A hot-air balloon bearing an Olympic ring of fire illuminated the rainy sky, and Celine Dion’s powerful voice echoed from the Eiffel Tower as Paris commenced its first Summer Olympics in a century on Friday. The four-hour, rule-defying opening ceremony took place along the Seine River, transforming the city into a giant open-air theater.

Intermittent showers did little to dampen the spirits of the athletes. Some held umbrellas as they sailed down the river, showcasing the city’s resilience amidst an ongoing investigation into suspected sabotage of France’s high-speed rail network.

The ambitious ceremony carried high stakes for France, with dozens of heads of state and government in attendance. The world watched as iconic Parisian landmarks became stages for dancers, singers, and performers. The Louvre Museum was one such stage, where French judo champion Teddy Riner and three-time Olympic champion runner Marie-José Pérec lit the Olympic cauldron, which then floated into the night sky, paying homage to early French pioneers of manned flight.

“We survived the rain, but it didn’t spoil any of our fun,” USA beach volleyball player Kelly Cheng remarked. “This was one of the most magical nights of our lives.”

Crowds packed the banks and bridges of the Seine, watching from balconies and cheering as the Olympic teams paraded down the increasingly choppy waterway. Many of the hundreds of thousands of spectators huddled under umbrellas, plastic ponchos, or jackets as the rain intensified, while others danced, sang, or sought shelter.

“The rain can’t stop us,” said U.S. basketball star LeBron James, donning a plastic poncho alongside fellow American flag bearer, tennis player Coco Gauff.

The weather created some unusual scenes: a stoic pianist continued playing as puddles formed on his grand piano, a breakdancer performed on a rain-slick platform, and some athletes appeared dressed more for the beach than the rain. Safety concerns prompted organizers to cut certain show elements deemed too risky under the wet conditions.

Despite these challenges, Paris put its best foot forward with a spectacular launch that featured joyous French cancan dancers and a humorous short film starring soccer icon Zinedine Zidane. French blue, white, and red smoke filled the air, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Lady Gaga sang in French in a prerecorded segment, accompanied by dancers with pink plumed pompoms, injecting a cabaret feel into the proceedings. Celine Dion closed the show with her first live performance since being diagnosed with stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder, in late 2022.

French President Emmanuel Macron officially declared the Games open more than three hours into the show. However, a minor mishap occurred earlier when the Olympic flag was briefly raised upside down at the Trocadero across from the Eiffel Tower.

The ceremony included notable moments such as a performance by French-Malian pop star Aya Nakamura, who emerged from a pyrotechnic display in an all-gold outfit to sing her hit “Djadja” alongside a Republican guard band of the French army. The event also celebrated women with ten golden statues of female pioneers rising from giant pedestals along the river, including Olympe de Gouges, a revolutionary who campaigned for women’s rights and the abolition of slavery.

The Paris Games aim to be the first with equal numbers of male and female competitors. The sprawling event posed logistical challenges, with thousands of athletes transported and safeguarded along the 6-kilometer parade route on the Seine. The parade began dramatically with athletes from Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, breaking through water curtains cascading from Austerlitz Bridge, reminiscent of the fountains at Versailles Palace.

Spectators who followed organizers’ advice to arrive early along the ceremony route expressed frustration over long waits to reach their seats, particularly given the high cost of tickets.

Nevertheless, Paris showcased its architectural gems and rich history, with the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre Museum playing starring roles. Award-winning theater director Thomas Jolly crafted a narrative celebrating French history and spirit, aimed at rejuvenating Paris’ image and demonstrating the city’s capability to host a sustainable and appealing Summer Games.

Security was tight, with large sections of central Paris restricted and a no-fly zone enforced during the ceremony. The athletes’ river journey passed historic sites temporarily transformed into Olympic venues, such as Concorde Plaza, now hosting skateboarding, and the golden-domed resting place of Napoléon Bonaparte, the backdrop for Olympic archery. The Eiffel Tower even contributed iron to the Olympic medals, symbolizing Paris’ blend of heritage and innovation.

Paris Games chief organizer Tony Estanguet emphasized, “We want to show the world and the French people that we are capable of extraordinary things.”

Shafin Ahmed, unanimously regarded as Bangladesh’s one of the most popular and iconic band artists and former frontman of the legendary Bangladeshi band Miles, has passed away at age 63.

The popular Bangladeshi rock bassist, singer-songwriter, and record producer breathed his last while on life support in a hospital in Virginia, United States, on Wednesday (local time) due to heart and kidney failure, according to the Bangladesh Band Music Fans Community (BBMFC).

Born on February 14, 1961, in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, to the subcontinent’s pioneering music artists Kamal Dasgupta and Feroza Begum, Shafin Ahmed joined the Bangladeshi rock band Miles in 1979.

Alongside his brother and another iconic Bangladeshi music artist, Hamin Ahmed, he performed in Miles first as an acoustic guitarist and later became the band’s lead singer and bassist in 1991.

After moving to Dhaka during childhood, Shafin Ahmed began his musical career at the age of nine by taking lessons about Nazrul Sangeet, courtesy of his iconic parents. He was exposed to Western musical influences since he studied in England, along with his elder brother Hamin Ahmed, after completing his schooling at the St Joseph Higher Secondary School in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Continuing with Miles as the vocalist, songwriter, composer, and bass guitarist from 1979, Shafin Ahmed first left the band in 2009. He rejoined in 2014 and continued till 2017, left for the second time, and rejoined for his final run with the band in 2018, after permanently leaving the band in 2021.

Despite his creative disputes with his bandmates at Miles, Shafin Ahmed performed and collaborated on every album of the band, starting with Miles (1982) and progressing to A Step Farther (1986), Protisruti (the band’s maiden Bengali album, 1991), Prottasha (1993), Prottoy (1996), Proyash (1997), Probaho (2000), Protiddhoni (2006), Proticchobi (2015), and Proborton (2016). After leaving Miles in 2009, he formed his own band, Rhythm of Life, in 2010, which continued till 2014.

Shafin Ahmed simultaneously made his place in the country’s music industry as one of its most popular and iconic singers, courtesy of his popular songs, including ‘Aj Jonmodin Tomar’, which is often considered as the anthem of birthday celebrations in the country. Written and composed by eminent music producer Prince Mahmud, the song was first featured in Prince’s mixed album Daag Theke Jay (2004).

As the frontman of Miles, Shafin Ahmed is also acclaimed for many popular and superhit tracks, including ‘Phiriye Dao’, ‘Dhiki Dhiki’, ‘Neela’, ‘Chad Tara Surjo’,”Ki Jaadu’, ‘Jani Tumi’ and more.

He also released several solo albums, including Tomakey (1987), Pagla Ghonti (1998), Chobi Ar Sritigulo (1999), Best of Shafin Ahmed (2001), Kotodin Dekhina Tomay (2006), Virus (2006), Harano Shukh (2007), My Love Songs (2010), and Mone Pore Aj (Nazrul Songs, as a tribute to his mother Feroza Begum, 2016).

Besides his successful musical career, Shafin Ahmed also took part in the nation’s politics and even contested at the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) in 2019 for the mayor position from the Jatiya Party.

Like every year, television channels, OTT platforms, and production houses in Bangladesh are gearing up for week-long festivities. One of the largest parts of the entertainment bonanza of the Eid-ul-Fitr 2023 is the Bengali Eid Natoks, telefilms, and web series. This year too, Bengali dramas performed by renowned artists are lined up to entertain the viewers during the Eid holidays. Let’s have a look.

Priyo Poribar
Like every year, the popular TV actor Apurba features in several upcoming Eid projects including Priyo Poribar.

In Priyo Poribar, Apurba plays the role of an elderly patriarch of a middle-class family. The storyline shows how a family-head deals with his growing children, and changing times. The struggle of a father to hold onto his family makes up the premise of the telefilm. Veteran actress Tarin will be seen alongside Apurba in the lead role.

With the story by Mezbah Uddin Sumon, the telefilm is directed by Rubel Hasan. The telefilm will be available on Club 11 Entertainment’s official YouTube channel.

Shubhashini
Shubhashini is another project of Apurba this Eid ul Fitr. Keya Payel also stars in this drama. The story follows a quintessential romance between two different people who came across each other by chance.

Shubhashini has been directed by Syed Shakil with the story from Mezbah Uddin Sumon. In addition to Apurba and Keya Payel, viewers will see Dilara Zaman, Samanta Shimu, and Khalequzzaman in supporting roles.

The telefilm will be broadcasted on Maasranga TV.

Irsha
Following Shubhashini, viewers will see another Apurba–Payel pair up in Irsha. This is a story of two couples constantly finding each other’s opposition. Yet the storyline will show how the couple overcame the crisis and stayed together.

Irsha is directed by Syed Shakil while the script is written by Mezbah Uddin Sumon. The telefilm will be available this Eid ul Fitr on CMV Entertainment’s official YouTube channel.

Eid Salami
Jovan and Samira Khan Mahi are pairing up for a rom-com Eid telefilm named Eid Salami. The telefilm is produced by Shahed Ali Pappu and will be directed by Rafat Mozumder Rinku. It is based on the story by Jobaed Ahsan.

The telefilm will be available this Eid on CMV Entertainment’s official YouTube channel.

Nithar Kolahol
Nazia Haq Orsha made a terrific comeback to small screens last year. This year too, she has a few projects lined up for Eid. Yash Rohan also stars in this drama. The story follows Yash who is a photographer and Orsha whom he’s head over heels for.

The story of the telefilm has been developed by Asaduzzaman Sohag with direction from Subrata Sanjib.

Nithar Kolahol will be broadcasted on NTV on the 4th day of Eid.

Doi Fuchka
Doi Fuchka is presented under the banner of Impress Telefilms and Channel i. Like every year, they are introducing two newcomers Khairul Basar and Sadia Ayman in this coming-of-age romantic telefilm.

The telefilm has been scripted by Maruf Hossain Sajib with direction from L R Sohel. Doi Fuchka will be broadcasted on Channel-I this Eid.

Doa
Musfiq Farhan is back this Eid with a gangster romance telefilm titled Doa. The telefilm will also star Tanjin Tisha in the lead role.

Doa will portray the story of a local delinquent to get the girl of his dreams. The telefilm will be offered under the banner of Sultan Entertainment. The screenplay of Doa has been developed by Dayal Saha and directed by Mahmudur Rahman Heme.

The telefilm will be available on Sultan Entertainment’s official YouTube channel.

Kodombone Bristy
Kodombone Bristy stars Apurba and Sabila Nur in lead roles. This social drama centers around the couple after their marriage. Due to disabilities, Parul starring Sabila Nur cannot keep up with the house chores. This causes Parul to get severely taunted by her in-laws.

In the face of all the adversaries, Apurba is there to support her. No matter what, the two are determined to make it work and find a forever peaceful life for themselves.

Kodombone Bristy is written by Nasir Khan with direction from Masriqul Alam. The telefilm will be broadcasted on the 4th day of Eid on Channel i.

Mohanagar 2
And finally, the most exciting release for Eid ul Fitr 2023 comes from Hoichoi. After the massive success of Mohanagar 1, people were eagerly waiting for season two. What OC Harun conjures up this time is in everyone’s mind.

Thankfully, the popular Bengali OTT platform Hoichoi has greenlit the series to premiere on the platform this Eid. The main cast including Mosharrof Karim, Fazlur Rahman Babu, Afsana Mimi, and Shamol Mawla all are reprising their roles in season 2.

Ashfaque Nipun is also back with the story, screenplay, and direction for the second season. The series will premiere on 20th April on the official Hoichoi App.