The Ekushey Boi Mela has been a memorable cultural odyssey and this year has been no different. For you, Star Lifestyle brings forth the top 5 highlights from the Ekushey Boi Mela 2024!

Being held this year at Purbachal’s Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre, the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) brings merchants from across the country and around the globe. And with the curtains about to be drawn on the month-long fair on 20 February, let us take a look at some of the best this fair has on offer.

The journey of every marriage marks the beginning of a new chapter in our lives — a chapter filled with shared dreams, cherished memories, and a vision to craft a cosy haven that mirrors the distinct tastes and personas of both partners. For newlyweds settling into their new home, the living room invariably assumes a pivotal role as a hub for relaxation, and socialising, and a place for hosting occasional parties with loved ones.

Wetlands, often referred to as the kidneys of the earth, perform numerous vital functions that go largely unnoticed. To educate people and create awareness, World Wetland Day is celebrated globally on 2 February. A special project titled Biodiversity for Resilient Livelihood (B4RL), supported by the Swedish Embassy and run by the Center for Natural Resource Studies (CNRS), has been initiated to teach kids about the importance of wetlands.

Aloki's premises buzzed with an unusual crowd — a rare sight for any event in Dhaka. This was the second appearance of the Dhaka Makers event at Aloki on Gulshan-Tejgaon Link Road, with the view of supporting and nurturing the rich arts and crafts culture of Dhaka. Workshops were organised that helped people reconnect to rustic Bengal, and also to come closer to nature.

Amidst the cacophony of the fairground, the sound of the flute came floating in the air. An elderly man was seen immersed in playing the bansuri (flute). He sat on a mat, with his craft — bamboo flutes — in front of him. Clad in a worn-out hoodie and faded pants, he looked no less endearing than a character from a modern-day fairy tale. Hailing from the district of Jhenaidah, Kamol Sarker, now 80, attends fairs in the city, hoping to sell his handmade bamboo flutes.

Originating from the Tangail district in Bangladesh, Tangail saris have been a part of our cultural heritage for ages. However, West Bengal has been awarded the geographical indication (GI) tag for Tangail saris — a decision that has stirred up a considerable amount of debate and concern. On 1 February, 2024, India’s Ministry of Culture wrote in a post on Facebook, “The Tangail saree, originating from West Bengal, is a traditional handwoven masterpiece.”

Most people envision flying across the world by plane, but never by foot. But Sydney-born 27-year-old Australian Alexander Campbell has decided to set out on a four-year walking journey that will take him across more than 30 nations and four continents! And guess what? His present location is in Bangladesh!

A four-day flower festival has begun at Godkhali in Jhikargacha upazila of Jashore. The festival will continue till February 3

American Psycho. The Dark Knight. Ford v Ferrari — English actor Christian Bale has cemented himself as one of the most versatile actors in Hollywood today, with fans and critics alike admiring his astonishing acting range. The Academy Award winning actor started his career at a young age with his breakthrough role in Steven Spielberg’s film, Empire of the Sun (1987), at the age of 13. Showing an unbreakable dedication to his roles throughout all of his films, there is no doubt everyone can learn a few lessons from his inspiring rise to fame.

Overtaking Elon Musk to become the richest man in the world, Bernard Arnault, the billionaire CEO and chairman of LVMH, a multinational luxury goods firm that owns brands including Louis Vuitton, is taking over front pages. Forbes magazine reported that Arnault and his family's wealth increased by $23.6 billion last Friday, bringing their total net worth to $207.8 billion whereas, Tesla's CEO had a net worth of $204.5 billion at that time.

The most common misunderstanding about co-shared workspaces is that one particular place is used by many individuals simultaneously. It might give the impression that you have no choice but to work in an uncomfortable setting with a lot of strangers.

Congratulations on starting a new chapter in your life! Whether you are about to find a cosy little place of your own or are going to move in with your family, the bedroom is a place where the two of you get to design a space just for yourselves. And chances are, you find yourselves facing probably the most common dilemma of modern, urban living – making all your stuff fit.

Thread is the first-ever brand to have emerged itself to explore and introduce a product line made with the base of Shital Pati, something that has not been tried before or yet on a comparatively large commercial scale.

Hailed as the first modern poet and the first rebel poet of Bangla literature, Madhusudan’s rebellion against the conservative society and the contemporary style of literature was daring and the first step towards modern Bangla literature.

As the house's social centre, the living room is irreplaceable and arranging furniture for cohesion in the living area is essential. So, whether you choose a couch with a bold pattern or an eye-catching divan as the focal point, following these guidelines will help you design a living room in which you and your spouse will want to spend some quality time.

Located in Selangor, north of Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur, the Batu Caves are one of the most frequented Hindu shrines outside India. The limestone caves are believed to be over 400 million years old. A 42.7-metre-high golden statue of the Hindu god of War, Lord Murugan, towers near the foot of the rainbow-coloured staircase.

Popular singer and Louis Vuitton’s newly appointed creative director for men’s fashions, Pharrell Williams has unveiled an innovative addition. This accessory, a luxurious version of a classic paper sandwich bag, comes with a hefty price tag of over $3,000 or over Tk 3 lakh!

Welcome to the vibrant world of Dhaka Kitsch. This brainchild of renowned artist, Kuhu Plamondon and designer, Chondona Dewan, is a celebration of Dhaka's spirit. The infusion of pop art, movie posters, and rickshaw art onto everyday clothing items like t-shirts, scarves, bags, purses, and umbrellas transforms mundane essentials into artistic masterpieces.

While walking along the streets you may come across the Manobotar Deyal, translated as Wall of Humanity, where people can hang clothes or other essentials. Similarly, cartoonist Morshed Mishu has built a unique display of kindness — a wall adorned not with ordinary embellishments, but with toys. The wall was set up on 25 December at Ibrahimpur in Mirpur-14.