Rafia Mahmud Prato

Once the soul of grand wedding processions, the Lion Band Party now plays to fading echoes of a livelier past. In Patharghata, Chattogram, Shahid—carrying on his father’s legacy—leads the band through another evening performance. Their music, once in high demand, now drifts through fewer occasions, with seasonal festivals like Durga Puja, elections, and religious gatherings offering rare chances to earn between Tk5,000 and Tk15,000 per show. Photo: Courtesy
Features

The fading notes of our band parties

A group of waymen from Bangladesh Railway repair track defects. Holding the lowest rank in the railway's engineering department, waymen earn meagre salaries, face scarce promotions, limited benefits, and constant work hazards. Photo: Collected
Bangladesh

Wayman: The unsung heroes behind safe rail tracks

Established in 1907, Dr Khastagir School is located on Jamal Khan Road in Chattogram. Photo: Minhaj Uddin
Panorama

Pritilata, Novera's alma mater: Dr Khastgir School— a beacon of women's education

Jahedul Islam, founder and CEO of Horse Riding Training Center, rears a horse named Defender. The training centre, located at Purbachal, is the country’s first private equestrian training institution. The photo was taken recently. Photo: Courtesy
Features

From a child’s dream to country’s first private horse-riding school

Depending on the extent of the injury (physical or mental), it took some people years to recover. Photos: Syed Zakir Hossain
Panorama

Triumph over terror: How Bangladesh came together to end acid violence

Segunbagicha, which was once like a nifty mofussil town, has now evolved into a bustling centre of government, private offices and courts. Photo: Syed Zakir Hussain
Panorama

Segunbagicha: From Dhaka’s cultural capital to a commercial centre

The market now offers a plethora of options, including fibre, metal, yarn, cloth, wood, and plastic bangles, and shoppers can choose from a wide array of 40-50 different designs. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain
Panorama

The immortal chime of churis

As a child, Rubel used to come to the faculty of Fine Arts holding his father’s hand. And Rubel never left, establishing a small shop at the place his father departed from. Photos: Asma Sultana Prova
Panorama

The mystical flute seller outside the faculty of Fine Arts

This house in Lalbagh was demolished to make way for a six-storey apartment building. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain
Panorama

Fading splendours: Tales of heritage homes in Old Dhaka

In Mohammad Jibon’s (the man in the red shirt) family, his mother (who used to work earlier), wife,  younger brother and son are all associated with the circus profession. Photo: Rafia Mahmud Prato
Panorama

Shikaritola: The last performers of a once famous ‘circus village’

The makeup scene has evolved from Tibet Snow and powder to the current era of foundation, concealer, primer, and vibrant eye makeup, with colourful touches of kohl, mascara, and eyeliner. Photo: Studio Ombre
Mode

From Tibet Snow to primer - The transformation of bridal makeover

Known as "Joker Monir" in the circus scene, 49-year-old Mohammad Monir, on his stilts strides across a field at a programme in Dhaka recently. Photo: Courtesy
Features

Tales of Bangladesh’s vanishing circus artists

Sketch: TBS
Panorama

The legacy of the Begum magazine