Friday, 23nd April 2010
Pohela Boishakh Mela(1417) of Bangla Academy(Dhaka), arranged cultural program at every evening(for 10 days). The mela lasted for ten days starting from the first day of the Bengali month Boishakh. Today it was "Baul Gan" performed by some neophyte and sagacious artists.
One of the singer from the program was "Abdul Hai". He is 49 years of old, and he performed 3 songs that night. I have added 2 of his song those I liked most. The accent/tone of the singer looks like he is from "Bhoirob Bazar" area of Bangladesh.
Ami Rongila Baoi
Song: Rongila Baoi...
Singer: Baul Matal Abdul Hai
This song was performed at the Cultural Program of Pohela Boishakh Mela at Bangla Academy, Dhaka, Bangladesh. This song was created by "Matal Abdul Razzak", the mentor of the singer.
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After performing two songs in a row, the singer said us bye for the night. But actually he didn't leave the mela area when he saw such a numerous number of crowd that night. He was wandering at the mela area. So the authority requested him to perform another one, and he just knocked the audience by his majestic performance.
Amar Moton Roshik Paiba Koi.
Song: Amar Moton Roshik Paiba Koi.
Singer: Baul Matal Abdul Hai.
This song was performed at the Cultural Program of Pohela Boishakh Mela at Bangla Academy, Dhaka, Bangladesh. This song was created by "Matal Abdul Razzak", the mentor of the singer.
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Thursday, April 29, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Dhaka: Rose Garden Palace
Saturday, 24th April 2010
I have started my today's old dhaka expedition with this nice palace. This one is situated at Shamibag area. The exact location is at the K.M Das Lane of Tikutuli. It will only take 15 taka rickshaw fair from Motijheel area.
This is a white colored palace. If you watch this from the far side, it will looks like a palace of wax. Its so cute and nice. This building was originally built by the Nawabs of Dhaka as a pleasure lodge. But later on after handed over several people, its now owned by Laila Raquib.
This rose garden palace is known as "Humayun Shaheber Bari"(Mr Humayun's House) at that area. But later on the building is owned by someone Rashid, and he had renamed the building as "Rashid Manzil", but still people used to call it as "Humayun Shaheber Bari".
This magnificent flamboyant styled building was built during the early 1900. It has completely Mughal decoration. The Minaret at the top of the building, the columns of the building, and the window style everything supports the mughal style.
In front of the building there is a small pond. And the pond has a concrete ghat for the afternoon seat. Between the pond and the house, there is a small lone which is covered with small grass.
There are several white status inside the palace premise. Its appear that those are made by marble. The statues are Greek styled. Cause those were wearing gown or long skirt which my country women don't used to wear(specially that time).
This is a private property. You have to request there for your entry. But there is no guarantee whether you will be permitted to enter or not. So make your best try when you are making request. Good luck!
I have started my today's old dhaka expedition with this nice palace. This one is situated at Shamibag area. The exact location is at the K.M Das Lane of Tikutuli. It will only take 15 taka rickshaw fair from Motijheel area.
This is a white colored palace. If you watch this from the far side, it will looks like a palace of wax. Its so cute and nice. This building was originally built by the Nawabs of Dhaka as a pleasure lodge. But later on after handed over several people, its now owned by Laila Raquib.
This rose garden palace is known as "Humayun Shaheber Bari"(Mr Humayun's House) at that area. But later on the building is owned by someone Rashid, and he had renamed the building as "Rashid Manzil", but still people used to call it as "Humayun Shaheber Bari".
This magnificent flamboyant styled building was built during the early 1900. It has completely Mughal decoration. The Minaret at the top of the building, the columns of the building, and the window style everything supports the mughal style.
In front of the building there is a small pond. And the pond has a concrete ghat for the afternoon seat. Between the pond and the house, there is a small lone which is covered with small grass.
There are several white status inside the palace premise. Its appear that those are made by marble. The statues are Greek styled. Cause those were wearing gown or long skirt which my country women don't used to wear(specially that time).
This is a private property. You have to request there for your entry. But there is no guarantee whether you will be permitted to enter or not. So make your best try when you are making request. Good luck!
Dhaka: St Thomas Church
Saturday, 24th April 2010
St Thomas Church, also known as St Merry's Cathedral. Some local people used to call it as "Shada Girja"(means white church) because of the very white color of the church.
This is located just beside the Johnson Road of Lakkhi(Lokkhi or Laxmi) Bazar. Also for your information, its just opposite of the Bahadur Shah Park. So you can visit both the place at the same time.
This church is open for all. I don't know the exact time for the prayers. But you can go there anytime to visit the church. There is no restriction for the visitors. If you are lucky, and present at the prayer time, you can enter inside the church too.
There is a basketball ground in front of the church, where the stuffs and officers of the church used to play at afternoon.
St Thomas Church, also known as St Merry's Cathedral. Some local people used to call it as "Shada Girja"(means white church) because of the very white color of the church.
This is located just beside the Johnson Road of Lakkhi(Lokkhi or Laxmi) Bazar. Also for your information, its just opposite of the Bahadur Shah Park. So you can visit both the place at the same time.
This church is open for all. I don't know the exact time for the prayers. But you can go there anytime to visit the church. There is no restriction for the visitors. If you are lucky, and present at the prayer time, you can enter inside the church too.
There is a basketball ground in front of the church, where the stuffs and officers of the church used to play at afternoon.
Dhaka: Bahadur Shah Park(Victoria Park)
Saturday, 24th April 2010
Bahadur shah park which was known Victoria park initially. This is located at Lakkhi bazar(laxmi or lokkhi bazar) or old Dhaka. It has roads all around of it. This is a small park and it may appear to you as a road circle to you.
This park has a history. During the Sepoy's mutiny against British, hundreds of sepoys and their civil compatriots were publicly hanged. I think that was during 1857. Later on, at 1858, the Nawab Khwaja Abdul Ghani took an initiative to built a monument to commemorate the sepoys.
This park was renowned as Victoria Park till 1947. But after that its renamed as Bahadur Shah Park after the name of "Bahadur Shah II", the last Mughal Emperor. But still now, local people used to call this park as Victoria park. So keep this on your mind when you'll visit the place, otherwise you may find difficulties to locate the park.
This park has a nice and healthy environment. Its not like the other parks of Dhaka. No obscene activities inside the park. Most of the people are here for walk, who are suffering from diabetics.
If you know the Jagannath University, then it will be easy to find the park. This is just near the university.
Monument inside the park, to commemorate the Sepoy of 1857
Bahadur shah park which was known Victoria park initially. This is located at Lakkhi bazar(laxmi or lokkhi bazar) or old Dhaka. It has roads all around of it. This is a small park and it may appear to you as a road circle to you.
This park has a history. During the Sepoy's mutiny against British, hundreds of sepoys and their civil compatriots were publicly hanged. I think that was during 1857. Later on, at 1858, the Nawab Khwaja Abdul Ghani took an initiative to built a monument to commemorate the sepoys.
Top of the monument from inside.
This park was renowned as Victoria Park till 1947. But after that its renamed as Bahadur Shah Park after the name of "Bahadur Shah II", the last Mughal Emperor. But still now, local people used to call this park as Victoria park. So keep this on your mind when you'll visit the place, otherwise you may find difficulties to locate the park.
The park view from the monument.
This park has a nice and healthy environment. Its not like the other parks of Dhaka. No obscene activities inside the park. Most of the people are here for walk, who are suffering from diabetics.
Twin Siamese Pine tree having same root
If you know the Jagannath University, then it will be easy to find the park. This is just near the university.
Dhaka: St Francis Xavier's Girls High School
Saturday, 24th April 2010
This is one of the best school for the girls, from Old Dhaka. This one is located just beside the Gregory's school. Since it is a girls school, I knew my entry won't be entertained by the school authority. So it wasn't at my visit list.
But from a shopkeeper, I came to know it used to remain close at Saturday as weekend. So I took my chance as its off, and I entered the school to visit the school structures. This school was built at 1912 under the same board of the Gregory's school, but later on the board is separated, and now controlling by a different authority.
There are two main building inside the school premise. One is U shaped. Half of that building used for the kindergarten students, and rest of it for the school's girls. I mean hostel. The classroom building is L shaped and this one was built at 1993. This white colored white shaped building looks nice, and it has a basketball ground in front of it.
There is a small garden inside the school premise. You can easily find a statue of mother Merry who is holding the earth. This garden is profound with several flower plants and small fruit trees. Also at the other end of the ground, you'll find a flat labyrinth which is nicely decorated.
The playground for the students is a bit smaller. Also one corner of the playground contains several instruments for the kids, like the seesaw, slipper, etc.
There is a small two stored building inside the school premise which almost looks like the brother house of the Gregory's school. Later on I came to know that its used to keep the exam papers and other stuffs. I think its kind of store house.
This is one of the best school for the girls, from Old Dhaka. This one is located just beside the Gregory's school. Since it is a girls school, I knew my entry won't be entertained by the school authority. So it wasn't at my visit list.
You have to pass the corridor to enter the school
But from a shopkeeper, I came to know it used to remain close at Saturday as weekend. So I took my chance as its off, and I entered the school to visit the school structures. This school was built at 1912 under the same board of the Gregory's school, but later on the board is separated, and now controlling by a different authority.
This building contains the classrooms for the girls.
There are two main building inside the school premise. One is U shaped. Half of that building used for the kindergarten students, and rest of it for the school's girls. I mean hostel. The classroom building is L shaped and this one was built at 1993. This white colored white shaped building looks nice, and it has a basketball ground in front of it.
Kindergarten building and the hostel
There is a small garden inside the school premise. You can easily find a statue of mother Merry who is holding the earth. This garden is profound with several flower plants and small fruit trees. Also at the other end of the ground, you'll find a flat labyrinth which is nicely decorated.
Statue of Mother Merry, who is holding the Earth
The playground for the students is a bit smaller. Also one corner of the playground contains several instruments for the kids, like the seesaw, slipper, etc.
Store House
There is a small two stored building inside the school premise which almost looks like the brother house of the Gregory's school. Later on I came to know that its used to keep the exam papers and other stuffs. I think its kind of store house.
The Labyrinth
Dhaka: St Gregory's High School
Saturday, 24th April 2010
I have heard lots of about the school. I knew that this one is the best School from the Old Dhaka. But after my visit the school, and hearing more from the local people and my friends, I found this is one of the best school from my country, Bangladesh.
This school is located at near the Victoria park of Lakkhi bazar. It was established in 1882 by the Father Gregory de Groots who was a Belgian Benedict priest. Initially the school was built for the expat students. But later on some native students were enrolled at the school.
Currently the school has a "U" shapped 5 stored large building. I liked the education building. Its nicely ornate, and very neat and clean. School has two sections, morning, and day. Day section used to dismiss by 5:00 at afternoon. After that you are free to enter the school premise.
Inside the school boundary, you'll find a church, and a brother house. At the brother house, the teachers are used to live. Also you'll find a two stored small house inside the school premise. This one was the first education building when it was initially built.
I was amazed when I came to know that the famous college of dhaka, the Notre Dame College was initially started from here, and its name was then Gregory's College. Now a days, there has a quota for the Gregory's students at Notre Dame college after successfully completion of the matriculation examination. This school stopped it's education system at few occasions, one of them was after 1970. Also the school lost its pride that period of time. But redeemed the pride, and still continuing that with the proud Gregorian.
This school has one basket ball playground for the students. If you visit the school at afternoon, you'll find boys are playing. Sometimes the teachers, even the principal used to play with the boys. Also there is a large football ground where boys were playing both football and cricket.
Finally the school has lots of prominent faces who were created from the school. Among them Dr Amartya Sen (Nobel Laureate Economist), Tajuddin Ahmed (first prime minister of Bangladesh), Dr Kamal Hossain (former law and justice minister of Bangladesh) are greatly remembered.
You can read more about the school from the wikipedia.
I have heard lots of about the school. I knew that this one is the best School from the Old Dhaka. But after my visit the school, and hearing more from the local people and my friends, I found this is one of the best school from my country, Bangladesh.
This school is located at near the Victoria park of Lakkhi bazar. It was established in 1882 by the Father Gregory de Groots who was a Belgian Benedict priest. Initially the school was built for the expat students. But later on some native students were enrolled at the school.
Currently the school has a "U" shapped 5 stored large building. I liked the education building. Its nicely ornate, and very neat and clean. School has two sections, morning, and day. Day section used to dismiss by 5:00 at afternoon. After that you are free to enter the school premise.
Inside the school boundary, you'll find a church, and a brother house. At the brother house, the teachers are used to live. Also you'll find a two stored small house inside the school premise. This one was the first education building when it was initially built.
Brother House
I was amazed when I came to know that the famous college of dhaka, the Notre Dame College was initially started from here, and its name was then Gregory's College. Now a days, there has a quota for the Gregory's students at Notre Dame college after successfully completion of the matriculation examination. This school stopped it's education system at few occasions, one of them was after 1970. Also the school lost its pride that period of time. But redeemed the pride, and still continuing that with the proud Gregorian.
Initial School building when started at 1882
This school has one basket ball playground for the students. If you visit the school at afternoon, you'll find boys are playing. Sometimes the teachers, even the principal used to play with the boys. Also there is a large football ground where boys were playing both football and cricket.
Finally the school has lots of prominent faces who were created from the school. Among them Dr Amartya Sen (Nobel Laureate Economist), Tajuddin Ahmed (first prime minister of Bangladesh), Dr Kamal Hossain (former law and justice minister of Bangladesh) are greatly remembered.
You can read more about the school from the wikipedia.
Dhaka: Holy Cross Church, Lakkhibazar
Saturday, 24th April 2010
Holy Cross Church is located is at lakkhibazar(laxmi bazar, lokkhi bazar). Its a small one but very easy to locate it. Its exactly between the St Gregory's High School and St Francis Girls High School. You can enter the church from the both side of the school.
This is very small one, and I found its written at the church gate "only Christians are allowed to enter". Anyway the gate was locked. But you can watch the church from outside. The style of the church is a bit older one. Don't know when it was built, but for sure its built somewhere around the birth of the school.
Holy Cross Church is located is at lakkhibazar(laxmi bazar, lokkhi bazar). Its a small one but very easy to locate it. Its exactly between the St Gregory's High School and St Francis Girls High School. You can enter the church from the both side of the school.
Prayer place of the church
This is very small one, and I found its written at the church gate "only Christians are allowed to enter". Anyway the gate was locked. But you can watch the church from outside. The style of the church is a bit older one. Don't know when it was built, but for sure its built somewhere around the birth of the school.
Dhaka: River Buriganga
Saturday, 24th April, 2010
Our capital city dhaka is situated by the bank of the river Buriganga. It has a long history and you can read that from wikipedia.
My previous experience about buriganga was really horrible. I first saw buriganga from the proximity of "Ahsan Manjil". The water was so black, and the smell was so pungent that I never thought I'll come to see the river once again.
But interestingly from one of my old dhaka friend, I came to know that the water at the area of FarashGanj side is almost clean, and it has very negligible amount of smell. That gave me the courage to visit the river one more time.
When I was near the river, and I found my friend was right. You'll find lots of boats are crossing from one bank to the another one, and caring either goods or people, or both. It will cost you only 10 taka per person to cross the river with a boat.
I have crossed the river with that small boat, and it was an excellent riding. You'll find lots of small steamer and launches are passing through the river, and the passing wave from the vehicles will just swerve your small boat. You can trust on me, and taste this. Next time I have a plane to enjoy the sun set from the buriganga bridge.
Our capital city dhaka is situated by the bank of the river Buriganga. It has a long history and you can read that from wikipedia.
My previous experience about buriganga was really horrible. I first saw buriganga from the proximity of "Ahsan Manjil". The water was so black, and the smell was so pungent that I never thought I'll come to see the river once again.
But interestingly from one of my old dhaka friend, I came to know that the water at the area of FarashGanj side is almost clean, and it has very negligible amount of smell. That gave me the courage to visit the river one more time.
When I was near the river, and I found my friend was right. You'll find lots of boats are crossing from one bank to the another one, and caring either goods or people, or both. It will cost you only 10 taka per person to cross the river with a boat.
I have crossed the river with that small boat, and it was an excellent riding. You'll find lots of small steamer and launches are passing through the river, and the passing wave from the vehicles will just swerve your small boat. You can trust on me, and taste this. Next time I have a plane to enjoy the sun set from the buriganga bridge.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Dhaka: Ruplal house
Saturday, 24th April 2010
Ruplal house(rooplal house) is located at Farashganj, just beside the bank of the buriganga river. It was built by the to prominent merchant brothers from dhaka, names are Ruplal and Raghunath Das. Its not found how old the building was, but may be its around 150-200 years of old.
There are two buildings built adjoining. Both of them are almost similar architectures, but the ruplal house was the beautifulone if you compare it with other one. Now a days Ruplal house is known as Zakir house, and the other one is known as Noorjahan house. Inside the both building you'll find spice and vegetable market.
The house has more than 50 rooms inside of it including a large hall room. All of the rooms are commodious. The column of the building is round, and the style is looks like the Greeks. Also the top of the building, specially the edges are too. But now a days the old trees are grown up at the wall of the building.
No one is available there to clean up that. But inside of the building you'll find unauthorized people are living. I have found some nest of crow's either. Recently I have heard that Bangladesh government has announced this as archaeological property, but no action taken to make the place safe. I think we still have some time on our hand to save the structure before all lost.
If you want to visit the place, then ask the rickshaw puller to drop you at sham bazar. Then ask anyone about the ruplal house. Many rikshawala doesn't know this house as ruplal house. So keep this thing on your mind.
Ruplal house(rooplal house) is located at Farashganj, just beside the bank of the buriganga river. It was built by the to prominent merchant brothers from dhaka, names are Ruplal and Raghunath Das. Its not found how old the building was, but may be its around 150-200 years of old.
There are two buildings built adjoining. Both of them are almost similar architectures, but the ruplal house was the beautifulone if you compare it with other one. Now a days Ruplal house is known as Zakir house, and the other one is known as Noorjahan house. Inside the both building you'll find spice and vegetable market.
The house has more than 50 rooms inside of it including a large hall room. All of the rooms are commodious. The column of the building is round, and the style is looks like the Greeks. Also the top of the building, specially the edges are too. But now a days the old trees are grown up at the wall of the building.
No one is available there to clean up that. But inside of the building you'll find unauthorized people are living. I have found some nest of crow's either. Recently I have heard that Bangladesh government has announced this as archaeological property, but no action taken to make the place safe. I think we still have some time on our hand to save the structure before all lost.
If you want to visit the place, then ask the rickshaw puller to drop you at sham bazar. Then ask anyone about the ruplal house. Many rikshawala doesn't know this house as ruplal house. So keep this thing on your mind.
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