Minhaz Ahmed Piklu, former guitarist of iconic Bangladeshi bands Rockstrata and Aurthohin, passed away yesterday around 9pm. He was 56.

The legendary tabla virtuoso, Ustad Zakir Hussain, was laid to rest on Thursday at a cemetery near San Francisco. As a heartfelt homage, renowned Indian percussionist A Sivamani, accompanied by fellow artistes, performed an evocative drum ensemble nearby.

BTS member V recently unveiled a new track, “White Christmas,” featuring the iconic Bing Crosby. Shortly after its release, the song secured a position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. 

In an unexpected move, two major festivals slated for Dhaka’s Army Stadium have been postponed due to security concerns and the sudden cancellation of venue bookings. The highly anticipated International Folk Music Festival and Bengal Foundation's Classical Music Festival have both been put on hold, leaving event organisers and attendees in uncertainty.

To show support for the families of the martyrs and injured from the July-August uprising, renowned South Asian musician Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is set to perform in Dhaka at a concert titled “Echoes of Revolution.”

Music enthusiasts in Dhaka are gearing up for an unforgettable experience as the Pakistani band Kaavish is set to headline “Dhaka Dreams,” a two-day concert scheduled for January 10 and 11, 2025, at Senaprangan.

After nearly two years, the much-discussed Arekta Rock Band is set to make a comeback to the concert stage. For the first time in almost four years, the band will reunite with its founding members for a live performance.  

The film has received a “U” grade censor certificate, deeming it suitable for audiences of all ages. “Priyo Maloti” has already been showcased at the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) and the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), earning official selections and widespread acclaim. Despite its deeply local context, the film’s themes resonate universally, allowing international audiences to connect with its story and characters.

While most popular bands took the stage, Artcell, one of the main attractions, was unable to perform due to unforeseen circumstances.

In a career that spanned over six decades, Zakir Hussain worked with not just India’s musical stalwarts like Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan but also legends like George Harrison and Van Morrison.

Bangladesh emerged as a sovereign state on December 16, 1971, following a nine-month-long Liberation War. This year, the nation celebrates Victory Day with renewed fervour, especially after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s regime on August 5, 2024.  

As part of the annual Victory Month celebrations, an open-air concert, titled “Shobar Agey Bangladesh” (Bangladesh First), has just kicked off in the capital. Held at Manik Mia Avenue, the event is set to run till 11pm today (December 16), bringing together some of the country’s most celebrated artistes and performers.

Amitabh Bachchan expressed his sorrow on his blog, calling Hussain “a genius, an unmatched maestro… an immeasurable loss.” Kamal Haasan shared a personal memory, posting an image of himself playing tabla with Hussain. “Zakir Bhai! He left too soon. Yet we are grateful for the times he gave us and what he left behind in the form of his art. Goodbye and thank you,” Haasan wrote.

This year, the Victory Day feels particularly significant due to this year’s powerful uprising. To commemorate this special day, here are some events to help you embrace the spirit of patriotism. 

Legendary tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain has passed away at a hospital in San Francisco, his family announced on Monday. 

Taylor Swift’s 35th birthday turned into a heartwarming celebration with her boyfriend, National Football League (NFL) star Travis Kelce. According to Page Six, a source close to the couple shared that Travis went all out to make the day special by arranging a private celebration and showering the pop sensation with a “ton of gifts.”

The collection features 12 unreleased songs thought to have been created between 1989 and 1991, during the lead-up to Michael Jackson’s “Dangerous” album.

Spotify brilliantly turned our listening habits into social media gold. By wrapping our music data in bold colours, quirky headlines, and an irresistible share button, they transformed a personal experience into a public spectacle. Suddenly, our taste in music was not just our taste—it became content.

Renowned Rabindra Sangeet exponent Rezwana Choudhury Bannya recalled her first meeting with Papia Sarwar in 1975. At the time, Papia—then known as Papia Rahman—was a third-year student at Sangit Bhavana (Institute of Dance, Drama, and Music) at Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, where Bannya had just begun her musical journey.

Swift, who has shaped much of the year’s music landscape, achieved a landmark in her career with wins that included Top Streaming Songs Artist and Top Billboard Global 200 Artist. Meanwhile, Zach Bryan continued his meteoric rise in the music industry, securing five wins, including Top Country Touring Artist and Top Rock Artist. Morgan Wallen followed closely with four awards, and genre-defining acts like Bad Bunny, Drake, Elevation Worship, and Shaboozey picked up three each.