cause bigger than themselves. It demonstrated that art has the ability to transcend traditional boundaries, reaching into the hearts of individuals and communities, sparking conversations, and inspiring action. Ultimately, The Story of Art was a celebration of creativity’s ability to inspire, connect, and transform lives. The week-long show was a powerful testament to the transformative synergy between art and altruism. It showcased how art exhibitions, when intertwined with a greater purpose, can spark meaningful change. Written By Shahbaz Nahian
Bangladeshi Hotels, Resorts Win Big at South Asian Travel Awards 2025
Bangladesh’s hospitality sector received a resounding endorsement on the international stage as several leading local hotels, resorts, and tour operators were honoured at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2025, held at the Cinnamon Grand in Colombo. The glittering ceremony, widely regarded as one of the region’s most prestigious events in the travel and tourism calendar, brought together top-tier organisations from Sri Lanka, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. A total of 53 Gold Awards and 113 Silver Awards were presented across a range of categories, recognising excellence in service, innovation, and guest experience. Bangladeshi winners spanned multiple categories, reflecting the country’s growing reputation as a destination of choice for regional and international travellers. Award Winners from Bangladesh Baywatch: South Asia’s Best New Hotel and South Asia’s Leading Beach Resort HANSA – A Premium Residence: Leading Designer Hotel/Resort Holiday Inn Dhaka City Centre: Leading City Hotel Intercontinental Dhaka: Leading Luxury Hotel Momo Inn: Leading Family Hotel & Resort and Leading Convention Center Award Platinum Grand: Leading Boutique Hotel Platinum Residence: Leading City Hotel and Leading Budget Hotel Radisson Blu Chattogram Bay View: Best Eco-Friendly Hotel Radisson Blu Dhaka: Leading Airport Hotel and Leading Meeting & Events Sayeman Beach Resort: Leading Wedding Hotel/Resort Sayeman Heritage: Leading Heritage Hotel/Resort The Palace Luxury Resort: Leading Palace Hotel The Peninsula Chittagong: Best CSR Program, Leading F&B Hotel, and Leading Business Hotel The Westin Dhaka: Leading Wellness and Spa Hotel/Resort Bangladesh Tour Group (BTG): South Asia’s Leading Inbound Travel Agent and Best Promotion Campaign in South Asia Travel Classic (Pvt.) Limited: Leading Travel Agent – Outbound Winning awards in different categories was no easy feat. Each submission underwent a rigorous selection and evaluation process. The SATA 2025 Awards were presented to organisations that embody excellence in service delivery, innovation, sustainability, leadership, and overall industry impact. During the evaluation stage, 60 percent of the marks came from the professional judges’ report cards, with the remaining 40 percent from online public voting. Judges scored submissions based on multiple criteria: service excellence, innovation and improvement, customer satisfaction, sustainability and responsibility, operational excellence and safety, sales and revenue performance, leadership and team development, and industry contribution. This year, SATA placed particular emphasis on sustainability, cultural authenticity, and digital innovation. “SATA brings together over 300 delegates from across the South Asian region to celebrate the best of South Asian hospitality brands,” said SATA President Ismail Hameed at a press conference held during the event. He added that international establishments such as the Taj Mahal Palace, as well as brands from Nepal and Bhutan, which are unique in their own right, took part in this year’s show. “From travel agents’ associations to hotel associations to tourism boards — all are part of SATA,” Hameed said. He noted that South Asian destinations hold great tourism potential, offering everything from cool weather and beaches to mountains, heritage, history, culture, food, and delicacies. Md Mohsin Hoq Himel, Secretary of the Bangladesh International Hotel Association (BIHA), who attended the event, said: “BIHA has been working with the South Asian Travel Awards in Bangladesh.” Under the overall guidance of Hakim Ali, founder of BIHA, the association has participated in the prestigious event every year, he said. Through this platform, BIHA aims to highlight the service standards of Bangladesh’s local hotels and resorts, showcasing their uniqueness and distinctiveness alongside other regional hotels, Himel added. “This year, every Bangladeshi hotel and resort has achieved remarkable positions. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the award winners.” According to representatives of Bangladesh’s hospitality sector, this international recognition will further advance the country’s tourism and hotel industry in the global market and strengthen Bangladesh’s brand image worldwide, he said. The first edition of the South Asian Travel Awards began in 2016 and has been organised by Highrise every year since, with the support of multiple associations and tourism bodies from across the South Asian region, according to the SATA website. The annual search for South Asia’s most outstanding travel organisations spans a month each year from March to April, calling upon industry professionals to name their preferred travel suppliers in the region who have risen above the competition and surpassed expectations, it read. “The awards programme continues to serve as a platform for nations to come together, not in competition, but in celebration of shared triumphs and brilliance.” Written by Nibir Ayaan
An Artist’s Meditative Take on the Textile Crisis
On 10th October, Bengal Shilpalay’s Quamrul Hassan Hall made room for Yasmin Jahan Nupur’s solo exhibition to breathe in silence. Silence that carries the weight of unspoken resistance, forged over decades. Each corner is equipped with different kinds of soft sculptures and artworks, woven and drawn with bare hands. These sculptures will urge you to zoom in, squint, and at times, resist touching and feeling their texture. The space is surrounded by a variety of installations, including tapestry, jamdani woven in a grid-like matrix, a golden net made of zari threads, Bangla phrases stitched in muslin fabric, and hand-drawn textures and patterns. The sculptures, made from gentle materials like thread and wool, celebrate their natural malleability and softness. Her meticulously executed works on paper using only pen and watercolor draw viewers into their quiet depths. In contrast, Nupur’s brass sculptures defy expectation, transforming rigid metal into forms that appear almost supple. As one takes a closer look, they can find the artist’s sheer brilliance of witty and powerful juxtaposition of delicate threads and robust objects. One of the guests at the opening, globally famous architect Marina Tabassum, who won Aga Khan Award twice, reflected on the powerful presence of silence—describing it as an equally vital element in architecture, a space everyone strives to reach, yet few truly achieve in the process of creation. She observed that Nupur’s works embody that very quality, carrying a quiet strength despite being crafted from simple materials like strand and wool. The softness of Nupur’s sculptures and the intricacies of her work, in fact, carry a more concrete and unsettling truth—illuminating the fading textile legacy of Bengal. Behind these delicate forms lie the stories of countless artisans unable to continue their craft, disrupted not only by economic pressures but also by colonial legacies and ecological changes. A powerful installation in the exhibition was a dazzling hanging burqa. While the traditional burqa symbolizes modesty and concealment, Nupur reimagined it as a three-dimensional form embroidered with gold and silver zari threads—not as a symbol of elegance, but as a testament to distressed endurance. Nupur’s professor, Abul Monsur, recalls how her gentle demeanor during her time at the Fine Arts Institute, CU, fooled him into perceiving her as rather fragile. Her quiet resilience and unwavering devotion to her craft beneath that delicate surface only proved him wrong over time. Yasmin Jahan Nupur not only hails a heavy portfolio of glorious works but also became a household name in the international galleries. This second solo exhibition is Nupur’s careful documentation and a commitment to preserving the vanishing heritage of Bangladesh’s textiles. As visitors walk through the gallery, they are compelled to stop, gaze, and ultimately begin to unravel the silences behind each piece. “Even though the voice may be muted or just a soft whisper (mridu shor), the visitors must take the time to truly listen,” quotes curator Tanzim Wahab. “Unravelling Silence” is on view until November 22, every day from 4 to 8 PM, except Sundays, at Bengal Shilpalay. Written by- Fariha Hossain