“Otoshi Mami”: Manik Bandopadhyay’s first published story comes to life

On the occasion of pioneering Bengali litterateur Manik Bandopadhyay's (1908-1956), birth centenary, Production house Splendor premiered the telefilm "Otoshi Mami," an adaptation of Bandopadhyay's short story with the same title, on March 5. The film was screened at Bengal Shilpalay. It should be mentioned, "Otoshi Mami" (1935), was the first published story by the author.

Simon Zakaria adapted the story for the film. Humayun Kabir Himu and Parvez Amin jointly wrote the script and directed the 72-minute film. Bannya Mirza plays the titular role while Ahmed Rubel, Jhuna Chowdhury, and Shoeb play other important characters in "Otoshi Mami".

The story deals with a group of people who believe that art is larger than life. The film begins with young Suresh (Shoeb) playing flute. His uncle, Horen (Jhuna Chowdhury), discourages him, telling him the story of his flutist friend, Jatin. According to Horen, if one heard Jatin play the flute, he would never wish to play the instrument again. Curious, Suresh sets out for Jatin's place. At Jatin's, Suresh meets a man who is ready to sacrifice his life in the pursuit of his craft. A devoted artiste, Jatin (Ahmed Rubel), is dying from tuberculosis and every time he plays the flute, he has to pay a heavy price with blood-tinged cough. Suresh also meets the flutist's young, beautiful and devoted wife. The woman, whom he calls "Otoshi Mami," particularly impresses Suresh and he is strongly moved by her determination to prevent her husband from playing flute. Years later, Suresh comes across Otoshi again, this time on a train, garbed in all white.

With strong performances by the actors, the telefilm becomes a poignant narrative. The directors seem quite aware of each and every detail. Background score by Komol Khaled is complimentary to the production. In certain scenes, however, the audience found the film a bit dawdling. Sheikh Saiful is the cinematographer of the telefilm.

Exquisite Bonsai Exhibition

A four-day Japan Cultural Festival began at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) premises on March 4 with an exquisite bonsai contest and exhibition. The Embassy of Japan and BSA have jointly organised the festival, which will end tomorrow with the staging of BSA's Japanese theatre production, "One Hundred Sacks of Rice", at the National Theatre Hall. Screening of a Japanese animation film, "Nobita's Dinosaur 2006", is also on the cards.

On March 4, Masayuki Inoue, ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, inaugurated the festival at the National Art Gallery. In his speech, Inoue extended his condolences to the victims of last weeks' tragic incident at the BDR headquarters and their families.

The organisers have had to reschedule and cut short the eight-day programme (earlier scheduled to start on February 28) to four days and have had to cancel a four-day ikebana exhibition.

Among others, Bhuiyan Shafiqul Islam, director general of BSA, was present at the programme.

The bonsai exhibition is jointly organised by Bangladesh Bonsai Society (BBS) and Japanese Embassy. The exhibition featured nearly 100 miniature version of trees including common Bangladeshi trees like Bokul, Tetul, Pakur, Hijal, Bougainvillea and Kamini.

Bonsai has flourished in Japan as a creative art and epitomises scenic beauty, seasonal moods and the natural environment. Bonsai enthusiasts believe that this art reflects our love and concern for the environment and for trees in particular--which transforms gigantic trees to miniatures and suitable for homes.

Since 1999, the Bangladesh Bonsai Society has undertaken creditable efforts to promote this Japanese art. At present, apart from Dhaka, the society has extended its branches to Rajshahi, Sylhet and Habiganj.

Three of the best-exhibited potted plants will be awarded at the exhibition.