‘Tis the season to be jolly..

No snow, no carol on the streets, no travelling thousands of miles to be with near and dear ones, but Christmas comes to Dhaka too, just as it does to every corner of the world. Though modest, Dhaka celebrates the season of joy with utmost sensitivity and heartfelt excitement. Major hotels get a Christmas makeover -- complete with spectacularly decorated Christmas tree, gingerbread cakes, candies and yes, most importantly Santa. Here's wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and happy holidays.

Pitha mela in Jhenidah

A pitha mela (rice cake fair) featuring a cultural programme was held in Jhenidah last Sunday. Organised by 'Hunger Free world,' the mela was held at Kaliganj upazila in Jhenidah.

Kaliganj upazila Nirbahi officer (UNO), Kamrul Huda inaugurated the mela on Sunday afternoon.

Housewives of adjacent villages gathered at the mela with different kinds of rice cakes including 'Pakan pitha,' 'Pati Shapta,' 'Dudh pitha,' 'Dhupi pitha,' 'Labango Latika,' 'Nakshi pitha,' 'Katakuli' and more hand-crafted with utmost care and love. Prices of pitha ranged from Tk 3 to 20.

A cultural programme held on the occasion included music, dance and poetry recitation.

'Hunger Free World' authorities also awarded scholarships among local students.

Flora Khatun, a local housewife, said that as people and families get bogged down with work, the art of pitha-making is likely to meet its demise. Certain kinds of pitha, which take painstaking efforts and time, are already disappearing from homes and festivities. Events like this pitha mela will help revive the culinary art form.

CAT, Bangladesh stages Lady from the Sea

Dark, bleak and brooding -- this best describes the landscape of parts of Norway. And Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen has aptly captured the ambiance of his country in his famous plays. Recently an Ibsen festival was held in Delhi with plays such as "Lady from the Sea," "White Horses," "Little Eyolf" and "Ibsen Women".

The festival got off to a start with "Lady from the Sea," staged by the Centre for Asian Theatre (CAT), Bangladesh and directed by Norwegian Un-Magritt Nordseth. For the Delhi Bengalis the evening was a visual delight as the dialogues and actors were Bengali (while English subtitles were displayed on a screen). The play depicts the troubled marriage of Ellida and the much older Dr. Wangel, who already has two daughters not much younger than Ellida. Ellida is at a crossroads -- torn by her duty to her husband and her longing for a sailor, known only as 'the Stranger' in the play, to whom she was once engaged. She is also stifled in the small town at the fjord and yearns for the wide-open sea with all its untamed mystery. One day the Stranger returns into her life and Ellida is forced to make a choice between him (who she says both “terrifies and attracts” her) and Wangel, who gives her the freedom to make her choice. Eventually rationality triumphs and she opts for life with her husband.

Describing the theme, Margritt says, “Her husband, who has given her the liberty to choose, is ultimately the hero of the play. Normally in Ibsen's plays the endings are very tragic with characters committing suicide or leaving. 'The Lady from the Sea' has a happy ending and critics wonder how Ibsen made a departure from his usual finale.”

Among the prominent theatre personalities at the plays was Kamaluddin Nilu, founder of CAT, which he recently left. Now he is a member of the faculty at the Centre for Ibsen Studies, Oslo University, Norway. In his words “Many of Ibsen's plays are about individual freedom and the freedom of expression, and therefore are still relevant.”

Another attraction was "Ibsen Women," directed and performed solo by Juni Dahr of Norway. Her repertoire of strong and complex women in Ibsen's plays ranged from Nora to Hedda, Mrs. Alving to Ellida, Hilde and Hjordis. Quoting a woman character in one of Ibsen's works, “Put an eagle in a cage and it will bite the bars whether they are of iron and gold,” Juni gave an outstanding performance in the role of the six women in painful quest of freedom.

Ultimately the 19th century women in Ibsen's works have rebelled against the traditional patriarchal order.

The play has attracted audiences all over the world. In Asia it has been performed in Dhaka, New Delhi, Lahore, Beijing, Singapore and Hong Kong.

The credit for the superb festival must go the Royal Norwegian Embassy and The Dramatic Art & Design Academy. Another such festival is on the cards in 2009 -- eagerly awaited by Ibsen aficionados.

BTV reaches 44

How BTV has changed! When it was launched sometime around middle of 1964 (under the name of Pakistan Television Corporation), people would excitedly flock in front of the TV sets, waiting expectantly, and all this time, watching a blank screen with the words PTC on the screen. The title music “Apache” by the Beatles was a household tune.

From December 25, 1964, the national TV started to telecast different programmes for the first time. The TV centre was then situated at the DIT building at Motijheel in Dhaka. With a one-room studio and limited technical hands, the station presented countless programmes, mainly on local culture.

Ten years later, on January 9, 1975, the station was finally shifted to Rampura to modernise the facilities and broadcast technically developed programmes. By 1980, the black and white programmes were replaced by colour.

Surprisingly the big name producers-- the heart and soul of the variety of programmes--were not always career artistes.

There was of course, the ever-innovative Mustafa Monwar famous for his artistic touch with the puppets and directing plays from Shakespeare to Tagore. Mustafa Kamal Syed, Abdullah Al Mamun, Atiqul Huque Chowdhury, Nawazish Ali Khan and Mustafizur Rahman were the driving force behind the magazine programmes and the TV plays. Sakina Sarwar, Musa Ahmed, Kazi Abu Zafar, Qamrunnessa Hasan and others supervised the musicals.

But there were also famous personalities such as the former Chief Justice Mustafa Kamal and Professor Abdul Matin conducting the quiz programme “Bolun Dekhi”, Professor Badruddoza Chowdhury hosting “Apnaar Daktar”, Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed anchoring “Shoptoborna” and the popular musical “Bornali” and Fazley Lohani in “Jodi Kichu Money Na Koren” to name a few.

From April 2004, BTV branched off into an 24/7 international dimension by launching the satellite channel BTV World.

Now that we are open to the world, perhaps it's a good time to evaluate the standards we are telecasting to our international audience.

It's no secret that the BTV audience has progressively been moving away. And it is not because of the lure of satellite TV. The top private channels enjoy massive popularity, not only for the entertainment shows, but also for documentaries and news programmes. BTV is in the unenviable position of playing catch-up with programme formats, content and style. A closer look would probably reveal that the pioneers behind BTV are probably still at work at the private channels.

So where's the bottleneck? Critics complain that there is a dearth of quality performers and musicians. Many eminent musicians who were the heart and soul of the immortal songs of the yesteryears are no more. Accompanists are mostly untrained and have very little incentive to develop their skills further. Pay cheques don't compare well with private channels or giving private lessons. Technical development has come to a standstill. Many of the musical programmes are supposedly taped in private studios or for those who can afford it, in overseas studios. Some point out that the whole set up for programmes has become like another puppet show, artistes arriving on stage only for lip-synch while the troupe of accompanists listlessly strum their instruments for show. Even the stage decorations are re-used innumerably. So it's down to the make-up crew and the cameraman to make a good show of it all.

Even with the declining audience, BTV has the largest volume of viewers simply because of its network - viewers not less than 10 crores in the country alone, with registered artistes of more than 10,000. Surely advertisement revenues alone could be a major source of funding for the renovations? And with all the infrastructure, the directors of yesteryears could develop a meaningful training institute for the new generation. The directors who are still able to contribute should be brought in contractual service and made to train the newcomers.

Another radical approach could be that BTV cuts its investment in any new developments, and becomes a net purchaser of privately packaged programmes only. With its nationwide and now international audience, that would certainly get the sponsor's attention to fund these programmes. BTV can then be more of a telecaster, and outsource all original content production.

The 44th anniversary of BTV, seems to be a jarring reminder that the role of BTV needs to be re-evaluated. From its inception, BTV has been the birthplace of talent from all fields of entertainment from the charismatic newscasters to actors, dramatists, singers, dancers, sports personality to the charming announcers. Innovation, skill and sincerity were the buzzwords. At the threshold of mid-life crisis, now seems a good time as any to see how that era can be revived.

Music News: Momtaz with Jhakkas

Popular folk singer Momtaz's Eid album 'Jhakkas' got popularity in the audio market. Promising lyricist Anurup Aich has written lyrics of the songs of the album. The album has been released under the banner of music production house Sangeeta. Pankaj composed tunes and music of the album. There are 10 songs in the album. Music tracks are - 'Cycle,' 'Kuhu Kuhu,' 'News,' 'Pranbondhu,' 'Shyana,' 'Hero Noi Zero,' 'Manush,' 'Omona' and others. Anurup Aich hoped that this album will touch hearts of music lovers

TV Show: Sohel, Ria at tonight’s Priyojon on ATN Bangla

With the participation of celebrity artistes popular talk show 'Priyojon' to be aired on ATN Bangla at 6:20pm today. Fakhrul Abedin has directed the fortnightly programme, while Karavi Mizan has moderated the show.

Popular dance artistes Sohel and Ria will be present as guests at the tonight's episode. They will share their experiences in dance arena and also take part in conversation. It will be 42nd episode of the programme.

TV Serial: Samudrajol on Banglavision

Drama serial 'Samudrajol' to be aired on Banglavision at 8:25pm today. Mohan Khan and Sohel Arman have jointly scripted and directed the drama serial. Gazi Rakayet, Lutfar Rahman George, Shahed Sharif Khan, Shahriar Nazim Joy, Sohel Arman, Litu Anam, Arman Parvez Murad, Bonya Mirza, Chandni, Tanima Hamid, Sharmin Shila, Ria, Nisho, Sajal, Rashed Khan, Rahi, Tania, among others, performed in the serial.

Story of Samudrajol:

Rusho and Odhora married silently. They went to Cox's Bazar for honeymoon. After passing some days, their collection of money was end. Then he took permission from his wife and return to Dhaka. As a result, Rusho's wife became lonely. In one hand, while returning Dhaka Rusho faced an accident. Then he lost his memories. On the other hand, Odhora was waiting for Rusho in Cox's Bazar. The story continued with various incidents.

24 Frame on DTV

Entertainment Report

Film related programme '24 Frame' to be aired on Digonta Television (DTV) at 8:00pm on Thursday. Delwar Hossain has produced the programme, while Motin Sarkar has moderated the show.

Tina Fey voted AP Entertainer of the Year

Fey was voted The Associated Press' Entertainer of the Year, an annual honour chosen by newspaper editors and broadcast producers across the country. Fey was selected by AP members as the performer who had the greatest impact on culture and entertainment in 2008. The 38-year-old comedian bested runner-up Robert Downey Jr, whose comeback was capped with the blockbuster smash 'Iron Man,' and the third-place vote-getter, Heath Ledger, who posthumously wowed audiences as the Joker in 'The Dark Knight.'

But it was Fey who most impressed voters largely with her indelible impression of Government Sarah Palin on 'Saturday Night Live.' Her cameos on her old show (where she had been a head writer until 2006) helped drive the show to record ratings and eventually drew an appearance from Palin herself. "Tina Fey is such an obvious choice," said Sharon Eberson, entertainment editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "She gave us funny when we really needed it and, in a year when women in politics were making huge strides, Fey stood out in the world of entertainment."

New heights for Nepal film festival

A tree is toppled. A missile is fired. A mountaineer makes a dangerous ascent. A Buddhist nun waves her scarf exuberantly in the wind; mountain animals stare at the camera; there are images of violence, weeping and laughter.

The signature "jingle" to the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF) shows that it is not only about the genre of "mountain film."

In this, the only mountain film festival east of Suez and the only one in a developing country, mountains are central to some of the 66 movies and loosely connected with others. Nearly all, however, are linked to mountain countries and 18 nations are represented.

The festival, now eight years old, has just been playing to big audiences in the Nepalese capital.

"What we really want to do is also inform, educate, make the Nepali public aware about issues around the world and in Nepal and how it affects them here," festival director Ramyata Limbu told the BBC.

"It could be about global warming, about tourism, economic resources, how people in mountains use them."

Nepal itself provided 18 of the films, including the one selected for the festival opening -- a new short feature called "Threshold."

It describes the encounter between two women from opposite ends of Nepal's complex society: Saraswati, from the socially ultra-conservative lowlands and Trishna, from Kathmandu and educated. They meet for a day as Trishna, a census worker, visits Saraswati's home.

The filmmaker, Deepak Rauniyar, says Saraswati is like a typical woman in traditional lowland society.

"Inside the threshold, inside the house, there is no meaning for her. She won't count herself as a member of the family. She says: 'I'm not a family member, I can't talk'."

There is a real buzz about the annual festival, whose audience is mainly young and Nepali. The crowds are biggest for the local films but many international ones are also showcased.

"The Day After Peace," is the remarkable story of how an annual international peace day, September 21, gained UN recognition thanks to a British filmmaker and campaigner, Jeremy Gilley.

The film is one of several in a special section on human rights, two of which deal with Nepal's civil war, which ended only two years ago, and the suffering it continues to inflict.

Suma Josson's "I Want My Father Back," looks at suicides among cotton farmers in central India faced with falling prices for their crop and rising input costs as biotechnology companies enter the sector.

"It's really moving and amazing stuff," says Nepalese filmmaker and critic Diwas KC of this movie.

"What the film has really succeeded in showing is the kind of knowledge that the farmers have… more so than the companies that dominate their profession."

Mountains themselves provide a spectacular backdrop for many of the films from places including Montenegro, Croatia, Germany, Lapland, Switzerland and Canada.

Ramyata Limbu says films from other mountain communities can be revealing for the Nepalese audience -- covering themes such as changing lifestyles or the demise of shepherding.

There are also two notable Himalayan films from the Nepali director Tsering Rhitar Sherpa. In "Karma," the nuns of a remote nunnery face a dilemma when the venerable abbess dies.

Special prayers and expensive ceremonies are needed to ensure her proper reincarnation. So they want to get back a large sum the nunnery has lent to a mysterious businessman, Tashi.

For a poor country, Nepal has a lot of filmmaking going on, much of which inspires Diwas KC.

He highlights "Changa," by Pooja Gurung, which is about a young child who wants to fly a kite; and "Sindhu Pokhrel's Palash," in which an actor severely disabled with cerebral palsy plays a man watching young women from his city-centre window.

"This exploration of the sexuality of the disabled person is just amazingly done and is something that you don't usually see being undertaken," explains Diwas.

He feels that Nepal's big political change two years ago, when massive street demonstrations heralded the demise of the monarchy, created ferment in filmmaking.

"People went out and recorded stuff. And since then people have been coming out with independent work in a fashion that has never happened before," he says.

KIMFF has now become a competitive festival, and 20 of the films were judged by a three-member jury from Nepal, Australia and India.

The first three prizes went to "I Want My Father Back," "The Day After Peace" and "Threshold."

The festival, it seems, is going from strength to strength.