Machizo showcase

BIRD FLU – A Public Health Emergence

2008-03-12T16:49:52Z

“There was bird flu rumor, people did not want to take chicken but now buying. Now no problem. Now day by day the selling is increasing. We are eating. There is no problem after cooking…..” is saying of a street chicken seller. Dr. Sanjida Islam says, “ If we buy chicken after clean however wash excellently, there is fear on harmfulness for health. I would like to request to eat with family members. There is no fear. Not only chicken but also in ducks there is not problem…” Since January 2008, Bangladesh was dangerously panicked with bird flu. Although there was not happened any human cased. The majority people was anxious, did not eat chicken even eggs. The Poultry industry and business was collapsed . From the beginning government, media and concerned NGOs promote the issues as public health measure and basic alerts to save both poultry industry and lives. From this month March the people particularly city dwellers get back confidence with promotion. With bird flu panic many chicken shop closed for low sales. Shamim Ara Begam, Assistant director of BSTI says her confidence, “There is no logic to be panicked with bird flu as the virus die with boil; however doesnot effect in human body. So everyday we are eating chicken everyday , however chicken is favorite menu of the children. I am not facing any problem.” Her son’s feedback also same, “I everyday take eat and chicken. I hear the bird flu virus after boil . so I am not panicked with bird flu.” Although there was a big negative effect in business and life style, we interviewed persons to search the real situation. All say their confidence including Anowarul Isalm Khan, Chief Bureau of Health Education, “ we are working to make public awareness to against any sensitive public disease. We have taken initiative from main office and given the direction to all health workers to make public awareness. It is not difficult to protect. If we follow general pre-cautions . if we practice health environment in poultry firm; however if we use, aforon, mask and glaps during duck-chicken rearing. And if we don’t spread certain place; there is not problem.” Direction: Manirul Islam Khan Idea & Research: Priyakamon Khan Associates: J.Alam, Nasir Uddin Multimedia Production: Shahjahan Siraj/ Machizo Copyright: Siam Health Foundation, Siam Health Care www.siamhf.org

Ekushey Book Fair : অমর একুশে গ্রন্থমেলা

2008-03-01T13:51:42Z

বই মেলা, প্রাণের মেলা । বাংলা একাডেমী প্রাঙ্গণে অনুষ্ঠিত এ মেলায় হাজার হাজার পাঠক ও সংস্কৃতি সেবী মানুষের সামাগম ঘটে সারা ফেব্রুয়ারী মাসব্যাপী । বাংলাদেশের প্রায় সব প্রকাশক ও লেখকগণ এ মেলা উপলক্ষ্যে বই প্রকাশ করে থাকে। ২০০৮ সালের বই মেলায় ২ হাজারেরও বেশী বই প্রকাশিত হয়েছে। শুধু বই প্রকাশ নয়, অমর একুশে গ্রন্থমেলা আজ পরিণত হয়েছে বাংলা সাহিত্য ও সংস্কৃতির গুরুত্বপূর্ন কেন্দ্র। বই বিক্রয়ের পাশাপাশি এই মেলায় বাংলা একাডেমী ধারাবাহিক ভাবে সমকালীন বাংলা সাহিত্য ও সংকৃতির উপর সেমিনার, আলোচনা অনুষ্ঠান আয়োজন করে থাকে। আজকের এই গুরুত্বপূর্ণ মেলা প্রথম শরু হয়েছিল ১৯৭৩ সালে, মুক্তধারার প্রথিতযশা প্রকাশক চিত্তরজ্ঞন সাহার মুক্তিযুদ্ধের উপর প্রকাশিত বই প্রদশনীর মাধ্যমে। ১৯৭৪ সালে মুক্তধারা ও খান ব্রাদার্স যৌথভাবে অমর একুশে উপলক্ষ্যে সাতদিন ব্যাপী এ মেলা আয়োজন করে। এরপর থেকে বাংলাদেশ সরকার ও বাংলা একাডেমীর পৃষ্টপোষকতায় সারা ফেব্রুয়ারী মাসব্যাপী এ মেলা আয়োজিত হয়ে আসছে। এ মেলা আজ শুধু মেলাই নয়, বাংলা সাহিত্য চর্চার প্রাণকেন্দ্র। Ekushey book fair is a core event of Bangladesh literature and culture. Everyday thousands people come in this month-long event. Prominent publishers and writers of Bangladesh publish books on the eve of the Ekushey Book Fair. In this year more than 2000 books has been published. The fair was initiated by famous publisher “Chittoronjon Saha” at 1973 by displaying his books on Bangladesh, published in Calcutta during liberation war. In 1974 Muktadhara and Khan brothers jointly organized the event for 7 days. Since 1975 it has been organizing with the patronization of Bangla Academy and Bangladesh Government as a month-long event. In this event Bangla academy regularly organized seminar and discussion on contemporary Bangla literature and issues. Nowadays the event is playing important role in the development of Bangla literature and culture. Videography: J. Alam, Shahjahan Siraj Concept & editing: Shahjahan Siraj Production& Copyright: Machizo Multimedia

OFFICE TWENTY-ONE LTD

2008-02-28T02:44:59Z

The website for Office Twenty One Co. Ltd: http://www.office21.co.jp/

21 February - The Glory of Language

2008-02-27T20:43:57Z

21st February, the International Languages day is celebrating with highest honor and dignity nationwide. The millions of people gathers in Shahid Minir ( language monument) to honor the language martyr heroes. 1952 of this day, the lover of mother language sacrifice the lives to protect the Bangla from the grasps of non-democratic Pakistani rulers, who wanted to declare the Urdu as state language instead of Bangala, the language of majority peoples. At last it was settled Bangla as state language after the sacrifice of patriotic spirits & movement. The launages movement is the basement of Bangali nationalism from which Bangladeshi peoples inherited sprit to win in all democratic and rights movement includeing the independence of Bangladesh. On November 17, 1999, the Unesco declared February 21 as the International Mother Language Day, is celebrating worldwide. From President to general people of Bangladesh celebrate this day, offer the flowers in Shahid Minar with bare foot, however expressed the heart and devotion for national prosperity. The day is a public holiday. The national flag will be hoisted at half-mast atop all government, autonomous and private buildings. The government and different socio-political and cultural organisations have taken up separate programmes to observe the Language Martyrs' Day.It is an inspirational event to save the language and culture of thousand minority tribe of the world. Videography: J. Alam Concept & editing: Shahjahan Siraj Production& Copyright: Machizo Multimedia

Screening of The Optimists at NewYork, March 2, 2008

2008-02-27T19:51:47Z

‘ The Optimists: A Hope for the Bangladeshi Children’, a documentary film based on the activities of The Optimists, will be screened at 6:30 pm on Sunday, March 2, 2008 at PS 234 Auditorium(30-15 29th Street) in Astoria, NY. The Optimists has been working with a program named ‘Child Sponsorship Program’ (CSP) to help the helpless and distressed children of Bangladesh since the year 2000. Director Shahjahan Siraj visited the CSP project areas and interviewed the sponsored children, their families, and the Optimists’ doctors, officers and volunteers. He also used the statistical data, information and pictures of the Bangladeshi distressed children. These children are in a very neglected and miserable condition, without proper education, nutrition, healthcare, and are often forced to be engaged in child labor. The film ‘Optimists: A Hope for the Bangladeshi Children’ will help you understand how helpful the CSP is in the lives of the sponsored children. There will be a Q&A session at the end and light refreshments will be served. Please attend the show and witness the Optimists’ effort with support from expatriate Bangladeshis and others. Minhaz Ahmed

Radio clip on The Rickshaw Puller

2008-02-06T18:11:20Z

http://www.panosradiosouthasia.org/prsa/prsaarchives.php?id=27]]> Magazine 19 Script: Bangladesh The Rickshaw Puller In: Signature Tune Begin.mp3 Hello. You’re listening to Panoscope, a fortnightly radio magazine produced by Panos Radio South Asia. On this edition of Panoscope, we go to Dhaka - the bustling capital of Bangladesh where thousands of rickshaws, those jauntily decorated three wheelers, jostle for space with cars, pedestrians, trucks, tempos and bicycles. Yet the migrant population that man these vehicles around the city often remain faceless, swelling the ranks of Dhaka’s urban poor. In: Bridge Begin.mp3 In Dhaka, a bustling metropolis of twelve million people, visitors are struck by waves of rickshaws. The colourfully decorated non motorised vehicles are everywhere. Yet rickshaw wallahs, the men who manoeuvre the three-wheelers around the city’s congested and polluted streets remain faceless. Forced by famine, floods, and debt, an estimated nine out of ten rickshaw drivers have migrated to Dhaka, swelling the ranks of the city’s urban poor. Mohammad Nantu Sarkar and his wife Fatima lead a hand to mouth existence in Dhaka’s slums. They spoke to Panoscope’s Siraj Sirajuddin. Fade In: Bangladesh The Rickshaw Puller Final Mixdown.mp3 In: SFX Bangladesh Rickshaw Traffic.mp3 Nantu, the Rickshaw Puller: My name is Mohammed Nantu Sharker. I come from Barguna Thana in Borishal district. We came to Dhaka after the river swept away our land and house. I came as a child. I would break construction bricks with my parents. When I grew older I started pulling a rickshaw. I don’t have any other skill. I want to learn to drive a taxi but I don’t have the money to buy a license to operate a taxi. I earn my daily income pulling rickshaws. We live a hand to mouth existence. My daughter is seven and my son is six years old. We cannot afford a private school so we send them to public school where they get clothes and food. It’s hard to make ends meet. I used to make two hundred to two hundred and fifty Taka daily. Now that the city’s main roads have been closed to rickshaws, I only make hundred to hundred and fifty Taka. It’s difficult to get by on this decreased income. So my wife also works. She earns fifteen hundred Taka a month. We cannot save anything. Fatima, the Rickshaw Puller’s Wife: I get fifteen hundred Taka. We live in the slums where the house rent is low. However, we have to buy wood for cooking fuel. Here, the smell from the leather tanneries is very strong and there’s a high risk of diseases. We have to bear the terrible smell. We’re compelled to live here with our children. I walk to work which is about three miles away. I start at seven in the morning and arrive at work around nine. I finish work around three to four in the evening and go home. At home I cook dinner, bathe the children and myself and finish the housework. By the time I retire, it’s midnight. I have to wake up early again. It’s hard. In: SFX Rickshaw Driving.mp3 Nantu, the Rickshaw Puller: I don’t own a rickshaw. I rent one. I have to pay fifty Taka for half a day and ninety Taka for the whole day. I have to pay the rent even if I fall sick. Before I would operate the rickshaw around the whole of Dhaka city since the roads were accessible to us. Since the government imposed a ban on rickshaws in Dhaka’s main streets, we cannot enter Mirpur or go to Motijil. Now we operate in the suburbs. Before we could earn at least two hundred Taka. Now it’s only hundred Taka. After paying the rental fee, it’s difficult to save hundred Taka. There is no time to rest in between trips. Whereas we charge fifty Taka, motorized vehicles charge passengers forty Taka for the same route. Passengers also seem to prefer motorized transport since the route we take is longer. So we have to reduce our price. Otherwise passengers will take other vehicles. Moreover, the number of rickshaws has increased so there’s a rush for the passengers. Fatima, the Rickshaw Puller’s Wife: We don’t have any property or any savings. We live from hand to mouth. If we managed to put aside some savings, we’d like to build a house in the village. If my husband could drive a taxi, we would be able to buy some land in the village but we haven’t been able to. You need money to make a driving license. You need driving training as well. It costs ten thousand Taka to have a driving license issued. We can’t manage that amount. So I’ve started to work as a housemaid. Nantu, the Rickshaw Puller: I’ve heard about the rehabilitation program for rickshaw pullers so they can find alternative jobs but I don’t know of anyone who’s attended it. I haven’t benefited from it. May be the rickshaw owners, the more educated owners will benefit from the program since they have access to information. But the regular rickshaw pullers haven’t got any support. Physically, it’s hard pulling a rickshaw. At the end of the day, I don’t feel like talking to anyone. At home I just lie down. I do not want to walk at all. Pulling two passengers is not an easy job. The body is not an engine. It requires power to pull a rickshaw. You need energy in the legs and hips to pull two passengers. Otherwise the rickshaw will not move. If I owned a rickshaw, the money which I pay the owners now as rent, would be my own. I could save that. Moreover, I could be more relaxed while pulling the rickshaw. I could take ten minute rests between the trips. I could save fifty Taka, spend thirty Taka on some other things, and use twenty Taka for rickshaw repairs or for treatment. I could take the children to the doctor when they fall sick. I can’t afford to do any of these things at the moment. Fatima, the Rickshaw Puller’s Wife: We work hard and send our children to school so they will get an education. I do not want my son to become a rickshaw puller like his father. Our children should have office jobs. This would be possible with an education. They shouldn’t be like us. Nantu, the Rickshaw Puller: I plan to give up rickshaw pulling as soon as possible. If I can get other work or a driving license for a taxi, it would be very good for our family. We need to send the children to school so they don’t become rickshaw pullers like me. I do not want my son to be sick and weak at a young age like me. I want them to enjoy healthy lives and to hold prestigious jobs – any other work but pulling a rickshaw. In: Bridge End.mp3 Editor of The New Nation, a Dhaka-based English Daily, Mostafa Kamal Majumder is a leading environmental writer in Bangladesh. In the Panos publication “Environment for All”, he writes how environmental degradation in rural Bangladesh forces thousands of villagers to migrate to cities and take up jobs like rickshaw driving. In a telephone interview, he spoke to Panoscope. In: Bridge Begin.mp3 In: Bangladesh The Rickshaw Puller Interview.mp3 RL: How many rickshaw pullers or rickshaws are there in Dhaka? MKM: Actually no one can tell for sure exactly the numbers. According to Dhaka City Corporation, there might be some eighty thousand rickshaws with licenses, which means these are legal rickshaws, and recent estimates made by N-G-Os and other people indicate that the number of rickshaws should be more than seven hundred thousand. On an average, two rickshaw pullers work one rickshaw everyday… You can say fourteen hundred thousand rickshaw pullers are plying seven hundred thousand or maybe even many thousand more. RL: Most of these rickshaw pullers are migrants… What are the reasons that they come to Dhaka? MKM: Degradation of the environment at their homes, I mean their village homes, and deterioration of their economic conditions for environmental and social reasons. These are the two factors. You see, in the outlying districts in the villages, the resources are not managed on a participatory basis and the people like fishermen and others who depend on the common property did not have a say in their conservation or sustainable management and then there are natural disasters. This is a natural disaster prone country. There are floods, droughts, and then you have cyclones. River bank erosion is a big problem in Bangladesh. About a million people are displaced every year. RL: There are also seasonal migrants, you know, I mean, the labour that they sell it advance to pay their labour and pay off for their families and many families just survive on one meal a day... MKM: Yeah, you are right. You see, they are basically agricultural communities and agriculture is seasonal. And there are some pockets where during lean season people don’t have work so they also don’t have income. That’s why there is hunger when the season is lean so they have to migrate. But those that are hard pressed don’t go back because they cannot sustain themselves in the villages. RL: So how is Dhaka or Bangladesh dealing with this urban poverty or this increase or the swell of numbers coming to the big cities? MKM: You see, there hasn’t been much of a, I should say, planned management of migrants. They come and take advantage of the opportunity of enhanced earning in the urban areas and earn their living. There have been some activities in the last one decade and a half to extend some basic services but those were not very well organized. For instance some micro credit programs were started in the late nineties. Simultaneously, the government acted by evicting slums. So these programs have not worked well. In a disjointed way some benefits were given but not in a systematic way. RL: Put a ban on non-motorized transport like rickshaws operating in the busy areas in Dhaka. Has it helped improve traffic problems? MKM: No. That has not helped much. Two steps were taken because of campaigns to improve the air pollution. The cars having registration of more than 20 years old were banned and two stroke three wheelers were driven out of the city. And then CNG automobiles were introduced. This helped improve the environmental condition, as far as the quality of air is concerned. RL: So are there any plans or programs to check this environment degradation? MKM: There have been some programs. For instance, you might have heard of a social forestry program that involves poor people in aforestation activities and they get a share of the wood and also fruits if there are fruit bearing trees. There are some attempts but not enough. In: Bridge End.mp3 That’s it for this edition of Panoscope. Thanks for listening. Fade In: Signature Tune End.mp3 Panoscope is an independent production of Panos Radio South Asia. We’re committed to providing a forum for voices, views and issues not often heard in the mainstream media. If you have suggestions for future programs please contact us at: Panos Radio South Asia G.P O. Box 13651 Kathmandu, Nepal Or you can call us at 977-1- 5521889 Our website is www.panosradiosouthasia.org Until next time…

valerieataylor.com - official website of Valerie Ann Taylor

2007-07-29T22:43:14Z

CRP founder, Valerie Taylor is decorated with numerous awards; amongst many is O.B.E. (Order of the British Empire).In 1998 she was awarded Bangladeshi citizenship by the Bangladesh Government and also the “Shadhinota Dibosh Podok” the highest civilian award of the country. But her real triumphs are the many lives she touched and improved in her long service to the very poor and ill fated paralyzed people who came in touch with her and gained optimism. Valerie has also adopted two severely physically challenged girls who live with her in her house, on the boundaries of CRP premises in Savar. Joyti is now 25 years old and works part-time as a computer operator at CRP, while Poppy is 17 and attends the local Radio Colony School. Despite officially taking a backseat role at CRP some years ago, Valerie remains the driving force behind the running and over seeing the development of CRP; in a word CRP is synonymous to Valerie Taylor. Her life went in building this organization and in her psyche she round the clock dwells for the development of the organization and the welfare of the underprivileged paralyzed. ]]> CRP founder, Valerie Ann Taylor, daughter of a reverend was born in 1944. Is from Buckinghamshire, England, first came to Bangladesh then known as East Pakistan, with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) in 1969 to work as a physiotherapist in Chandragona Hospital, near Chittagong. Her stay was very briefly interrupted by the 1971 War of Independence, after which Bangladesh became an independent state. This war was particularly vicious and cost the lives of approximately 3 million Bangladeshis. During the war Valerie was evacuated, but returned to Bangladesh in September 1971, two months before the war ended. She was very aware of the need for rehabilitation services for the disabled. This problem had become even more acute in the aftermath of the War of Independence. By the very nature of the injuries of spinal cord, it is poor who mostly fall victim of it. There fore Valerie needed funds to make go to the services she wanted to provide. In 1973 she returned to England in attempt to raise funds to establish a rehabilitation centre for disabled. She stayed in England for two years before returning in 1975. It took another four years before CRP was able to admit it's first patients in 1979. During this time, Valerie worked in the Shaheed Surawady Hospital in Dhaka and it was in the grounds of this hospital that CRP had it's first premises, two cement storerooms which were used to treat patients. Through all the various moves from one premise to another, Valerie has continued to work tirelessly for the benefit of CRP. Even today the light in her office can be seen burning till late in the evening. Valerie has also adopted two severely physically challenged girls who live with her in her house, on the boundaries of CRP premises in Savar. Joyti is now 25 years old and works part-time as a computer operator at CRP, while Poppy is 17 and attends the local Radio Colony School. Despite officially taking a backseat role at CRP some years ago, Valerie remains the driving force behind the running and over seeing the development of CRP; in a word CRP is synonymous to Valerie Taylor. Her life went in building this organization and in her psyche she round the clock dwells for the development of the organization and the welfare of the underprivileged paralyzed. Valerie Taylor is decorated with numerous awards; amongst many is O.B.E. (Order of the British Empire).In 1998 she was awarded Bangladeshi citizenship by the Bangladesh Government and also the “Shadhinota Dibosh Podok” the highest civilian award of the country. But her real triumphs are the many lives she touched and improved in her long service to the very poor and ill fated paralyzed people who came in touch with her and gained optimism.

abukumagawa

2007-07-13T20:40:14Z

The video portrays natural swan farm of Abukumagawa River, Fukushima, Japan. By the patronization of government the farm becomes now a tourist spot. Everyday huge number of visitors visit the spot , the swan and ducks plays is the visitors. The visitors also give. The scenes become a heavenly by the harmonization of birds and human hearts.

A Golden Age - tahmima.com

2007-06-08T21:51:35Z

Tahmima Anam is a young promising writer. Her first book, “A Golden Age ” has been published on a real fact of Bangladeshi liberation war. The book launching ceremony in Dhaka was held at Shilpokola Academy, 8 June, 2007. The website www.tahmima.com portrays her life and work, designed by Machizo.

Japanese wedding

2007-05-26T19:44:42Z

Japanese wedding is very expensive, elegant and serene event. The spring and autumn are the weddings seasons in Japan. Ancient time the traditional marriage was held at Shinto shrine. But now it is organised at hotel, restaurants and wedding places.The members and relatives of both bide and bridegroom's family attend in the ceremony. ]]> Traditionally, a bride in Japan wears a white silk kimono in which price is nearabout twenty five thousand dollars to purchase. A groom wears a haori on the top and a hakama on the bottom, all in black. The bride will usually change into different kimonos up to five times during the wedding day. Some Japanese brides wear wigs as part of the tradition of the kimono wedding dress. The wig is heavily decorated in artificial flowers, gold combs and pearls. The wedding party will also dress in kimono’s, usually in a color chosen by the bride. Mi-ai, Yui-no, Nakodo, Wedding Ceremony and Wedding Receptions are the main components of Japanese wedding.

Saint Lalon/ Lalon Fakir

2007-05-25T06:51:04Z

--------------------------------------------------------------------- The orginal format of documentary is DVD, view: panoromic, duration- 14 minutes Price: 10 USD ( Tk. 500 ). Contact: siraj@machizo.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- Lalon was mystical poet and saint. He was devoted to love, freedom and peace that express in his songs. He taught the way of eternal liberation. He strongly emphasized to resolve the internal conflict and dominancy of false desires. He was the greatest mystic-singer of the subcontinent. Lalon believed, the ‘body’ is the universe and the universe is the body. He was revolutionary, challenged to contemporary life style, religions and practices with simple word of songs. ]]> --------------------------------------------- During birth what was your cust? What race you took after come? During death what will be? --------------------------------------------- Lalon was mystical poet and saint. He was devoted to love, freedom and peace that express in his songs. He taught the way of eternal liberation. He strongly emphasized to resolve the internal conflict and dominancy of false desires. Razaul Haque, khadam of Lalon Shrine says, ‘‘People aware about his word and philosophy. Now no need to explain. Literate people address him as baul king. To followers he is a per-murshid (saint). Someone jealous to his scriptures, most are come here with devotion….’ Around the age of sixteen Lalon was found as floating by the bank of Kaliganga River, during his suffering from smallpox. He was taken to the home of Malam Shah and his wife Matijan, and took care as their own son. Matijan was the first devotee of Lalon. Assistant Khadam of Shirne, Karamot Ali says ‘miracally Lalon came in the bank of Kaligonga River. He was sicked by pox and bedded at vala (banana boat). After morning pray when Mowlana Malam sha was walking in the river bank. He find him and checked his life by the thread of handkerchief on nose. By confirming his alive, he brought house and take care he and his wife, Motizan like real parents. Within two months vanished evidences of sickness. Malam sha regularly read the holy Quaran. During namaj when he mistook, Lalon sha made sound. As asking the meaning of sound, one night Lalon said to bring the Quaran, and shown the correct way of reading with excellent explanation. Malam sha was astonished to see formally illiterate Lalon’s wisdom. He was moved and became irregular to mosque. Most of time spent with Lalon. Malam sha did not have any child. One day neighbor said, Malam sha now spent time only with others son. After hearing this rumor Lalan said, ‘I will not live hear anymore’. Mother Motizan encountered Lalon by the love affection, ‘we don’t have child. You came as son, but now going!... ’. After that Lalon changed his decision with the condition to live separated house. Malam made a round shaped new house with straw where Lalon lived and did meditation. Once Lalon tripped to west of the district and returned back with Beshaka Fakir. In the gathering, followers asked – who is she? Lalon said, consider she is your ‘Guru Ma’. After that Beshaka Fakir lived here for forever. Brother, parents, relative, nobody came to looked her. In the mean time, Lalon sha’s father Malam sha died. Lalon san said, when I will die, please take me to beside my mother (Motizan). They are now together. This land where we are now, was belong to Malam sha. Before died he registered this16 units land to Lalon sha. Before, during festival huge people could not be managed. Government has extended the space in the bank of river. Now here annually two ceremonies have been held. Once at dul purnima (full moon night). Another is at fixed pohala Kartik but fixed. In the light of full moon dul purnima’s event is marvelous. How marvelous dul purnima’s event in the light of full moon! Lalon geti , is not normal song. The songs are scriptures for human salvation.’ Lalon did not have formal education. He led simple but spiritual life. People don’t know his real birth date , place, religion, even parents name. The research finding Lalon Fakir was born in 1774. Lalon died at the age of 116 years. Hindu and Muslim both communities wanted to communalise him. Hindus said he was a Kayastha and adopted by a Muslim Moulobi. But Muslims said he was a Muslim by birth. Philosophically Lalon was none, as he always strove to go beyond all politics of identities. Lalon composed about two thousands songs which still provide spiritual inspiration and awareness. By songs he guided peoples to be “maner manush” ( perfect man ), “shohoj manush” ( simple man ). He was the against to all forms of oppression, hierarchy, racism and caste system. He celebrates the freedom of mind and body. Lalon represents the “Baul”. The “Baul” is a revolutionary and secular community. They are formerly illiterate and wandering singers but have impressive wisdom. Baul deny all worldly affairs in desperate search for a mystical ecstasy of the soul with song by using Ektara (a one string musical instrument) and a dugdugi (a hand drum). Fakir Babu sha, a devoted Baul singer says, ‘since last 30 years I am singing. I love Lalon’s songs very much. I found God’s word and human spirit in song-scripts . I have invested my life to this way. Young baul Nazrul sha say, ‘since last 15 years I am singing. I am impressed by the songs. Not for musical rethym, I love Shigee and his for his spiritual deepness and expression of goodness.’ Rezaul Haque say, ‘He did not write song. He did not believe to writings . When spirit came, he called followers and said to memorise the song-script. But some followers hiddenly wrote. Still now arround the country, there is many song only to people memory, the collection is going on. There is 13 pionner followers had been blessed by Lalon sha. His first follower shitol sha. He came to a moulana ( muslim prist ). But he came upstream! His works were aginst of current. He religion was, ‘ ujano dormo’ ( challence to contemporarty ). He did not say about his religion. He believed to human religion. This is truth. Only it will sustain.’ The great Lalon was not famous in life time. But his baul philosophy was introduced by Rabindranath and contemporary scholars. He was the greatest mystic-singer of the subcontinent. Lalon believed, the ‘body’ is the universe and the universe is the body. He was revolutionary, challenged to contemporary life style, religions and practices with simple word of songs. In Kushtia at the Lalon shrine every year held “Lalon Festival” the biggest gathering of Bauls and Bauls’ performance. Nowadays in Bangladesh modern signers also following the folk approach and word of Lalon songs. All Bangladeshi appreciate very much Lalon song, particularly for its deep spiritual meanings and inspiration. Shahjahan Siraj 19 May, 2007

Multimedia on Climate Change in Bangladesh

2007-05-25T06:29:40Z

In the eve of International Day for Biological Diversity, 2007 Climate Change Cell Bangladesh has published a Multimedia Production on Climate Change in Bangladesh.

Shankhari Bazar

2007-05-09T20:06:36Z

The documentary, “Shankahri Bazar” portrays the reality of shankhari art & artist, old Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is a team work of Humayun Kabir, Washiqur Rahman, Shamsul Arifin, Raihath Sohel and directed by Shahjahan Siraj@Machizo. It is a project of MSJ-303, Ulab, Spring 2007. DVD is the shooting and output format of the documentary. ------------------------------------------------ Shankhari Bazaar, the name itself is inheriting glory of shankha art. Once the Shankhari Bazar was famous as the place of art. The traditional Shankha industry is now struggling for survival. Fighting with Indian products, excessive prices of raw materials; however low-income and less market demands are the main cause of the struggle. Before also these works was done by hand with touch of total heart. Nowadays machine are widely using in Shankha industry. Although much works is done with in short time but creativity become limited within monotonous format. Cutting, cleaning, carving, sketching, designing and polishing are the six steps for making an artistic shankha. After cutting and cleaning, pairing and rounding has been done by machine.

Rickhaw and Rickshawallah

2007-05-09T19:34:08Z

A small documentary on Rickshaw and Rickshawpuller of Dhaka city, Bangladesh. The documentary having the follwing story: Dhaka is the city of rickshaw. With aesthetic glimmer firth rickshaw in Chittagong in 1919. In Dhaka rickshaw first appear in 1938. One landlord of old Dhaka first brought this vehicle in the capital. Once rickshaw was consider as gorgeous van. According to city corporation, there are seventy six thousand in Dhaka. With vision of a good life, the illiterate villagers migrant to Dhaka after fighting with poverty. But don't get job. At last take rickshaw pulling like hard job. After whole day hard job they return with weak body and mind. With limited income they can not maintain family properly. So wife also join in income generation, do job as housemaid or garments worker. Because of poverty can not send children to school. One son also become rickshaw puller like father. Such a way going on their life circle.

Koinobori/ fish shaped flags

2007-05-01T21:22:00Z

Koinobori are fish shaped flags traditionally flown in Japan to celebrate Children's Day. ( 5th May ). Traditionally, the flags are used to incourages children as the carp can swim upstream. The flags are made by coloful decorated paper, cloth, nonwoven fabric etc .The sizes of 'koi flags' genearlly one feet to a few meters long. However it is flown generally infront of house, school where the children gather.