Living in Dhaka, one rarely expects encounters with wildlife, especially monkeys. However, my home at Shahjadpur, beside an enormous mango tree, became the stage for a rather unusual drama involving a lone monkey!

Binat Bibi's Mosque or the Mosque of Bakht Binat at Narinda was established around 1456 CE, during the reign of Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah.

The sacrifice of animals on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha commemorates a sacrifice, which symbolises utmost loyalty and complete submission to the Almighty -- this is the first part of the Eid rituals.

Just a few kilometres off the city boundaries is a greener Dhaka. The colours and tempo of a busy market intrigues me with wafts of tea brewing in a soot-laden old kettle in a tea stall.

Generally speaking, the magnificent facade and the rather generous surroundings of a Mughal mosque are in sharp contrast with its small interior. 

The sound of printing in a letterpress machine has a certain rhythm to it. The ink, which is evenly spread on the platen or the flat platform of the press; the wheels running while copies of an image are produced by repeated direct impression -- all have a nostalgic pull to this near obsolete technology.

Tiny round tables, wrought iron chairs with red seaters, a grand piano on lend from Notre Dame College, a tiny reading corner, a food counter, and the air that has a hint of freshly brewed coffee or tea make this eatery -- Café la Véranda -- inviting.

On any given Jaishtha or high summer day, fruit vendors ply the streets of the city selling delicious seasonal fruits. Jaishtha -- the second month of the Bangla calendar, is also called “mishtimash” or “madhumash” because of the wide array of fruits available during this time. It is as if the season compensates for the discomfort of the hot and humid climate with the sweetness of deshi fruits.

The place is commonly known as the family graveyard of the Nawab family. In that same graveyard, there is also the final resting place of his father, Nawab Ahsanullah. 

Let’s neither beat about the bush nor indulge in sugar-coating because we neither have the time nor the empathy for any of that. The plain fact is -- Dhaka is an impatient, mean, rude, cruel, and selfish city. Call it “cranky Dhaka” if you will!

An act of kindness a day is what mental health counsellors suggest we do; we, the ones who find it difficult to navigate through life’s unforeseen situations. It can be something as trivial as leaving a bowl of water out for the birds, or buying something to eat/drink for the little girl selling jasmine garlands at traffic signals to make ends meet.

The drinks are of course great, and so is the Nurani legacy, being more than 70 years old! 

The recently held exhibition along with the book launch event of Bornomala: Bangla Alphabet Book Collection by Sabyasachi Hazra was profoundly insightful. As an artist, researcher, and prolific book cover designer, Hajra needs little introduction. He has been working to promote Bangla fonts, typography and calligraphy for a while and his efforts went into showing the evolution of Bangla alphabets at the show, Primer to Press.

Nawab Ahsanullah is indeed a historic figure. We remember him as a philanthropist and among his contributions was the installment of the first electric lights in Dhaka.

Dhaka residents often complain that there is no escape from the loud and congested city.

The building located at 25 Bangshal Road is a treasure trove of history. On one of the floors of the apartment, there are numerous antiques and artefacts that give us a sneak peek into the city’s history. Not directly related to political histories we read in textbooks, but something more intimate -- glimpses of family and social life in Dhaka of the bygone era.

The second-hand book market is a buoyant one and there are places in Dhaka, other than Nilkhet, where your desire to buy books meets affordability. With a keen eye and some bargaining skills, it is possible to make a deal at these places.

There is an undeniable charm associated with glass bangles, particularly during events like Pahela Baishakh. Traditionally sold by churiwalis, the craze for these colourful glass bangles died down in recent years as fashion changed.

“We hardly hear people talking about how lucky we are to be an independent nation. How incredible it is that we earned our freedom. Without understanding the trauma and struggles we endured to earn our freedom, the new generation cannot truly appreciate it.”

As Dhaka continues to tackle the woes of summer heat, the business of selling air conditioners, stand fans, table fans, and coolers has seen an obvious rise.