Masroor ul Haq Siddiqi Bir Uttam (Komol Siddiqi) passed away in the early hours of October 7.

Historically, Bangladesh has been built on pluralistic ideals born out of the Language Movement of 1952 and the Liberation War of 1971.

Abrar Fahyaz, a Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) student at Dhaka University (DU), created a war time-lapse showcasing the 1971 Liberation War from a military perspective. 

Freedom is something chased by many yet fully grasped by surprisingly few. In Bangladesh, where the echoes of the Liberation War still pulsate strongly in the hearts of its people, freedom takes on various forms and meanings depending on whom you ask.

In an exclusive interview with The Daily Star, the eminent artiste talked about his Liberation War days, our independence, theatre activism, his upcoming film projects, and more.

Chowdhury’s contributions go beyond this iconic song and journalism. He was a distinguished storyteller with notable works, including the acclaimed short story collection “Samrat-er Chhobi” (The Emperor’s Picture). He also authored significant novels and plays, consistently emerging as an active progressive writer and political commentator through the twists and turns of history. He was not just an observer of history but an active participant.

A boy, barely out of childhood, holds a grenade in his hand. His gaze, although defiant, also holds a flicker of innocence, a boyish vulnerability peeking through the steely resolve. Flanking him on either side stand two older teenagers, rifles aimed towards the enemy.

So in the spirit of Independence, I urge my reader to exercise independence of consumption—to question what you are buying, what you are reading, what you are watching, and which of these you are really given the freedom to choose.

In the early 1960s, another covert group codenamed “Nucleus” emerged in the scene to further the cause of an independent Bangladesh alongside the Inner Group, East Bengal Liberation Front, and Apurba Sangsad.

The Daily Star (TDS): What was the situation like on the eve of the 1971 war?

The Daily Star (TDS): What sparked your interest in researching the events of 1971 in Bangladesh, particularly the connection to Australia, which had largely remained obscure before your investigation?

The War of Liberation in 1971 commenced late on the night of March 25th, as the Pakistani army initiated a genocidal campaign from all its cantonments, aiming to seize control of cities amidst the growing resistance movement.

We were returning via Fazlul Haque Avenue. Islamabad had three roads named after A.K. Fazlul Haque, Khwaja Nazimuddin, and Suhrawardy.

In the wake of the ‘Mountbatten Plan’ on June 3, 1947, which set the date of independence for August 14 of the same year, British India was slated to be divided into two dominions: Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan.

Over the last four decades, commemorative writings about the liberation war have established themselves as a separate genre of writing in the literary scene in Bangladesh.

The following are 7 monuments that people can easily visit this Swadhinata Dibosh or The Independence Day, to reconnect with history.

Ekushey Padak-winning musician Azam Khan is regarded as the pioneer of Bangla pop music. He was not only the first pop superstar of Bangladesh, but he was also a freedom fighter who valiantly fought for the independence of the country. Today, on his 74th birth anniversary, this article chronicles this maestro's life, tracing his journey from the Liberation War until his death on June 5, 2011.

After 52 years, do we practise our founding principles?

We don’t worry about freeing everyone anymore; we only think of ourselves.

Would it be too much to ask you/ To forgive me for the carnal sin I did not commit?