My Publications

Lights, camera, action! The 4th International Children's Film Festival in Bangladesh, January 22-28, 2011 by Faizul Khan Tanim A child’s heart and mind first sparks with imagination when listening to bedtime stories and lullabies. Children’s novels introduce a child to people, places, and thoughts and inspire dreams as well. Most importantly, books cultivate this affection and then audio-visual media create a wonderful bond between children and their dreams. Video illustrations not only enhance their thinking and strengthen their use of creative mediums but also explain certain situations and feelings from everyday life. Children's films and animations act as a mirror and a window to the world around them, showing them how people from diverse groups and cultures live and work together, and solve problems and overcome barriers. To open a new world of cinema and entertainment for children in Bangladesh and to expose them to different cultures and traditions using film, the Childr...

Roud Bolechchey Hobey by Faizul Khan Tanim Roud Bolechchey Hobey promised to take me on a musical journey but it just left my feelings maimed by the roadside. Welcome to one of the most morbid albums of the year as Arnob's songs here are few shades darker and slower than the previous compilations. The overall sound could have been better as well. It’s obvious the singer’s going in a much more downbeat direction with the melancholy compositions and a sombre voice. But interestingly, there are very few artistes who can be in personal relationships with his/her fans to make an impact - sometimes, an artist does need to talk things out with life over slow, joyless melodies and has a different story to tell. To me, Arnob does this with flair with his overall lyrics, which are quite confessional and a little sad. And sometimes, the mystifying depth of a song can be the best part of an album. For example, track six Biri has a very psychedelic and atmospheric feel with the use of slid...

The Rock Revolution Part-1 It took more than two decades for genres like heavy metal to be born after rock first arrived in our country. Faizul Khan Tanim traces the early steps of this revolution as he revisits the magnum opus mixtape "Hooray" It’s the year 1991. Bangladesh is being rocked by the downfall of the Ershad regime. However, the audio shops are being rocked by something completely different: a heavy metal mixtape called ‘Hooray’, released by the record label Sargam. Covered by abstract art in black over orange, the cassette had a quite incongruous look - but once in the cassette deck it made its existence known. Screaming guitars and vocals filled with emotions that could drill their way straight into the marrow of your bones. Pop lovers covered their ears, dubbing it ‘noise’. Heavy metal aficionados like me, however - who were already listening to the likes of Iron Maiden and AC/DC - we were overwhelmed. This was our music, being played by our own! Son...

Father, son and the Wonder Rock music is all about missions and visions. The Concert for Sundarbans was a beautiful testament that rock music can also be about family relations by Faizul Khan Tanim It is often said that “hope rocks”. And as the rockers on stage hollered “Save the Sundarbans” and the 15,000-strong audience replied “amen” in unison, the huge October 1-event at the Army Stadium to create awareness about the Sundarbans and promote it as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, proved this to be right. This BAMBA (Bangladesh Musical Bands Association) concert at one of the country’s most esteemed music venues, the Army stadium, was otherwise most noted for its display of two generations of Bangladeshi rock. Sharing the stage with their fathers Manam Ahmed (Miles) and Maqsoodul Huq (Maqsood O’Dhaka), were Zeheen (Mechanix), Zerif (Power Surge) and Dio (Nemesis). Together they reached new, rocking heights. The only complaint was the omission of a good sound system throughout...

If you had your pick of exciting pop songs to raise the temperature blending passionate words, sensual voices, explosive lyrics and videos to make your hair stand on end, which ones would you choose? Faizul Khan Tanim 's choices These are the songs inviting you to the dance floor, lyrics enticing you to push the envelope, the beats get you ready to make some moves and the visuals get you in to the groove. Dolly Shayontonni – Rongchota Jeans Now this is an absolute classic late 80’s music video. A soundtrack by genre, it sports our hero-in-action wearing a loud red shirt, faded jeans, stylish shades, puffing some smoke and playing a macho hard-to-get fella. And then…appears our miss rebellion lip-synching Rongchota jeans er pant pora...jolonto cigarette thot-e dhora - the moment these urgent lines were aired on radio, they spread to stereos and blasted out of speakers across the country and all hell broke loose on the streets. Kaniz Shuborna – Tumi Nishho Korey Dao & Moner Chh...

Music from the sun Almost two years after Doob , Arnob is about to release his fourth studio album Roud Bolechhey Hobey under his own record label, writes Faizul Khan Tanim This Eid-Ul-Azha, Arnob’s music full of psychedelic sunlight and the spirit of survival will shine on us through these words from the title track - Ageyi tokey janiye ditam roud bolechhe hobey. Jene newar eii batasher jonmo kothay kobey – a very optimistic lyric written by Rajib Ashraf. In his studio, patterns of smoke float in spirals while spotlight rays penetrate the fumes, creating a mystical aura. The full-on sound from the monitor speakers harmonises the atmosphere in there. Blowing smoke circles, Arnob speaks in measured tones “This album is based more on acoustic instruments with less fancy digital effects, primarily because I want to be comfortable while playing them live. I used very little keyboards in the arrangements as well, keeping the song structures simple and organic." The newly f...

Shut Up and Dance Srabonti Narmeen Ali, also known as Tushi, will be releasing her debut solo album Dhadha, produced by music genius Arnob. It’s a record that will definitely travel wide and far – from dance floors to computers and mp4-devices, writes Faizul Khan Tanim and Naheed Kamal , meeting the two in Arnob’s studio Shut up and dance is the pop-puffed, rap-grooved song that will leave your feet tapping and fingers snapping. At the same time, it raises questions of facing up to and fighting realities – maybe with some fatalities on the dance floor! Not only relieving stress and lifting you out of your melancholy, it is a song that addresses many social anomalies and it will definitely influence you to listen to the entire album. It’s an inspiration to think and feel, infused with the peculiar combination of both happiness and contemplative ideas. “The best part about working with Arnob is that he takes a lot of my inputs. I have creative freedom and we shared our ideas while we wor...

Chorom Onuraag-e (Love Extreme) – sing, sing, sing this song to me! This is an animated story composed of organic melody...vocal harmony screaming phenomenon, revolution, places heavier than heaven, solace and the power of passion. And the entity between something which is rightfully yours and sinfully mine is weaved in a story called Chorom Onuraag-e and the band who piously sang it is Breach, the rock band from Bangladesh. This is a rock song which one man wants to achieve and the other obscured to explore. As this story...this rock song...got narrated to three mortals, they told this tale to a blind man seeking a rush to sway his head and experience hard rock love in a different way. So the first mortal said: This is a rock song of cosmic energy ready to explode in a cup of tea. This song is also a line by Cagil M. Kasapoglu – listening to rock is like being dragged by high tide waves taking ups and downs and suddenly finding your face hit on a hard sandy ground. It's a feelin...

MIRACLE - A whole building got burnt in the Nimtoli inferno...all but one HOLY QURAN SHARIF AND JAY NAMAZ (prayer mat) on top of the almira were ABSOLUTELY and MIRACULOUSLY UNTOUCHED...oshadharon oloukik ghotona ALHAMDULILLAH

Musical Miracles Unleashed Tor Jonnno Ami Bonno famed Upol Islam releases his debut album Miracle-I By Faizul Khan Tanim When I was listening to a recently released CD of Upol, the album title Miracle-1 reminded me of a Bon Jovi quote - “Miracles happen everyday, change your perception of what a miracle is and you'll see them all around you.” Upol's songs are contemporary - a luminous mix of emotional-vocals-in-tune, electronic pop, righteous rock sound, red-hot lyrics and the whole compilation sends a message to believe in the beauty of miracles, which weaves stories in our head. Thus, the stories begin…the stories of real life ordeals and enticing memories molded in memorable music compositions, lyrics and the album is declaring this - the phenomenon miracle is fascinating. Be it incredible achievements, sudden realizations or morbid fall downs all these extreme emotions seem miraculous as every human being gets affected by them…and most importantly, on a positive note. The ...

PRESS RELEASE Launching of Globitel and Interactive Intelligence Inc. in Bangladesh World renowned blue chip business solution providers Globitel (www.globitel.com) and Interactive Intelligence Inc. (www.inin.com) launched their services in Bangladesh officially in conjunction with their local partner Onecall Solutions Ltd on March 30 at Spectra Convention Centre Gulshan 1. Onecall offers communications technologies for contact centre solutions, next-generation enterprise, conference bridging, SMS gateway, performance & workforce management systems and more. And to better provide these services in Bangladesh, Onecall chooses to form elite partnerships with the best solution providers from around the globe. Globitel is a leading global provider of telecom solutions that utilizes unparalleled experience in state-of-the-art technologies and dedicated service to provide its clients with the most reliable and efficient telecom solutions possible. The company is introducing some of its c...

চু এই শব্দের আবরণে, ভেষজ সুখের শিহরণে... পাত্র জুড়ে মধুর রঙে অনন্য এক গল্প সেই গল্পে সাগর পাড়ে, রঙ্গীন ঘুড়ির আলোড়নে, আবীর মাখা কৌতূহলে, দুঃখ খুবই অল্প //ধুম্রময় স্বাদে ভরা ধূপময় স্বপ্নে হাসি খুশি আলোছায়া গারো কোনো অনুভবে// প্রফুল্ল সেই সূর্যালোকে গেরুয়া আভার দৃশ্যপটে দুষ্টু কিছু আলসেমিতে মিষ্টি কোনো খুনসুটিতে... রাত্রি হলে ক্লান্ত বিভোর "এখন" থেকে উড়তে চাই... সোহাগী বাতাস আদর মেখে ঘুমের রাজ্যে হারিয়ে যাই... *special thanks to Razik Fazle **my friends...u guys made it a glorious escape for me from the cosmopolitan frustrations...i luv u all ***CHU is a herbal drink...one without bubbles and harder than soft drinks...honey colored and brewed to perfection - beautiful lakri (firewood fuel) smell...its one of the most amazing drinks without the usage of methylated spirit...its grand...smells good and gives u a buzz u wud want every time after reading this poem :-) Finally thanks to all the mortal misunderstandings, fights and then again becoming friends...i loved n enjo...

by Me A new beginning: Places for an adventure have become increasingly rare. Sometimes our minds and bodies require that break, that true escape to get away from the urban chaos, secluded enough to promise peace and relaxation. If you have an image in your mind of deep, emerald waters and waves, a unique tent resort replacing concrete walls, pure breeze, adventurous scuba diving in the water kingdom, leisurely dinghy rides, psychedelic starry nights complemented by no electricity, earth stove cooked food and a complete organic atmosphere to delight all your idle senses, then Coral Blue Resort at the farthest end of St Martin's Island is the answer. Recreation and relaxation: So, elevate your spirits and celebrate the breathtaking surroundings of this beautiful establishment. Upon reaching the 10 acres land resort, one would be greeted with the signature menu green coconut water and fresh seasonal fruits. The breakfast, lunch and dinner menus are equally gorgeous whether you order ...

Getting the Spiritual High Band Lalon releases second studio album Khyapa Faizul Khan Tanim Khyapa, the recently released album of Lalon, the folk-fusion-rock band is a rich blend of folk (mostly Lalon geeti) lyrics, warm and powerful guitar sounds, acclimated bass lines and smooth drumming accompanying the arresting vocals. Their music has expanded from mediocre compositions to more retro and stylish folk-fusion-tinged rock. Khyapa consists of eight profound mood pieces whose visionary proclamations, mystical queries and arcane answers of Lalon are weaved in a poetically heightened Nakshi Kantha like imagery. Like archaeological site post cards boasting tales of sacred fortunes, these fusion rock numbers are framed in musical settings -- Khyapa, the song from the album for example revolves around answering the immortal question once asked by Lalon himself in his heavily admired song “Milon Hobe Kotodin-e”. Vocalist Sumi recalls her tutelage from Guru Shafi Mondal, “I strongly believe ...

Lalon Breaks Free :-) By Faizul Khan Tanim/www.amaderGaan.com The preaching and philosophy of Lalon is indeed so powerful that even the stones could not hold them. The “awareness” did not want to be protected inside the carved statuettes…not even in the form of exclusive sculptures. So, they have finally broken free and came to cater our craving for Lalon’s ideology and spiritual realization. Lalon lives within these five individuals in a rock band called Lalon and his immortal poetry of philosophical significance this time affectionately advocates peace through rock presentations. I would like to remember today's gig as Somi the front man of Lalon rocking a concert just like Dolores of The Cranberries rocks every stage she is on and I humbly wait for that day when an international artist would be addressed ''hey, there goes the Somi of our country''. Her good looks and boyish charms - short hair, big black bindi on forehead, scarf neatly messy round the neck disap...

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