Abida Rahman Chowdhury

Dhaka, it looks like, is bursting at its seams with the overwhelming number of cars, buses and trucks hitting the streets every day. A city small in physical proportions yet harbouring an exceedingly high number of people, Dhaka at first sight is overcrowded and full of rubble.

Forlorn pictures of antiquity paint images of sun-beaten men rowing their boats through the blue-grey waters of the Shitalakhya -- their faded orange sails swishing with the breeze and the lonely air occasionally pierced with the folk songs of Hasson Raja emanating from the deep vocals of the majhi.

Every diet seems to falter when a lady encounters that melting chocolate fudge drenched in some more chocolate syrup, hiding thousands of calories beneath its sweet façade. Add to that a Bengali 'dawat' and you find yourself spiralling down the diet ladder and climbing up to sweet heaven all at the same time -- the sweet creamy 'paayesh', the globes of 'roshogolla' drenched in sweet syrup, and the cups laden with 'Bogra boi'. Well all is not sweet in this sweet galore and Star lifestyle has put together a list of alternative sweeteners that will allow you guilt-free indulgence when your heart desires.

Looming just around the corner is that time of the year again, where all the goodies are brought out, where all mothers leave no stone unturned in preparing that beautiful dish, the day when everyone is in high spirits after a month of fasting.

Rummaging through your wardrobe every sultry summer morning pondering over what to wear to university or going through all your evening wear trying to decide what to wear on an evening out with friends or maybe even the plain woes young adults and teenagers face everyday deciding what to wear can be quite exhausting.

Writing about stories of one's past, of an era gone by, of innocent childhood memories can often be a daunting task. The city we call home is on a fast-forward button as old staff quarters and memories are torn down while huge apartment complexes religiously shoot up to take their place.

A real, tangible and everyday concern in today's progressing world are the subjects of homophobia, trans-misogyny, sexism and racism and although the latter two are now deemed unacceptable in society many people still harbour feelings of homophobia and transphobia deep within themselves without any castigation or rebuke.

She is a woman of extremes -- extreme tolerance, endurance, strength and compassion personifies this lady who has been by you through all your ups and downs.

Pursuing a sport in Dhaka can be a cumbersome task, given the lack of parks, pockets of green space or even a designated sidewalk for pedestrians. Picking up a sport can also be a tough decision, the amount of physical labour you are willing to put in, the proximity of the location where you can practise and your overall dedication to the game.

The sharp zing of onions as you slice them fine, the clang of pans and pots, the distinct aroma of Bengali spices as they hit the hot oil. These are flavours we grow up with.

Dhaka Weddings are a glorious affair, a celebration of two families coming together whilst the bride and groom take centre stage in the event.

Gold has been a part of our lives ever since its discovery by the Arabs around 6000 BC. With its Latin name Aurum meaning "shining dawn", it is of little surprise that this element has been used in artwork and jewellery, what with its physical properties donning malleability and durability, for as long as one can think back. Gold is in fact considered quite so valuable that it has long been used for the purpose of monetary exchanges.

About 500 km away from the bustle and busy hum-drum of Dhaka and 10km away from the mainland, across the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal lies the only coral island of Bangladesh -- Saint Martin's Island.

The language that we so proudly speak today is soaked in blood, bears the weight of a war, has a history of influence from Europeans, Mughals, Arabs, Persians, and East Asians thus adapting many words from their language.

Nothing beats the feeling you get from a fresh home-cooked meal after time away from your home. Large cuts of rui fish (grass carp) swimming in a broth of red chilli and chunks of cauliflower garnished with fresh coriander, each morsel bursting with flavours of the clean cuts of fish, leave me looking for more.

The Dhaka International Trade Affair is a symbolic feature of the Dhaka winters. Come January and DITF opens its doors to all the Dhakaiites to add just another dose of entertainment to the already party laden winters. This year, the usual serenade of the DITF started ten days late owing to the political turmoil that had tainted a better part of the last year.

An old folklore spins the story of three young ladies who were questioned by their beloved father to express how much they love him by use of particular objects of choice.

Did the night sky always charm you? Have you always dreamt of losing yourself in the world of Hercules and Scorpius?

What language unites us all? What has waged so many wars, inspired so many men to brave harsh seas and desolate deserts?

The clang of pans, smoke rising, smells emanating from the dark pot brewing a rich, dense stew, the sound of crisp vegetables being cut and stir fried these are the smells, sounds and sights that come from a kitchen that is in action. Being a Bangladeshi, it is no surprise that we are all food connoisseurs at heart-- going to the markets in the mornings, braving the water clogged streets and haggling our lungs sore, all for the sake of bagging the freshest and best ingredients to cook a perfect meal.