Nafisa Faruque

Recently named one of the 'Cool Crusaders of Conscious Clothing' by Vogue India, Living Blue is one of the frontlining revivalists of indigo as a natural dye in Bangladesh. Besides cultivation, it focuses on producing a range of unique products involving quilting and hand embroidery.

Even today, the story entailing indigo farming in the region of Bengal is one of indomitable tyranny and ruthless oppression. When the British rule collapsed, the cash crop almost vanished, leaving behind numerous dilapidated 'Neel Kuthis' (indigo extraction centres). However, the raw potency of indigo was what made its extinction far from possible in this region.

The tropical climate, riverine lands and lush soils were the most suitable conditions for indigo plants to grow in this deltaic part of the world. In Bengal, indigo farming began as early as the 18th century during the British colonial rule. Owing to the Industrial Revolution in the west that kicked off around 1750, the demand for indigo

Admit it. We all just adore an elaborate spread of chhola, peyaju, beguni and kebabs galore, the top traditional items that we simply cannot imagine having an iftar without. But before you prepare to feast upon all these foods in all their delectable oily glory, here's some food for thought:

We spend a great deal of time and money behind taking care of our skin; doing everything we can to treat it the best way possible. Most of the time, however, we tend to overlook our nails, which are often the most neglected part of our body.

In the wake of the year of 1971, a silent uprising was surging in the agitated hearts of thousands of Bangalis residing in what was then East Pakistan. At that time, Dhaka was an indispensable (yet deemed abominable by West Pakistan) part of Pakistan. The epic win in the 1970 elections by the Awami League had ignited emotions of strength and unanimity but peace and independence were yet to be realized.

Fateh Ali Chowdhury (decorated member of the Crack Platoon, freedom fighter of the 1971 Liberation War and currently working as the Director of Consolidated Services Limited) was a bright young student of the English department of Dhaka University then. “In my youth, I was quite jovial and carefree,” Chowdhury admits. While he was well aware of the tense situation in the East Pakistan region in March then, the thought of an imminent war had not occurred to him yet.

Nine months, which undeniably felt much longer than they were, had passed and thousands of lives had been lost. The lionhearted freedom fighters who had been in constant battle for days and nights persevered with every ounce of strength and courage they had left in them. Their resilience and unity had managed to weaken the nerves of the enemy to a significant extent and when the Indian forces joined

Too often, women are maligned by endless criticism, spiteful looks and aggressive jabs of a dysfunctional society. At the same time, on multiple occasions, they are revered as goddesses, mother, sister, wife and a friend you can always count on.

Motifs —decorative images used to unify an elaborate design or even an idea— have probably existed since the dawn of civilisation. They can be found in people's everyday lives and activities. In fact, if you look closely, you will notice that there are motifs in every object, starting from the basic clovers on your bedroom curtains to the clay planters sold on the roadside. Paisleys, a common and popular form of

Whether you are in a mood to discover unexplored sites in close proximity to the city, or you simply want to escape the stress, pollution and restlessness of the busy capital, a long drive could be the most relaxing getaway for you, if you know just where to go. So, check up on your ride's nitty-gritty, fill up the tank and get set to hit the open roads!

At least once in your life, you must have been to a grocery store or a modern convenience store to check off household shopping from your chores list. But shopping regularly from the store next-door can get monotonous easily, as well as expensive.

‘Maach-bazaar' or fish markets can be found in almost every small and big locality of this lush riverine land.

When you think of an office outfit, you have to make sure it is simple yet formal enough to make your 9 to 5 day more comfortable. With the temperatures dropping rapidly outside, sometimes it can be a pain in the neck to come up with the best outfit combinations for the fashion conscious working women.

Despite its relative short lifespan in Bangladesh, winter is perhaps the most lovable season of the year. The chilly breezes call forth a series of winter weddings and parties that go on as long as this pleasant weather lasts.

For a massive proportion of the population, winter means enduring a series of hardships and miseries.

“Skin and hair care, for men and women, are quite similar when it comes to the basics,” Dr Chowdhury began. “The key distinctions that separate a man's skin from a woman's are the thickness, texture and facial hair.

Medical treatment and healthcare in today's fast-paced world is costly.

A big bouquet of flowers, a lovable stuffed toy, a card with a wish full of blessings — these are often the elements that instantly pop in one's mind when thinking of Eid gifts, of course apart from the obvious clothes and shoes. There are also the options of stationery, cosmetics, bags and little knick knacks.

A cloud of darkness shrouds our mind stirring up a number of unpleasant emotions – unfathomable fear, misery and worries about the imminent future