A match made in music: Putul and Reza’s story

October 12, 2025

For Putul Sajia Sultana and Syed Reza Ali, love has always revolved around music. Their little world grew even more beautiful with the arrival of their daughter, Geetoleena. Despite their differences in taste, with Putul finding happiness in regional songs, while Reza leans towards metal. Even their football loyalties differ, as one supports Brazil and the other Argentina. Yet it is this very passion for music that drew Reza from Australia to Dhaka, where he not only found his calling, but also his soulmate. The couple recently visited The Daily Star, complementing each other in coordinated outfits. Between interviews and photographs, they could not stop capturing moments of one another on their phones. Married for four years, they describe themselves as best friends who respect each other's personal space while nurturing their shared world. Although deeply in love, they affectionately address each other using tui, a term that might sound a bit strange to others, but feels natural to them. "I am used to calling her tui because we were friends first. Some might find it odd, but it does not bother us. Our friendship is what makes our relationship special," laughed Reza. Their love story was never about formal confessions. Instead, it unfolded naturally. Their families, especially Putul's mother-in-law, could see that they were made for each other. "We first met at a Valentine's Day programme organised by NTV in Australia. We had two shows in Sydney and Melbourne. Our first interaction was brief, only a one-hour practice session on February 16. I returned to Bangladesh soon after, but we stayed connected on Facebook. For a long time, we did not even exchange a simple hello," recalled Putul. Reza, spontaneous by nature, once had everything. He had a stable banking career and an Australian passport. Yet in 2019, he came back to pursue music in Dhaka. "I made the decision within hours," he shared. "After years in banking, I felt suffocated. I could not give time to my...

Drik stands by Palestine on the two-year anniversary of its occupation

October 09, 2025

In what is now regarded as the deadliest zone for journalists, nearly 300 journalists and media workers have been killed since October 7, Bangladeshi writer and photojournalist Shahidul Alam and activist-health expert Ruhi Akhter set sail with the flotilla to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip. According to the latest reports, Shahidul Alam and fellow activists were detained after entering the red zone, approximately 220 km off Gaza's coast. In these two years, the occupation has killed almost 10% of the Palestinian population. The entire population is experiencing a Phase 5 level of food insecurity and at least 459 people, including 154 children, have died due to starvation. Although the ships carry approximately $110,000 in aid, it is insufficient. The voyagers emphasise that their mission is not only to deliver relief in the face of mass devastation but also to affirm that Palestinians are not forgotten and to challenge world leaders' silence. The last flotilla carrying Greta Thunberg among other activists were intercepted too, and its members were detained by Israeli forces and according to witnesses, they were held captive and treated inhumanely by the soldiers. After two years, the situation remains largely unchanged: Israel continues to contravene international law and to stop civilian-led efforts intended to bring aid to a starving population. On the two-year anniversary, Drik organised a gathering of artistes across multiple disciplines to raise their voices, and their hands in prayer against the injustice in Palestine. These artistes have long opposed every form of oppression, at home and abroad. Drik's solidarity with Palestine, however, started long before October 7. Even as you enter the building, a Palestinian flag and poster greets you for as long as I can remember showcasing Drik's longstanding refusal to back down in the face of injustice. The small room had a large Palestinian flag stamped on the wall, with the ship. Audiences were encouraged...