Cartoon e Bidroho’- A bloodshot rebellion portrayed in art!!

Institute of Architects Bangladesh Brings Pohela Boishakh to Life on Its Premises

The Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB) welcomed the Bengali New Year in vibrant style, hosting its first-ever Pohela Boishakh celebration on its premises. Titled “Esho Mati Notuner Ahobane”, the event was a colourful and cultural affair that reached beyond the architectural fraternity. Architects’ spouses, children, and extended family were warmly welcomed. The idea was simple: to celebrate the new year and the people who stand behind the scenes of every great architect. Festivities began at 3 PM, as the rhythmic beat of traditional dhol set the tone. Architect Asif M Ahsanul Haq, Convener of the Bengali New Year Celebration Committee, opened the event, inviting everyone into the heart of the celebration. With warm smiles and colorful attire, attendees embraced the spirit of community and enjoyed the laughter and tradition with their extended family. The IAB grounds were transformed into a festive fair, with interactive cultural corners drawing crowds throughout the day. Children gathered around clay artists and potters, their hands deep in clay, learning to mold traditional shapes. Nearby, shitol pati (cooling mat) weavers demonstrated their age-old techniques, encouraging young participants to try their hand at weaving. A painting zone was also set up, where children were free to create without the pressure of competition. Their artwork was later displayed, showcasing unfiltered creativity and color. Laughter echoed from the crowd gathered around the Putul Nach (puppet dance) and magic show, where entertainment delighted audiences of all ages and reminded everyone of the charm of folk performances. At the heart of the event was a bustling Meena Bazaar, alive with the flavors of tradition. Stalls served familiar favorites—muri, murki, naru, moya, samosa, beguni, lemonade, and kacha aam er shorbot—while architects and their families showcased their creative talents through stalls featuring homemade food, traditional sarees, books, paintings, and handmade crafts. It was a beautiful blend of personal passion and cultural pride. Major industry sponsors, including Berger Paints Bangladesh, Italiano Marble and Granite, Indigo Marble and Granite, Tilottoma Group, and Space Couture, added their own festive touch. Their vibrant booths offered free face art, portrait sketches, and a variety of Bengali snacks and refreshments, contributing to the lively spirit of the day. As the sun began to set, the stage came alive with folk songs and traditional dances performed by members of the architectural community. The soulful performance by Sadhu Songo, a renowned Lalon music troupe, captivated the audience with its spiritual melodies. The evening came to a heartfelt close with a collective rendition of “Esho He Boishakh,” followed by heartfelt closing remarks from Professor Dr. Abu Sayeed M Ahmed, President, and Professor Dr. Masudur Rashid, General Secretary of the Institute of Architects Bangladesh. The night concluded with a warm, memorable dinner under the open sky—an evening to remember.   This landmark celebration was not just about welcoming a new year, it was about embracing shared roots, honouring cultural expression, and celebrating the bonds that make up the architectural community.

For the Love ofLanguage Nation and Literature

With a new sun, new authorities emerge, revitalising familiar spaces. The 40th Ekushey Book Fair 2025, themed “July Mass Uprising: Building a New Bangladesh (New Bangladesh Deconstruction),” featured over 700 publishing houses at the premises of Bangla Academy and Suhrawardy Udyan. The month-long fair was inaugurated by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of the interim government on 01 February.     The Amar Ekushey Book Fair, a fundamental element of Bangladesh’s literary heritage, returned this year with a striking and visually captivating transformation. Uniquely crafted stalls add an architectural charm that sets this year’s fair apart from the previous editions. Visitors are greeted with the richness of literature and an impressive array of architecturally designed stalls, each presenting a unique identity. The influence of the new government is evident in the fair’s structured setup, where each stall showcases unique aesthetics through bold shapes, intricate exteriors, and thematic designs.     When visiting this year’s Ekushey Book Fair, the crowd was astounding. People of all ages turned the fair into a true celebration. The entrance was bustling with various food vans, and women and children were all dressed up. The Book Fair has never been this festive and crowded in recent years, even on working days. Whether for recreation or out of love for books, the fair should continue in this spirit for eternity, celebrating Bangla language and literature. Readers and visitors took a moment to admire the aesthetics embraced by publishers who dedicated extra time and thought to beautifully decorate their pavilions.     One of the highlights of this year’s book fair is the pavilion by Iti Prokashon, titled ‘Ziar Bari’ (Zia’s House), named after Ziaur Rahman, a prominent army chief, freedom fighter and politician who served as the sixth President of Bangladesh from 1977 to 1981. A key figure in the country’s War of Independence, Zia’s name has often been sidelined in public discourse and textbooks due to the agendas of the previous autocratic regime. In contrast, Onnodhara Prokashon transformed its pavilion into a representation of the Bangladesh Parliament House. The sight of these two distinct symbols coexisting on the same ground truly captivated visitors. Afsar Brothers gave their pavilion a harmonious blend of heritage and functionality, making it an inviting space for book lovers while paying homage to Bengal’s rich architectural traditions. The structure follows a half-timbered design with exposed wooden beams and white infill panels, resembling classic Bengali rural or zamindari house styles. Other notable mentions include Bishwa Shahitto Kendro, which transformed its pavilion into a two-story BRTC bus structure, paying homage to its Moving Library. Bhashachitro Publications adopted a minimal, monochrome palette, giving the pavilion a simple yet elegant look. Bengal Books chose a wooden pavilion, creating a soothing atmosphere for buyers with its well-decorated books and thoughtful lighting. The Puthiniloy stall featured a book-structured roof, while Gronthik designed its stall to resemble a mud house with bamboo. Shaishab Prakash’s stall is shaped like a whimsical castle, inviting readers into a world of children’s literature. These creative designs add a unique visual and conceptual dimension to the fair, making it not just a place for purchasing books but also for cultural and artistic appreciation. The best pavilion design goes to Batighar, designed by artist Shahinur Rahman. The triangular front featured a stained-glass-like panel with motifs from Nakshi Kantha and Patachitra, reflecting Bengali folk art. Inside, a red dome element, inspired by a Chhoto Sona Mosque, highlighted local heritage. The steeply pitched roof with exposed red clay tiles resembled traditional Bangladeshi huts. For its artistic excellence, Batighar won the Kayum Chowdhury Memorial Award for best pavilion in this year. Sadly, the kids’ section lacked vibrancy, with limited space for children to explore and freely roam around. However, a few stalls, including Shoishob Prokash, Mayurpankhi, and EKRI MIKRI, did a decent job of capturing the attention of young visitors. Shoishob Prokash transformed its stall into a castle-like structure, Mayurpankhi adhered to its palette with subtle adjustments, and EKRI MIKRI added a creative touch by placing a horse for children to play on, making the stall an engaging and fun experience for the little ones. This year, the fair included 66 more stalls than the previous year. 99 publishers were located at the Bangla Academy premises and 609 at the Suhrawardy Udyan area. There were 37 pavilions in total, with one at the Bangla Academy premises and 36 at Suhrawardy Udyan. The Little Magazine Corner had been set up in Suhrawardy Udyan, with 130 stalls. In the children’s corner, 74 institutions had been allocated. The fair also featured daily seminars and cultural programmes in the evening, and a special “Children’s Hour” held every Friday and Saturday from 11am to 1pm. As part of the Amar Ekushey celebrations, various children’s competitions, including art, recitation, and music, were organised. The fair had four entrance points: TSC, Doyel Chattar, MRT station, and Engineering Institute. Director General of Bangla Academy Mohammad Azam and Member Secretary of the Fair Management Committee Sarkar Amin said to Ceramic Bangladesh that the fair was entirely polythene and smoking-free, with security provided by the Police, RAB, Ansar, and various intelligence personnel. All participating institutions sold books on a 25% commission basis. The academy published 43 new books and reprinted 41 books for this fair. A total of 3,300 new titles were published in this Book Fair 2025 and Bangla Academy stall alone sold books worth Tk 61 lakh. Several awards were presented at the fair, including the Chittaranjan Saha Memorial Award for the best publisher, the Munir Chowdhury Memorial Award for artistic excellence, and the Rokanuzzaman Khan Dadabhai Memorial Award for children’s literature. These awards recognise the contributions of publishers and authors to the literary and cultural landscape of Bangladesh. Written By Fariha Hossain

The Book Launch of ‘Next50: Collective Futures

A significant milestone in shaping Bangladesh’s future was marked today with the official launch of Next50: Collective Futures at BRAC University’s Multipurpose Hall. This landmark publication—the largest edited volume on Bangladesh’s built environment—brings together 81 authors, including many from the Bangladeshi diaspora, to explore the nation’s next five decades of progress, innovation, and connectivity. Spanning 49 chapters across nine major themes, the book examines urban and rural transformation, infrastructure, climate resilience, housing, governance, and technological innovation. Written in accessible language for policymakers, practitioners, and the general public, it bridges cutting-edge research with real-world impact, making complex ideas actionable for those shaping the nation’s future. The event was attended by some of Bangladesh’s most prominent architects, planners, and urbanists from both academia and professional practice. Distinguished guests included Dr. Syed Ferhat Anwar, Vice-Chancellor of BRAC University, and Mohammad Azaz, Administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation, who underscored the urgency of visionary thinking in driving sustainable and inclusive development. The program featured a compelling book introduction by Professor Fuad H. Mallick, Editor-in-Chief of Next50 and Dean of the School of Architecture and Design at BRAC University, followed by an insightful review from Dr. Mohammed Zakiul Islam, Professor at BUET, who highlighted the book’s interdisciplinary approach and its relevance to Bangladesh’s rapidly evolving urban landscape. Adding to the discussions, key stakeholders, including representatives from Shah Cement, reflected on the private sector’s role in shaping the built environment. The event concluded with remarks from the book’s executive editors, Dr. Tanzil Shafique and Dr. Saimum Kabir, who emphasized the collaborative effort behind the publication and its potential to influence future policies and practices.  Shah Cement also expressed interest in future collaborations. Beyond the discussions, the launch served as a key networking platform for scholars, policymakers, and industry leaders, fostering dialogue and collaboration on the country’s long-term development. Attendees engaged in meaningful conversations over Iftar and dinner, reinforcing the event’s role in strengthening professional and intellectual ties. Organized by Open Studio and Context BD, with support from Shah Cement, the event also reached a wider audience through a live stream, ensuring broader engagement with the book’s mission.