My Dhaka
Baldah Garden's sundial: A rare timepiece of Dhaka!
A sundial, simply put, is an archaic device of telling time. Not your ordinary clock!
Evening walk at city parks: Where walking is more than just exercise!
A casual walk around a park in the evening has a charm of its own.
Musa Khan's grave: A heritage of the Baro Bhuiyan
Musa Khan died of a long illness in April 1623, just around a decade after Dhaka became a Mughal capital.
Library lane: The forgotten bookshops of New Market
Nilkhet, Mirpur, Banglabazar -- many destinations are well known amongst bookworms of Dhaka. However, nestled within the bustling New Market lies a lesser-known, historical book market. What happened to Library Lane, this once vibrant hub of knowledge? Today, the future of the place hangs in the balance, its rich history fading into memory.
Shilpakala Academy: A cultural oasis in the city
Situated in the old neighbourhood of Segunbagicha, near the lush Ramna Park, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has always been the go-to place for theatre, exhibitions, and cultural programmes. It is the National Institute of Fine and Performing Arts and a cultural hub in Dhaka.
Dhaka’s tea trade
“Cha ar biskoot” (tea and biscuits) is Bangalee’s favourite quick grab. And strong and flavoursome tea is our favourite. Looking for premium tea in Dhaka can be a tad difficult now but once the city boasted dedicated shops that sold different grades and blends of local tea.
5 popular eateries in and around DU campus
On July 1, 2024, Dhaka University celebrated its 103rd anniversary. University life is an experience in itself. Besides the education and the bonds of friendship people share, a notable aspect that shines in every person’s heart is campus food.
The first 3 residential halls of Dhaka University
Splendid in appearance as they are, the three halls also hold a lot of history.
The unknown tomb in Mohammadpur
Between Shia Mosque and Mohammadpur Bus Stand, a mausoleum stands at Banshbari, easily visible on the left.
The Greeks of Dhaka
A small but graceful-looking memorial that stands at a corner of the TSC field in Dhaka University is a reminder of that Greek presence.
Simple solutions to Eid alarms!
A series of unfortunate incidents began just the day before Eid holidays started.
Life with an urban monkey
Living in Dhaka, one rarely expects encounters with wildlife, especially monkeys. However, my home at Shahjadpur, beside an enormous mango tree, became the stage for a rather unusual drama involving a lone monkey!
The oldest surviving mosque of Dhaka
Binat Bibi's Mosque or the Mosque of Bakht Binat at Narinda was established around 1456 CE, during the reign of Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah.
Civic duties during Eid-ul-Azha
The sacrifice of animals on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha commemorates a sacrifice, which symbolises utmost loyalty and complete submission to the Almighty -- this is the first part of the Eid rituals.
Scenes from a bazaar
Just a few kilometres off the city boundaries is a greener Dhaka. The colours and tempo of a busy market intrigues me with wafts of tea brewing in a soot-laden old kettle in a tea stall.
Glimpses of the interior of Mughal-era mosques in Dhaka
Generally speaking, the magnificent facade and the rather generous surroundings of a Mughal mosque are in sharp contrast with its small interior.
Letterpress printing near death of a trade
The sound of printing in a letterpress machine has a certain rhythm to it. The ink, which is evenly spread on the platen or the flat platform of the press; the wheels running while copies of an image are produced by repeated direct impression -- all have a nostalgic pull to this near obsolete technology.
Café La Véranda: A Parisian feel in the city
Tiny round tables, wrought iron chairs with red seaters, a grand piano on lend from Notre Dame College, a tiny reading corner, a food counter, and the air that has a hint of freshly brewed coffee or tea make this eatery -- Café la Véranda -- inviting.
