http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/ en 2012-05-09T03:14:38-05:00 hourly 6 2012-05-09T03:14:38-05:00 http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/historical-capital-of-gaud 2012-05-09T03:14:38-05:00 en Editor Features The historical site of Gaud (also Gaur), some 100km from Rajshahi, is renowned for its many ancient mosques. These Islamic architectural wonders were constructed largely during the Muslim Sultanate and Mughal period when Gaud served as the capital of Bengal. Located along the Indian border with Bangladesh, the site of Gaud extends into both countries, and includes such noteworthy mosques as Chhota Sona Masjid, Darasbari Mosque, Khania Dighi Mosque, Madrassa and Tahkhana. http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/the-fascinating-oriental-magpie-robin 2012-04-25T03:13:15-05:00 en Editor Features With its statue of two birds with outstretched wings, Doyel Chatwar in Dhaka is a tribute to the national bird of Bangladesh – the Magpie Robin, or more specifically the Oriental Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis) of the family Muscicapidae, order Passeriformes. Referred to locally as doyel or doel, this attractive little bird is displayed on the currency notes of Bangladesh and is a common sight throughout the country, in both rural and urban settings. http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/kantojiu-temple-terracotta-treasure 2012-04-11T03:31:30-05:00 en Editor Features The ancient Hindu temple of Kantojiu is located in the Dinajpur District of Bangladesh. Constructed over a period of fifty years (1702-1752) the building of the temple was initiated by Maharaja Pran Nath and concluded during the reign of his son, Maharaja Ramnath. Kantojiu Temple originally featured nine spires typical of the nava-ratna architectural style, but the earthquake of 1897 destroyed the spires and they were never reconstructed. Nevertheless, the temple remains an architecture marvel featuring some of the best examples of terracotta adornment to be found in Bangladesh. http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/shahidul-alam-promoting-bangladeshi-visual-arts 2012-03-28T02:21:01-05:00 en Editor Features Born in Dhaka in 1955, Shahidul Alam has built a successful career in photography, both in Bangladesh and internationally, receiving his first award in 1983 – the Harvey Harris Trophy awarded by the London Arts Council for being judged as the best photographer of the year. Having studied in London and obtaining a PhD from the University of London, Alam returned to Dhaka in 1984, and in 1989 he set up the Drik Picture Library as a collaborative project with Bangladeshi anthropologist and writer, Rahnuma Ahmed. Using the Sanskrit word to describe inner vision and philosophy as it name, the Drik Picture Library provided a platform for photographers to display their work and explore new avenues in the ever-advancing world of photography. http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/shaharpara-birthplace-of-the-kamali-tribe 2012-03-14T03:32:37-05:00 en Editor Features Steeped in history and a tribute to its heritage, the village of Shaharpara is located around twenty-five miles west of Sylhet City on the banks of the River Ratna in the Sylhet Division of Bangladesh. This peaceful, but vibrant, village in the scenic district of Sunamganj takes its name from the Bengali term for 'King', Shahar, and 'inhabitance', Para, being a reference to Hajrat Shah Kamal, who was influential in the establishment of the village and the Kamali tribe of Bangladesh. http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/the-chuadanga-district-of-bangladesh 2012-02-29T06:26:30-06:00 en Editor Features Forming part of the Khulna administrative division in southwest Bangladesh, Chuadanga district is located within the vast Ganges Delta, with its main city resting on the bank of River Mathabhanga. Other rivers flowing through the district include the Bhairab, Chitra, Bhairab and Nabaganga. Home to almost a million people, and covering an area of more than 1,100 square kilometers, Chuadanga district has the Kushtia district of Bangladesh on it northeastern border, with Meherpur to the northwest, and Jhenaidaha to the south and southeast. The Nadia district in the state of West Bengal lies on the southwest border of Chuadanga district. http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/the-historic-state-of-gangaridai 2012-02-15T04:34:11-06:00 en Editor Features Believed to have been established around 300 BCE, the state of Gangaridai and its capital city of Gange, was located in the historical and geographical region referred to as Bengal – an area including present day Bangladesh and India's West Bengal State. The ruins of the city of Gange have not yet been discovered, but it has been suggested by scholars that either the Wari-Bateshwar ruins in the Belabo Upazila of Bangladesh, or the Chandraketugarh archeological site on the banks of the Bidyadhari River in India may be the lost city of the state of Gangaridai. http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/bengal-renaissance-an-era-of-progress 2012-02-01T03:24:15-06:00 en Editor Features Referred to as the Bengal Renaissance, the 19th century is considered to have been a time of transition from medieval to modern in a number of fields, including literature, religion, social reform, political leanings and scientific discoveries. During this time Bengal formed part of undivided India under British rule, and the Renaissance is said to have begun with Indian religious, educational and social reformer Raja Ram Mohan Roy (22 May 1772-27 September 1833) who pushed the boundaries of traditional Hindu culture and advocated progress for Indian society even though under the rule of the British. Together with Dwarkanath Tagore of the influential Tagore family of Kolkata, as well as other prominent Bengalis, Ram Mohan Roy established the Brahmo Sabha in 1828, which later become the societal aspect of Brahmo religion referred to as Brahmo Samaj. It is generally agreed that the Bengal Renaissance period ended with the death of Rabindranath Tagore in 1941, but it is also acknowledged that many staunch supporters of the Renaissance continued to encourage progress in different fields. http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/muzharul-islam-designer-of-enduring-landmarks 2012-01-19T06:19:00-06:00 en Editor Features Seen as the pioneer of Bengali modernism and architecture, Bangladeshi architect Muzharul Islam has designed many notable buildings at various locations in Bangladesh. His early works include the Art Institute in Shahbag, the Public Library and National Archives, all located in Dhaka. He designed the housing at Azimpur Estate in Dhaka, and was involved with the design of other landmark buildings in the city including the Headquarters for the Agricultural Development Corporation, the BCSIR Laboratory Buildings, and the World Bank Office Buildings, as well as Chittagong University and the Jahangirnagar University. This talented and innovative Bangladeshi architect collaborated with American architect in the design of polytechnic institutes in the cities of Rangpur, Pabna, Bogra, Sylhet and Barisal. http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/bhabanipur-shaktipeeth-pilgrimage-site 2012-01-04T02:57:53-06:00 en Editor Features Located along the Karatoya River, about 28 kilometers from the Sherpur Upazila of the Bogra District in the Rajshahi Division of Bangladesh, Bhabanipur Shaktipeeth is a place of worship dedicated to the Hindu goddess Shakti, also referred to as Durga, Sati or Parvati. As one of the Shakti Peethas, Bhabanipur is historically a pilgrimage destination for adherents to this particular denomination of Hinduism which worships Shakti as their Divine Mother. The numerous temples at the site and the holy Shakha-Pukur pond are visited by devotees from all around Bangladesh and beyond its borders.