28-02-2021

sUNDAY, feBrUArY 28, 2021
10
Chobi Mela Shunno
goes virtual
Great news pouring on for connoisseurs of
art. International photography festival's 11th
edition 'Chobi Mela Shunno' has now gone
virtual, reports UNB.
Organised by Drik Picture Library and
Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, the
special hybrid edition of the biggest photo
festival kicked off in the capital on February
12 and concluded on February 21.
Now, the festival will be on the web for the
next six months, all thanks to renowned art
agency ARTcon. The virtual exhibition was
launched on the closing date of its physical
edition in Dhaka.
Art enthusiasts from home and abroad
have lauded the online initiative.
ARTcon founder and Chief Creative
Officer at Cosmos Books, ARK Reepon, told
UNB that the online exhibition "is
transcending the barriers of time, regions
and other roadblocks".
"We have converted the entire DrikPath
building and the artworks into virtual
reality so that audiences can explore the
exhibition as exactly what it was in the
physical format. Those who could not visit
the festival physically due to the pandemic
or other reasons will now be able to
experience it in the 3D virtual space,"
Reepon said.
He added, "The initial concept crossed our
minds when we were in talks with
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA)
regarding a similar initiative on the
upcoming 19th Asian Art Biennale
Bangladesh 2021, the physical exhibition of
which was postponed last year due to the
emergence of Covid-19.
"However, the idea of this virtual
exhibition was then welcomed by Drik and
after our meeting with Shahidul Alam
(renowned international photojournalist
and the initiator of Chobi Mela) before the
inauguration of the physical festival
And we could proceed to implement the
project with advanced technology."
Reepon said the virtual exhibition is
covering every single artwork showcased at
the physical event from February 12 to 21,
with more detailed descriptions and assistance
of virtual guides. "Every corner of the
exhibition venue, the DrikPath building, is
being projected, including the galleries,
staircases and rooftop spaces where the
artworks were showcased during the festival."
"We have implemented cutting edge
technology to differentiate the time barriers,
as some of the artworks were created to be
projected at daylight while some of them
required night ambience. So not only this
initiative is projecting, documenting and
preserving the hard works of the artists, it is
also providing an outstanding or even better
visual experiences," he said.
Expressing gratitude to the organisers,
Reepon said that this idea can also be
implemented for showcasing national
monuments such as the Parliament Building
where physical viewing is restricted due to
security reasons.
"We have the technology and sound
knowledge to provide the best visual
experience to audiences, so if the
government and organisations like BSA
proceed to make virtual collaborations with
ARTcon on projects like these, I think it will
be helpful to everyone, especially the elderly
and the handicapped," Reepon added.
Chobi Mela Shunno' in Dhaka was joined
by a total of 75 artists from countries
representing South Asia, this year.
Alongside host nation Bangladesh, artists
from India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
virtually participated at the event.
The photographs were showcased under
eight projects in a total of eight segments,
namely Off-Limits, The Rebel with A Smile,
Wishing Tree, Frozen Song, Crossroads
Collectives' Intervention, Baba Betar,
Chhapakhana Archive, Anatomies of
Tongues and projects under the Chobi Mela
Fellowship 2021, which was awarded to 14
young artists under the special segment
curated by Zihan Karim titled 'Bodh',
inspired from Jibanananda Das's poem of
the same name.
Tanzim Wahab, ASM Rezaur Rahman and
Sarker Protick, along with Anushka
Rajendran, Nazmun Nahar Keya and Zihan
Karim, curated this year's Chobi Mela.
Photographic artworks from a total of 32
local and foreign artists were showcased.
Participating collectives were Cheragi Art
Show (Jog Art Space) from Chattogram,
Daagi Art Garage from Dhaka, Kali
Collective from Dhaka and Colomboscope
from Sri Lanka.
One of the major highlights in this year's
edition has been 'Baba Betar' by artist Arfun
Ahmed, an experimental art-radio project.
This special edition of the festival also
observed and celebrated 'Drik Day' on
February 13, 'Pathshala Day' on February
14, 'Solidarity Day' on February 15 and
'Baba Betar Day' on February 16.
For the next six months, the virtual
exhibition can be experienced on
www.chobimela.org or by clicking on the
link https://artcon.com.bd/vr/chobimela/.
Since the inaugural edition in 2000, Chobi
Mela has been one of the most celebrated
photographic events in Asia.
Salauddin Lavlu , Sagor
president and general
secretary of Directors' Guild
TBT reporT
The noted director and actor
Salauddin Lavlu was elected as
president of Directors' Guild
election for the second
consecutive time, while
Kamruzzaman Sagar was
elected as the general secretary.
Salauddin Lavlu secured the
president position with 170
votes while his competitors
Ananta Hira got 149 votes and
Dipu Hazra was left with 12
votes only.
Kamruzzaman Sagor won
the general secretary post
TBT reporT
Shafiq Tuhin, the singer, lyricist
and music director along with
singer Ayesha Mousumi have
lent their voice to an 18 years old
song titled 'Buk Chin Chin
Korche Hai' from the film
with 170 votes while his
competitor Mostafa Kamal
Raj lost by just 9 votes.
Masum Aziz, Faridul Hasan
and Rafiqullah Selim won the
posts of vice-president.
Piklu Chowdhury and Firoz
Khan won as joint general
secretaries.
Ferari Amit was elected as
the organisational secretary.
Shahidunnabi won the
position of publicity and
publication secretary.
Training and Archive
Secretary position was won by
Mostafa Manon. Information
George Clooney, Julia Roberts
reunite for Ticket to Paradise
Hollywood stars George Clooney
and Julia Roberts are set to reunite
for upcoming movie Ticket to
Paradise.
The film, which hails from
Universal Pictures and Working
Title, will be directed by The Best
Exotic Marigold Hotel helmer Ol
Parker, reported Variety.
Clooney and Roberts will play a
divorced couple who teams up and
travels to Bali to stop their daughter
from making the same mistake they
think they made 25 years ago.
The two actors previously
collaborated on two Ocean's Eleven
films and also for 2016 movie
Money Monster.
Ticket to Paradise has a script
from Theodore Melfi based on an
idea by Parker and Daniel Pipski.
Working Title's Tim Bevan and
Eric Fellner will produce alongside
Deborah Balder Stone and Sarah
Harvey. Clooney most recently
featured in Netflix's sci-fi movie The
Midnight Sky. Roberts will next star
as Martha Mitchell in the TV series
Gaslit.
Source: The Indian Express
and Technology Secretary
position was secured by
Anisul Haque. Law and
Welfare Secretary is Niaz
Mahmud Akkas while Office
Secretary was won by Golam
Muktadir.
The Directors' Guild
election saw 397 voters
among which 359 people have
voted while 28 votes have
been cancelled.
Sazzad Hossain Sony has
been elected finance secretary
'Bastob' (2003). The titled of the
new version of the song is 'Buk
Chin Chin 2.0'.
Written by Kabir Bakul, the
original song was sung by
Andrew Kishore and Doly
Sayontoni. Popular actors
Manna and Purnima were lipsynced
to the song. The new
version's music is arranged by
Alvi Al Biruni.
Under the banner of Anupam
Records, the shooting of this bigbudget
music video has been
completed at Bangladesh Film
Development Corporation
(BFDC) recently.
Choreographer Habib has
made the video while Shupto
and Shakila Parvin will be seen
in the music video along with the
singers.
About the song, Shafiq Tuhin
and Abu Hayat Mahmud,
Imraul Huda Rafat,
Anisuzzaman
Anis,
Mahmudunnabi, Tariq
Muhammad Hasan, Mostafizur
Rahman Suman and Hafizur
Rahman Suruj have been
elected executive committee
members, uncontested.
Actor-director SM
Mohsin along with Naresh
Bhuiyan and Masum Reza
announced the result at 8
pm yesterday.
Shafiq, Ayesha lent voice
to 'Buk Chin Chin 2.0'
and Ayesha Mousumi said, "We
are very happy to lend our voice
to this popular song. Our main
aim is to introduce the old
legendary Bangla movie songs to
the new generation.
That's why we have lent our
voice to the song with new
arrangement. The music video of
the song is also very attractive.
Hopefully, 'Buk Chin Chin 2.0'
will be another smash hit."
The song will be released on
the YouTube channel of
Anupam Music soon.
Aishwarya Rai's Pakistani doppelganger
Aamna Imran stuns internet
Bollywood actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has got another
addition to her list of doppelgangers. After Manasi Naik, Ammuzz
Amrutha and Mahlagha Jaberi, who got noticed for their
resemblance to the former Miss World, it is Aamna Imran who
has caught the attention of people on the internet. Aamna is a
beauty blogger from Pakistan who is quite active on social media.
On her Instagram account, Aamna often recreates
Aishwarya's looks from her movies. She also has a few videos
where she is seen enacting scenes from films like Ae Dil Hai
Mushkil, Devdas and Mohabbatein. One of her videos shows
her posing like Aishwarya with the song "Dil Dooba" from the
movie Khakhee playing in the background.
In 2005, actor Sneha Ullal was also compared to Aishwarya
when she made her debut in the movie Lucky No Time For
Love. The audience found her quite similar to Aishwarya and
even called her the 'second Aishwarya of Bollywood'.
Aishwarya was recently spotted at a family wedding where
she danced along with daughter Aaradhya and husband
Abhishek Bachchan. On the work front, Aishwarya is back to
the movies and has started work on her next film Ponniyin
Selvan, a historical drama by filmmaker Mani Ratnam.
Source: Hindustan Times
H o r o s c o p e
ArIes
(March 21 - April 20) : You might feel
more energetic than you have in a long
time, Aries. The day's planetary aspects
offer a powerful energy that will increase
your mental acuity and physical strength, and this can
really help you tackle and finish any tasks that have
been piling up. If you manage to accomplish so much
that you have time to spare, help others lighten their
load. Tend to your own first, however.
TAUrUs
(April 21 - May 21) : If there's something
you want to take on, Taurus, today's the
day. The celestial aspects will see an
increase in physical and mental strength
that can work wonders for you. Put any insecurity or
lack of confidence in the trash, and take the steps you
need to tackle your project or goal. You have the
ability to make sound judgments, so put your trust in
this talent. Take steps to get what you want.
GeMINI
(May 22 - June 21) : Jealousy might rear
its head today, Gemini. The key to it all is to
understand where and why you feel
insecure. If you're jealous of a mate, what's
going on in the relationship? Is trust an issue? If this
comes up at work, is it because you don't feel recognized
for your contributions? Examine the cause of jealousy.
It's almost always a symptom of a deeper problem.
cANcer
(June 22 - July 23) : Arts and crafts
may interest you today, Cancer. Even
if you lean more toward sports, an
artistic streak will likely run pretty
strong in you. The process of creating can be
richly satisfying, both in the process and in the
satisfaction of a finished product. Allow yourself
the opportunity to explore this, as the day's energy
will lend much to your abilities.
Leo
(July 24 - Aug. 23): Getting along
with others may prove challenging
today, Leo. The influence from the
planetary aspects can have you
preferring to withdraw and isolate. You might feel
impatient and annoyed. If so, and being alone is an
option, go for it. If it isn't, you will need to curb the
tendency to be argumentative or confrontational.
Exercise patience and avoid conflict.
VIrGo
(Aug. 24 - Sept. 23): Don't be surprised if
you're a little weepy today, Virgo. The
influence from planets can enhance your
sensitivity to almost everything, including
your own feelings. Take heart. It's bound to be shortlived.
Cry if you need to, since it can be cleansing. Try
not to wallow too much. Chances are good that things
will look better tomorrow. Take care of yourself today.
LIBrA
(Sept. 24 - Oct. 23): Fanaticism or
obsessive thinking may be something you
need to look at today, Libra. Common
areas for such behaviors are in the pursuit
of money, power, success, and romance. There's a fine
line between ambition and obsession. If you find that
you think of nothing else but one fixation, it may be time
to talk with someone about it. He or she may see what
you don't want to see.
scorpIo
(Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) : Don't act
impulsively today, Scorpio. It could be
easy to confuse this with spontaneity.
One has more thought put into it than
the other. With this day's influence, be certain to
look before you leap. Think everything through,
from decisions to projects to contracts. Read the
fine print more than once. When it comes to
relationships, be careful not to trust too quickly.
sAGITTArIUs
(Nov. 23 - Dec. 21): Is it time to take a more
drastic approach to a problem, Sagittarius? If
you've made several attempts to resolve your
trouble but to no avail, you might consider it.
As long as "drastic" doesn't mean "destructive," you may
find success trying something far more forward and
insistent. Be careful, however. Think things through
carefully first. Run any ideas you have past a trusted friend.
cAprIcorN
(Dec. 22 - Jan. 20): Tap into your creativity
to unblock the emotional flow today,
Capricorn. This can be a powerful tool.
Creativity is a big part of who you are,
almost as big as communication. Your emotions link
to these two aspects and constantly interact beneath
the surface. If one gets blocked, release it by focusing
on the other. Express yourself through creativity and
consider talking to someone close.
AQUArIUs
(Jan. 21 - Feb. 19) : You may need to deal
with someone's disapproval today,
Aquarius. This will likely come from
someone you see as either a superior or
authority figure, perhaps a parent. While it's important
to listen to this person, if what they say involves your
job, personal life, or how you choose to live, it's no one's
concern but yours. No matter how you do things,
someone will disapprove somewhere.
pIsces
(Feb. 20 - Mar. 20) : Time alone is
essential for everyone, Pisces, but make
sure you recognize when you're isolated to
the point where it's unhealthy. If you
realize you're alone because you're avoiding something,
you might consider your alternatives. Things will only
fester under these conditions. Face whatever it is that's
upsetting you so you can begin to work things out.