At the "Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art" auction, organised by Sotheby’s in New York on Thursday (September 26), Abedin’s painting "Untitled" was sold for US $692,048, or approximately Tk 8.27 crore. This marks the highest price ever paid for a Bangladeshi artwork at auction.

The essence of the events Bangladesh witnessed during the student-led mass uprising in July and August, which escalated into a bloodied revolution, ultimately toppling the regime of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and giving rise to what we now call a new Bangladesh, is truly inexplicable.

The Daily Star today hosted an evocative and poignant public lecture titled “Political Cartoon in Bangladesh: Past, Present & Future”. The engaging discussion, which had a restricted number of seats available, was effectively led by the creative Senior Cartoonist Mehedi Haque from Daily New Age. His ideation shone through as he guided the conversation, ensuring it was both informative and stimulating for the attendees.

Against the backdrop of rising tides and saltwater-soaked lands, the stage drama “Nona Joler Kanna” (Tears of Saline Water) took centre stage at Asilaha Auditorium, delivering a powerful portrayal of the everyday hardships faced by coastal communities in Bagerhat. 

The event showcased 20 breathtaking photographs taken by renowned Bangladeshi photographer and travel writer Muhammad Mostafigur Rahman, whose work has earned widespread international recognition. These vivid images captured the serene beauty of Bangladesh, from its stunning natural landscapes to the peaceful lives of its people.

Renowned playwright and cultural icon Mamunur Rashid has sadly lost his cherished wife, Gawhar Ara Mamun, a quiet yet significant presence in the Bangladeshi theatre community.

Noor, one of the country's leading cultural personalities, a popular actor and recitation artiste, president of the Bangladesh Recitation Coordination Council, and a member of the advisory council of the Sommilito Sangskritik Jote, was arrested on Sunday night in connection with a murder case in Mirpur.

Actress Jyotika Jyoti, who also served as the Director of the Research Department at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, left the office on Tuesday (September 17) following protests from her colleagues. Tension escalated when Jyoti arrived at the office that morning, eventually leading to her departure from the premises.

In the dimly lit gallery, decorated with revolutionary-themed art, Anusheh Anadil spoke about love and revolution. A circle of people gathered to discuss the changes they hoped to see in post-revolution Bangladesh. Outside, raindrops tapped gently, while the sound of the Tanpura filled the air. A cat, wearing a blue bandana, wandered through the audience during the inaugural session of the two-week-long festival “Re-love-ution” or “Premandolon” at Jatra Biroti in Banani.

The event, held on Saturday (September 14) at Counter Foto’s Mirpur campus, was designed to help frontline journalists cope with the significant mental health challenges they’ve faced since reporting on the movement, including trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Many of these journalists were unaware of the extent of their psychological distress, which had developed while covering violent protests and human rights violations during the movement.

Wakilur Rahman’s “Monon Khonon” solo exhibition is underway at Bengal Shilpalay in the capital’s Dhanmondi area. Through this exhibition, he has crafted the essence of visual art by making local elements relevant within a global contemporary context. His work speaks to the unique relationship between the people of the delta region and their environment, using art to bridge the gap between the ancient and the modern, the local and the universal.

Syed Jamil Ahmed, the newly appointed director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, has called for the allocation of at least three percent of the national GDP for the cultural sector to make the academy financially capable and self-sufficient.

It is to be noted that following the recent downfall of the former government following the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, Liaquat Ali Lucky, who served as the Director General of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) for over a decade, stepped down from his position on August 12.

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy’s former Director General Liaquat Ali Lucky’s reign of power over Dhaka's theatre scene and the country, as a whole, has been described as a “living dictator.” To prevent any similar figures from taking this kind of autocratic and illicit root in the future, a group of theatre activists has put forward several proposals.

Masudur Rahman’s solo art exhibition, titled “Journey of Cosmos”, is currently on display at Alliance Française de Dhaka in Dhanmondi. It is a profound contemplation of the interconnection between humanity, nature, and the universe. The artist’s work delves into the vastness and emptiness of the human mind, revealing how these elements impart sophisticated depth to creation, love, and life.

Cartoons, as a form of artistic activism, speak the language of time. They highlight contemporary political events and societal absurdities, often at great personal risk to the artists. Despite the former AL-led government's attempts to instil fear during the anti-discrimination student movement, the people's resolve only grew stronger. Cartoonists were no exception, capturing the then government's atrocities—murders, repression, and abductions—in powerful images that spread like wildfire across social media. These cartoons became the movement's fuel, igniting further resistance.

Mustafa Monwar, lovingly known as Bangladesh's "Puppet Man," has been a towering figure in the country's artistic and cultural landscape. Born on September 1, 1935, Monwar’s contributions to puppetry, painting, visual arts, and television have made him a symbol of creative freedom and expression.

The finest characteristic of Amitab’s paintings is that they invoke emotions and create a chain of thoughts. His artworks speak of his commitment to proportions and balance. His imagination comes alive through the colours and textures of his canvases. Calm and chaos both exist in his works harmoniously. According to the curator, the artist orchestrates atemporal, and spatial configurations with deliberate and methodical approaches and they align with the aesthetics of the abstract. 

Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) is currently hosting “Beyond the Gaze”, showcasing a profound exploration of intimacy, identity, and isolation through the lens of emerging photographers and artists. The exhibition features works from the PSA: Beyond the Gaze 2023–2024 workshop, an initiative supported by Photo South Asia under the MurthyNAYAK Foundation, and partnered with AFD and Kiran Nadar Museum of Art in Delhi, India.

The centre, which had been closed since the beginning of Ramadan for repairs, welcomed audiences last Friday (August 30). The South City Corporation initiated the renovation in the second week of March, addressing several issues, including malfunctioning air conditioning and lifts, as well as other technical faults.