Avenue T

September 2020 | Dhaka Tribune

GE N Z : W E D I D N ’ T C H O O S E T H I S L I F E

WE'RE JUST LIVING IT

Dhaka Tribune, September 2020, Avenue T | 1
 AvenueT
A production of Dhaka Tribune
September 2020

Editor
Zafar Sobhan

F e at u r e s E d i t o r
Sabrina Fatma Ahmad

Deputy Magazine Editor

Tasfia Huda
Editorial, News & Commercial
Office: FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Av e n u e t T e a m
Shukrabad, Dhaka 1207. Zora Mohsin
Saudia Afrin
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Sumaira Hossain Farin
Website: www.dhakatribune.com
Tanita Hossain
Tarin Fatema
Tanveer Mohiuddin

Contributors
Amreeta Lethe Chowdhury
Azfarul Islam
EDITOR’S Sally Ho

NOTE ON THE COVER Arshae Ahmed

M Zakiul Abrar
Tajkia Mostafa Khadem
Models: Marwan Khadem & Usraat Fahmidah
Dear readers, Photography: Emad B M Hassan
Graphics
We kicked off this year at the cusp of an exciting
Md Mahbub Alam
new decade, filled with rosy promise. The world had
other plans. From forest fires to a global pandemic, and Alamgir Hossain
political upheaval, 2020 has been a gift that keeps giving.
While this year is going to be memorable for everyone, we colour specialist
wanted to take a closer look at the generation that had just Shekhar Mondal
begun to enter mainstream conversations: Generation Z.
The first generation of digital natives, born right in the throes
of a climate crisis, they’re a generation unlike any other. This
CONTENTS Advertisement
issue attempts to try and understand them a Md Shahin Ahsan
little better – from their fashion, to the issues Ishtiaque Mahmud
closest to their heart, and in the context of how • Why sustainable fashion matters (5-7)
they interact with pop culture. • A millennial guide to Gen-Z fashion (8-11)
Production
So come and join us in this shared exploration, • Grabbing Gen-Z’s attention (12-14)
and may the coming months bring us more to Masum Billah
look forward to • That Gen-Z trend (15-16)
• How to make friends and get other people to do the washing up (17-18) C i r c u l at i o n
• The future is fluid (19-20) Masud Kabir Pavel
• I see you (21-23)
• What you should know about howey ou, china’s only teenage climate striker (24-29) Website
Let’s stay in touch!
dt.avenuet@gmail.com • Lights, camera, perfection (30-33) dhakatribune.com
https://www.facebook.com/DhakaTribuneAvenueT/ • Shades of nostalgia (34-37)
@dt_avenuet Email
• The wonderland of parenthood (38-41)
dt.avenuet@gmail.com
• The bts effect (42-45)
2 | Avenue T, September 2020, Dhaka Tribune Dhaka Tribune, September 2020, Avenue T | 3
 fashion
trends

Why
sustainable
fashion matters
In conversation with Anusha Alamgir --
founder of Colors.Dhaka -- about sustainable
fashion choices
by TANITA HOSSAIN

Model:
Marwan Khadem and Usraat Fahmidah

Photos:
Emad B M Hassan

Make-up, styling, and concept:

Sabrina Fatma Ahmad, Tasfia Huda
and Zora Mohsin

Location:

Courtesy
138 East

4 | Avenue T, September 2020, Dhaka Tribune Dhaka Tribune, September 2020, Avenue T | 5
 fashion
trends

If you take a moment to think about it,

you’ll realize that the global climate crisis
was taken into serious consideration when
Great Thundergreta remained stubborn
to not move from her school gate until
someone came forward to listen to the
crisis she recognized. Fast forward to
2020 -- climate activists came forward to
set agendas, platforms were created for
the reduction of fast fashions shopping

“I believe we are in a climate emergency and
that political leaders have failed the younger
generation by ignoring it” -- if you’ve watched
Netflix’s comedy series The Politician this
quote is sure to grab your attention. In this
series, a visionary boy, Paton always aimed
to be the President of the United States. On
his way to presidency, he ran for a seat in the
New York State Senate against an incumbent
majority leader, who has been in the political
party for decades. (Spoiler alert) Paton won!
I don’t
during the #PAYUP movement, and lastly,
businesses have taken up eco-friendly
shopping practices.
All of this, which seemed unattainable think young
even a few years ago, became possible only
due to the determination of young minds.
people should
Now, it’s not only about living cautiously,
but also about shopping cautiously.
care or focus on
As these steps are being taken globally,
Avenue T had the chance of talking about
what they’re
sustainable fashion for Bangladeshi Gen Z,
with Anusha Alamgir, founder of the online
wearing, because
sustainable clothing brand, Colors.Dhaka. there’s so much
At the age of 18, Anusha went to
college in Cincinnati, Ohio. There, she more to life than
that
attended a lecture that made her realize
why sustainability was important. Since
then, she branched out on her own and
researched a lot about sustainability on
YouTube. By the name of Colors.Dhaka, she
landed her sustainable clothing brand in
October, 2019. Other than curating contents
and handling the business, Anusha is also Photos: Courtesy
an architect and an artist, who proceeds to
expand her business in adding furniture, Why should one shop vintage? you were young and not cause any fashion- generally just buy exactly what I need, recycle
art and other forms of useful, artistic and Since vintage clothes are one piece, you related disaster? what I can, and refrain from buying plastic, or
sustainable products. won’t find them ever again. They are made I think young people should dress how they things that come covered in plastic.
to last longer unlike fast fashion, that rapidly want to dress. I don’t think young people
What does the word sustainability mean disintegrates, so you constantly keep buying. should care or focus on what they’re wearing, What are some of the books or series you
to you? Mention some of the reasons Moreover, shopping sustainably is a big because there’s so much more to life than would suggest to people from Gen Z in order
I believe we why the future generation must practice
sustainability.
bonus. that. to help them understand the concept of
sustainable fashion?
are in a climate Sustainability is living in a way that does
not damage the ecosystem or harm any
What are the must-haves in a wardrobe to
ace any style?
Do you maintain a sustainable lifestyle too or
do you only shop for sustainable fashion?
You could watch Hasan Minhaj’s Patriot Act,
episode - The Truth About Fast Fashion,
emergency and other animals in the ecosystem. The coming
generation must practice this now because
A good wardrobe staple is whatever you
already own that fits you properly and you feel
I try to carry my practice of sustainability
into everyday life. I don’t throw away extra
or you could also research the Zero Waste
Movement and lookup Trash Is For Tossers on
that political by being sustainable we will help heal confident and comfortable wearing it. I always napkins, plastic bags, or paper bags. I will YouTube.
the earth. This planet is home to human have an affinity towards black pieces. repack a lot of colour items in plastic that I get
leaders have beings, and the future generation is at the from various things I have bought previously. Is there any book, celebrity, movie,

failed the younger

But how did this college boy win? He won
because of the thousands of votes cast by
the younger generation who believed Paton
would help to make a radical change, that is,
make the country a better place for the next
generation to live in.
This anecdote leads to the primary
reflection: Generation Z is more informed,
and cautious.
forefront of it all. They’re the show runners
of tomorrow. So, climate change will impact
generation by their lives the most.  experience to pull off any kind of outfit,
ignoring it What is the alternative to fast fashion?
You can buy second hand; purchase less, up
cycle the garments that you own, support
and buy from local artists, explore the rural
areas of Bangladesh.
What are the few quick wardrobe hacks
that you have learned from your personal
anywhere?
I’d say straight-legged pants, strong
shoulders, and experimental silhouettes
always look interesting.
What would you have done differently when
I don’t order water at restaurants to avoid
creating plastic waste; instead, I’ll just bring
my refillable bottles. I’m a vegetarian so I
don’t eat meat. The dairy and meat industry
produces a lot of carbon emissions. I don’t use
products that may release harmful chemicals
into the ecosystem. I don’t buy glitter, which
also wreaks havoc on the environment.
There’s a multitude of things I’ll also do. But I
documentary, or even series that you admire
and would help Gen Zs to understand the
concept of sustainable fashion? If yes, then
mention the name.
You could watch Hasan Minhaj’s Patriot
Act episode - The Truth About Fast Fashion,
you could also research the Zero Waste
Movement and look up Trash Is For Tossers
on YouTube. n

6 | Avenue T, September 2020, Dhaka Tribune Dhaka Tribune, September 2020, Avenue T | 7
 Fashion
Youth

A Millennial guide
to Gen Z fashion
Decoding the style of the new kids on
the block
by SABRINA FATMA AHMAD

In the age of social media, there’s no better way to welcome a generation into
public discourse than with memes, and one of the earliest ones that involved
Generation Z (people born between 1995 and 2015) showed a comparison of
teen fashion as it is now, contrasted with the styles sported by their goofy
and idealistic predecessors back in the 90’s. It was almost immediately clear
fro the images in the series that growing up in the age of Instagram has led
to a poised, polished, and put together generation of young people, and as
they stand to form the largest consumer base for the next ten years, it bears
having a better idea of their style. Here are a few hallmarks of Gen Z fashion.

Photo: Matthew Henry

8 | Avenue T, September 2020, Dhaka Tribune Dhaka Tribune, September 2020, Avenue T | 9
 Fashion
Youth

Not your grandpa’s sweats Good practices

A trend that started with late millennials has been adopted by their Having inherited a dying planet, this
successors and given an edgy update, athleisure is definitely enjoying generation, more than others are
a strong moment. While millennials made yoga pants and sweats a particularly concerned with climate
fashion statement out of a need to juggle a genuine effort to incorporate change and the issue of sustainability.
a fitness-based lifestyle into increasingly busy lifestyles, Gen Z have With fast fashion getting roasted not
embraced the trend because of the versatility that athleisure affords, only by the current pandemic but global
taking you from the gym to the classroom to the next hangout without scrutiny in general, the youngsters
outfit changes. Contemporary athleisure has embraced the edginess of are turning towards more sustainable
street and concert wear to become its own thing, and local brands like practices as buying vintage, or opting
Gorur Ghash and Studio MM are leading the way in showcasing this new for clothes swap, and lending their
fashion staple locally. support and money to businesses that
support sustainable practices such as
recycling, upcycling, or plastic-free
options. Brands like Colors of Dhaka
and Broqué are leading the way in these
important sartorial conversations, and
soon, the way we shop for clothes might
change forever.
Fashion is political and never has
this been more apparent than with
the new kids on the block. As we
enter a new decade, it should be very
interesting to see where Generation Z
take us.

Non binary cool

More so than any other generation
before them, Gen Z has grown up with
a greater awareness and sensitivity
about gender, sexuality, race, and
other expressions of identity. They
are far more likely to challenge the
status quo, and rebel against the
pointlessness of gendered fashion and
beauty, and the first expression of this
comes through their clothes. There
is a growing preference for unisex
clothing that allows them the freedom
to express non binary gender identities. Photo: Sarah Pflug

Surprisingly enough, our traditional

ethnic wear does provide ample options
for this (from kurtas to lungis), and
young designers like Tasfia Ahmed and
Musarrat Rahman have showcased
genderless styles on the catwalk, so
hopefully we should soon see more
unisex options on the market.
Photo: MT ElGassier Photo: Frankie Cordoba

10 | Avenue T, September 2020, Dhaka Tribune Dhaka Tribune, September 2020, Avenue T | 11
 fashion fashion
on a budget gen z’s

Grabbing Gen
Z’s attention by SUMAIRA HOSSAIN FARIN

W
hile each industry has been caught up with watching out for the millennial and their
standards of conduct as business opportunities, a totally different age with a new
outlook is quick rising, prepared to push the twenty to 30 years olds away from plain
sight. Welcome to the universe of Generation Z – a detachment of youths conceived
post-1990 and now entering the workforce, applying their preferences and beliefs.
A tag from someone with a following allows a lesser-known brand to be instantly shown to
millions across the online platforms around the world. It’s an obvious fact that the development of
the advanced circle has made it simpler than any other time, for brands to be found easily. Through
the power of Instagram, the social media influence of Generation Z has revolutionized “content” as
a marketing tool.
Among all the brands, there are not many brands that Gen-Z- ers depend on with regards to
everyday fashion. More than expensive brands, they prefer brands that bring trendy sustainable
wear within their budget.
Nike
The retailer secured the top spot for both
favourite apparel and footwear brand among the
teens. The brand also scored highly among men
and women alike in the favourite e-commerce site
category, coming in second only to Amazon. Part
of Nike’s success among teens comes from smart
marketing campaigns and taking bold stances on
social issues.
Nike’s experimentation with design —
including incorporating eco-conscious fabrics
and designs — as well as its concerted effort
around inclusivity like recently featuring plus-size
mannequins for the first time are few things that
grab teens’ attention.
Adidas
Adidas has effectively caught
the eye of young people. This
age group favours comfort
more than anything else. Gen
Z-er’s style explanation is
simply all about comfort and
trend. Adidas began making the
greater part of their streetwear
and shoes depending on the
Gen Z taste. And they are
certain that they made a spot
among young people in this fast
fashion market. Good quality
and fashionable clothes and
accessories are the motivation
behind why Gen Z-ers seem to
prefer Adidas over many other
brands.
Levi’s
Levi’s is the oldest and original denim jeans
brand, and it wants to stay on top with the
next generation of shoppers. According
to Gen Z, cotton denim jeans are the most
sustainable, the most comfortable, reliable,
breathable and the softest and of the highest
in quality. Like every other generation,
Levi’s is Gen Z-er’s favourite brand of
denim jeans.
Vintage vibes delivered in lighter weights
is just what the younger set prefers. After
years of wearing athleisure’s joggers and
yoga pants, most of Gen Z consumers think
lightweight jeans are more comfortable than
heavier weight options.
And in the age of too much information,
denim brands are working on how to
resonate with a generation of constantly
connected digital natives.
Shapeless T-shirts, sweatshirts, dresses,
and other low-key staples like denim appeal
to Gen Z because they’re effortless and
without pretence, which is exactly what they
aspire to be and teen’s favourite.

12 | Avenue T, September 2020, Dhaka Tribune Dhaka Tribune, September 2020, Avenue T | 13
 Wellness
Mental health

H&M
The rise of social media in
the last decade has led brands
to establish a strong digital
presence to attract a growing,
highly influential audience Gen
Z-ers.
H&M is another massive
apparel company that is famous
among Gen Z-ers. Keeping up
with the trend this generation
also cares about sustainable
fashion. And to hook the entire
generation with their brand,
they have worked with recycled
polyester, organic cotton,
organic linen, organic silk,
TENCEL lyocell (made from
sustainably produced wood
pulp), recycled plastic, recycled
glass and recycled silver,
Piñatex (vegan leather made
from pineapple leaves), BLOOM
Foam (foam made from algae)
and Orange Fiber (made from
citrus by-products). By building
online communities, brands
and retailers can access and
influence these users and H&M
is doing the same to keep up
with this generation’s taste by
taking their suggestion.n

That

Photo: Gilbert Bertran

Gen-Z
trend
More than any generation that precedes it, Generation
Z is defined by their struggles with mental health. Is this
something to be taken seriously, or just another ‘new
generation’ thing?
by M Zakiul Abrar
14 | Avenue T, September 2020, Dhaka Tribune Dhaka Tribune, September 2020, Avenue T | 15

C How to make
an a concept live among us as both a
stigma and a trend? Can something
be both a taboo and a “fad”? As it
turns out, at least one concept can
-- “mental health”. How many times have you
come across these two words in your daily
ritual of scrolling through social media, and
found yourself either getting very serious or
very dismissive? It can get confusing when
trying to decide on a personal stance on this
topic. On one hand, you clearly know for a
fact that it isn’t something to be taken lightly.
But then some teenager comes along -- your
friend, sibling, child, student, or whoever in
the “Generation Z” you’re related to -- and
makes a huge fuss about how difficult life is,
how they’re ‘depressed’ and more, and how
this is too much to handle. Annoyed, you
dismiss the teenager in question. Just another
Tuesday.
The question remains -- how much
attention should you give to mental health
then? Are all these adolescents and their
‘depression’, etc. a serious issue, or is it
just what passes for “cool” these days?
Unfortunately, the answer is “both”. So, the
only way out of this confusion is to educate
ourselves a little about mental health, for
once!
Firstly -- stop rationalizing mental
health issues. A very common household
mistake is to try and apply too much of our
personal ‘logic’ to the situation -- to look
for a cause-and-effect relationship, to judge
someone’s suffering against how ‘apparently
perfect’ their life seems to be. A mental health
condition is supposed to be disproportionate,
compared to the apparent trigger. You can
Anything that’s human is
mentionable, and anything that is
mentionable can be more
manageable. When we can talk about our
feelings, they become less overwhelming,
less upsetting, and less scary.”
- Fred Rogers
16 | Avenue T, September 2020, Dhaka Tribune
Wellness
Mental health
We know
enough to
think we’re
right, but not enough
to know we’re wrong
- Neil Degrasse
Tyson
only start to understand how mental health
works when you stop projecting your personal
standards of how much of the Effect a person
“gets” to have, based on how severe the Cause
seems to you. Personal opinions, contrary
to popular belief, are personal! How you
dealt with the struggles in your own life,
what solutions worked for you -- tales such
as these may make for good conversations,
but are hardly ever helpful to someone truly
suffering.
food
kitchen confidential
By now you might be wondering -- how,
then, are we supposed to know what to get
concerned about, and what to write off as
“#justgenzthings”. One of the most reliable
markers is a noticeable change in academic
friends and get
performance, as well as their preferred
hobbies or preferred pastimes. If your little
brother is doing just as ‘fine’ in his exams, and
is just as passionate about PUBG as he always
was...perhaps it’s best not to validate whatever
other people to do
Big Science Word he decided to suffer from
this week!
The sum total incidence of mental health
issues among school children didn’t suddenly
increase because of this new apparent ‘trend’.
the washing up
But please do not assume that these issues
aren’t common. They have always existed
-- yes even in your school, or your parents’,
or your grandparents’. School kids of today
just use newer words to describe the myriad
manifestations of what you probably know as
“boyosh er dosh”.
One in ten schoolchildren suffer from
some form of Anxiety Disorder or the Collaborating on Thai green curry
other. These usually start at home, after
witnessing some form of domestic discord by AZFARUL ISLAM
(not necessarily directed at them), and then
sustained by years of being told how they
aren’t as good as their cousin or neighbour.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder almost always
starts at a very young age, and is attributed
largely to watching different habits in family
members. If you find yourself annoyed and
A
disappointed in your children for these, odds
are they’re not the ones to blame. t the point in my life when this story
begins, “cooking” was a grandiose
Depression, despite its buzzword status, term to describe such endeavours.
is far less common, although rare instances If reading instructions on a pack
do pop up now and then. It does however of Mama noodles and adding sautéed
demand more concern, especially in the latter mushrooms and chicken was the height of
half of the teenage years. my talents then it is easy to envisage why my
Whether you are an elder sibling, a parent, jaw dropped when walking into a Sainsbury’s
a teacher, or even a classmate, getting to know
and understand schoolchildren of today may
after eleven years away from the UK. The
sheer number of ingredients was staggering
seem like a daunting task at times. How about to the untrained, unrefined eye and brimming
you start by simply trying to be their friend? with opportunity - I had not yet developed my
Making a new friend always requires a bit of disdain for a shop not stocking a particular
effort, a little attention. We have been raising
these children telling them how family is
type of soy sauce - and thus did I hurtle down
a specific Trouser Leg of Time, and reality.
their “closest friend”. It’s high time we started
acting like a friend too.
Had I not done so, I would have embraced
student cooking wholeheartedly, and we
would be having a conversation about hard-
boiled eggs. Incidentally, this was also the
period in which I was introduced to Terry Illustration: Azfarul Islam
The writer is an Honorary Medical
Officer, Department of Psychiatry,
Pratchett. Had I not done so, we would be
having a sincere conversation about hard-
DMCH boiled eggs. Fortunately, there is truth and
justice in this world.
Dhaka Tribune, September 2020, Avenue T | 17

Blame lies solely with one of my course-
mates from University to whom (and another)
I pledged to feed Thai green curry. Why I
committed myself to a fairly complex dish as
an inaugural attempt at cooking for others
- outside of family, who are more inclined
to freeze their smiles and continue eating
even if, hypothetically, I had forgotten the
salt (hypothetical apologies to my cousin’s
husband for hypothetically embarrassing
noodles) - is a bit of a fugue.
Why yes, I do indeed identify as a coconut
Recipe and ingredients scribbled on paper
torn from my notebook (otherwise unused
because I had started off studying Computer
Science), the first stage of this culinary path
began. Normally, visits to the supermarket
were a cadence of weekly essentials, and
fending off other starving students to grasp
at reduced-price items around 3AM: either
boring, or unplanned. This time, it was a
journey of purposeful discovery. Is that what
lemongrass looked like, before being boiled to
death in a suspect “Thai” soup at a restaurant
which also inexplicably served Indian food?
Is that what palm sugar looked like, because I
had never seen palm sugar before? And then,
of course, an ultimate show of luxury: coconut
milk easily sourced from a tin, rather than
hacked out of a shell. I would say that was
utterly bougie, but this was the mid-2000s.
Now of course, coconut pulp in its artisanally
hirsute shell is the height of privilege. The
sole missing item was coriander root, which
remains a challenge to this very day. Just a
few hours ago saw me gesticulating wildly to
my family about how we should grow our own
coriander: my mum could use the leaves for
South-East Asian cooking, and I would lay my
claim to the roots. Eyes were rolled, friendly
ribbing was administered.
Back to Sainsbury’s (and the past),
having collected at least a dozen additional
ingredients, including some last-minute
changes, the mindful return to my halls of
residence started. This was time to ponder
about ministrations that lead to delicious
creations, a contemplation of how seemingly
disparate ingredients can form such a
beautiful mélange: a mental mise-en-place,
if you will. In reality, it was an ignoble and
sweaty trek back, with several stops along the
way to give my woefully spindly arms a chance
to rest, an opportunity to massage out the
red furrows cut into my palms from clutching
heavy shopping bags.
As I trudged through the corridors to our
18 | Avenue T, September 2020, Dhaka Tribune
food
kitchen confidential
generously-proportioned kitchen, clearly
emboldened by progress, I met two school
friends of the other friend and blurted out
at them to join us for dinner. Now I had
three Singaporean hall mates as guests;
Singaporeans being noted for their exacting
food preferences and standards. The only
solace I have now is that I made Thai friends
the year after, and not then. Such fear was
utterly unfounded though. Instead of four
mouths to feed (this was dawaat thinking), I
had four reliable, good-natured allies in our
conquest to ease the rumbling of bellies.
Nailed it, literally: a masterclass in self-
deprecation
Channelling our best Adam Smiths, we
promptly divided labour and started to
tackle the various aspects of green curry.
Lacking a mortar, or even its stalwart ally
pestle, our green curry paste was formed the
faux-fashioned way. Armed with a chopping
board apiece, each began the painstaking
process of slicing and chopping through the
aromatics with abysmally student-grade
knives, followed by very haphazard mincing.
Lemongrass, it turned out, is a viciously
tough bastard and requires a good deal of
elbow grease (not one of the ingredients I
assure you). So much so that one of the girls
(Cheryl) slipped her knife in frustration,
ending up with a sound that wasn’t quite
chopped-lemongrass, depositing something
in the growing collection of inexpertly-but-
earnestly diced paste components, something
small and seemingly nondescript. “That was
my nail”, she described. “Looks like someone
is going to find that in their curry!”
Before the words could be formed in my
mouth, my friend Samir uttered them, his
now-familiar self-deprecation in full force:
“It’s going to be me.” And that’s when I had
personal confirmation of the truth that
University is the place where you find your
lifelong friends. (It was also he who is to
blame for introducing me to Pratchett). With
xtras
Spotted
the preparation stage winding down, and a
mixture that could arguably be considered a
The
paste once glasses were taken off (my index The meme, since its inception, has been
is around minus-five), it was time to start inherently transphobic, used to mock people’s
cooking. journeys with gender and transition. As
Jeff Eaton points out in the Medium article
You’re just jealous of my hue “You’re Not An Attack Helicopter, You’re
future is
Green curry is a beautifully versatile dish, Just An Asshole”, “no-one who posts that
working just as well with vegetables as with meme actually feels that they are an attack
proteins. We were going for a classic variant, helicopter. They just think it’s hilarious
because they can use the magic words that
marginalized groups do, and demand people
fluid
‘play along.’” This false equivalence became a
default argument because it was what many
cisgender people thought of queer gender
identities -- that individuals identifying
differently than man and woman were
simply playing pretend, disregarding fully
that gender and sexual orientations are not
whimsical choices that people make.
by AMREETA LETHE CHOWDHURY In the time that has passed since then, the
late-Millennial meme has withered, but it is
with handfuls of bite-sized chicken breast Up until a couple of years ago, the “I identify as an attack helicopter” meme possible that its dwindling usage is owed less
marinated in soy, sugar, and cornflour (my was still making the rounds on mainstream social media. What started to the transient nature of memes and more to
current self tuts at this), initially stir-fried in out as a Reddit copypasta soon became the go-to meme for whenever a
a smoking wok. Set aside and left to cool, the conversation was veering towards the possibility that -- shock, horror! --
bougie coconut milk was brought to boil in the there may be genders other than man and woman.
poultry-infused oil. Once bubbling, the spice
concoction was added, steeping the creamy
curry in sharp, citrusy, and bright flavours.
(Future refinements would involve frying the
paste until oils and aroma are released, before
slowly incorporating coconut milk). It was a
shame that the colour verged on grey, but the
smell was gorgeous. Patting ourselves on our
collective backs, we sat down with spoonfuls
of rice (alas, not Jasmine), and collectively
shrieked: our generosity with piquant bird’s
eye chillies wreaked retribution. This was
followed by laughter, volume raised higher
when Cheryl asked if someone had found her
nail yet. Sparkling company notwithstanding,
I also discovered one of the most unfettered
joys of cooking with others: everyone eagerly
participated in the washing up afterwards
with little prompting (thanks, folks).
As I write this, messages fly back and
forth with Samir, trying to bottom out
some obscure details of an event that took
place nearly 14 years ago. He wonders
how I remember all this, to which I simply
reply, “Food was involved”. To that day I
was challenged to make food outside of my
comfort zone by one of my closest friends:
it inspired me to keep pushing my culinary
boundaries, and to seek that inimitable feeling
of quiet camaraderie and good humour only
possible when cooking together.n
Dhaka Tribune, September 2020, Avenue T | 19

an increasing tolerance for gender diversity,
particularly among Gen Z. Generation Z,
succeeding Millennials, began coming into
their late teens and adult years around 2015-
16, in a time when online discourse and media
representation surrounding queer gender
identities was growing increasingly positive,
and Millennials had already begun challenging
and dismantling prevalent structures of
cisnormativity and the gender binary.
What this positive representation has
done best, perhaps, is offer safe spaces for
young people to explore gender outside the
limits of the binary, and often even transcend
boxes previously used to label non-cis
gender identities. To illustrate, a New York
Times article, “The Human Experience is
Infinite”, observed that “for the generation of
Americans who are coming of age amid social
media, marriage equality, and a growing
understanding of gender fluidity, today’s
descriptors are far more wide-ranging. These
days, many teenagers view gender identity as
existing on a spectrum.”
When thought of as a spectrum, the over-
50 genders available at the end of a Google
search really begin to make much more sense.
Any new point you select on the spectrum can
be a different identity, varying by a little or a
lot from all the other points on the spectrum,
and therefore amounting to a nearly infinite
number of possible identities. When paired
with other identity factors, such as race,
religion, sexuality, and the individual human
experience, the combinations available really
are endless.
However, despite this general positive
trend, it is not one that is uniform across
the board. Even in the West, some countries
embrace these concepts more easily than
others. For example, in England, where
attitudes towards queerness have been
comparatively positive for a longer time,
Gen Z are not significantly more progressive
than their previous generation; in the US,
however, where conservativeness about
gender presentation is more widespread,
Generation Z embracing the gender spectrum
seems markedly more progressive. And
this difference only becomes more notable
as we move eastward towards the Indian
subcontinent.
Modern Western constructions of gender
and sexuality aren’t always, or nearly ever
for that matter, translatable to our local
contexts, and so the gendered experience
of Gen Z in Bangladesh does not usually
correspond with the West’s. There is a
20 | Avenue T, September 2020, Dhaka Tribune
xtras
Spotted
significant portion of Gen Z in Bangladesh
who have come into teenage and adulthood
surrounded by technology, and therefore are
highly influenced by the prevalent Western,
and particularly American media; their
experiences with gender expression are more
likely to mirror those of Western teenagers.
In the mostly women-dominated beauty
influencer industry in Bangladesh, there has
been a gradual increase of young makeup
artists who identify as men, but are willing to
step past gender norms and explore non-
It’s
important to
remind ourselves
that the
revolution is
underway. It’s not
complete. The
present is a state
of flux
binary gender presentation. Other media
trends such as the rising popularity of kPop
have also contributed to young men being
less willing to have their gender expression
be dictated by gender roles and toxic
masculinity. Even local social media discourse
has more often than not identified with
foreign concepts and theory surrounding this
deviation from cis-normativity. Chiefly, this is
a trend observable among the upper-middle
class youth.
Even without these emerging global trends,
however, gender non-conformity existed
and was accepted in subcontinental culture,
particularly in local art and fashion, long
before it was condemned and subsequently
normalised in the West. The subcontinent
even has one of the oldest gender diverse
communities in the world -- the Hijra.
Despite this, a primary reason that non-cis
Xtras
Entertainment
gender expression might seem new or alien
to us now is because it was greatly villified
and often criminalised by the British Raj,
the effects of which continue to stigmatize
these communities today. Colonial baggage
has ensured that a community that was once
revered and given near-sacred status is, even
now, greatly marginalized by people who
retain colonial ideas of gender and sexuality
— particularly the middle and upper classes.
Fortunately, the present has seen a greater
number of young people willing to not only
advocate for their own gender rights, but also
work across class boundaries and engage with
community work to elevate the living and
working conditions of underprivileged gender
minorities.
However, the young generation cannot all
be lumped into a progressive cohort. There
continues to be backlash on all fronts. The
Gen Z middle and upper classes face social
backlash against their explorations into
non-conformity from both older generations
and their peers: Young men venturing into
makeup or androgynous fashion are pelted
with comments calling them “gay” and
“Hijra”, thrown around as if they are insults.
For young queer and Hijra activists in the
field, the situation is even direr. Death
threats and the bleak, horrific precedent
of fundamentalist action against these
activists looms alarmingly over each step
taken forward. There is still much work to be
done before toxic, limiting gender roles are
effectively abolished and the gender binary is
dismantled.
As Phillip L Hammack writes in
“Understanding Gen Z”, “It’s important
to remind ourselves that the revolution is
underway. It’s not complete. The present is
a state of flux.” Gen Z advocates for greater
gender diversity, to varying degrees, both
here and across the globe. In Bangladesh,
I see you
there is still a precarious balance between
overwhelming extremist backlash and the
slow, progressive work that young people are
engaging in.
If history has ever served as precedent,
however optimistic it may be, we move
forward with the belief that rigid and
oppressive social constructs will not persist,
and younger generations will increasingly
take the helm in the fight against them.
However long it takes, we will make headway Representation in entertainment:
towards a future where there is collective
appreciation for difference, and not Inclusion and diversity for the youth
conformity. However long it takes, the future
will be fluid.n by ARSHAE AHMED
Dhaka Tribune, September 2020, Avenue T | 21
 Xtras
Entertainment
T
he fight for representation isn’t
new, it’s just stronger. Thanks to
social media, it’s become easier
to speak up for diversity and
against the lack thereof quite directly to the
very content creators who are sometimes
responsible for the feelings of frustrations
and that of joy. How else do hashtags like
#RepresentationMatters turn things around
for an entire industry? A hashtag has had the
ability to not only start a conversation but
also turn that into impactful action. Because
representation truly does matter, and the
sooner content creators learn that, the better;
because the future and even the present, is in
the hands of those who care about inclusion.
A very recent study conducted on audience
between the ages of 14 and 24, evenly split
between men and women in America who
come from various ethnic backgrounds,
showcased that 63% young people finally feel
22 | Avenue T, September 2020, Dhaka Tribune
You see, great
shows aren’t always
just about the
cinematography or
the score, and it’s
certainly not limited
to the story itself
that they are represented quite accurately
these days in movies and TV shows. What may
impact you even more is the fact that, strong
representation has helped 53% of respondents
in transforming their own perspectives in
regards to self-esteem and acceptance through
their favorite shows and movies. These very
young people -- who have struggled to feel
heard in mass media, see themselves on big
screens, and accept themselves for the longest
time -- have also expressed how the presence
of diverse characters is much higher today
than even just a few years ago.
You see, great shows aren’t always just
about the cinematography or the score,
and it’s certainly not limited to the story
itself. You can write the greatest story in the
world, but what gives it shape and depth?
The characters. And if all the characters
are bringing the same experiences, thought
processes, backgrounds, privilege or struggles
to the story, what happens to the story itself?
Where does it grow? How does it intrigue
you? What makes the audience stay up
late into the night, discussing theories and
different aspects of the characters, and the
shift in the storyline they expect to see? If
there’s no diversity, who will buy the poster
of their favourite character who finally makes
the audience feel included, who becomes a
hero to an entire generation? Sure, Black
Panther was ‘meant for success’ because it’s
a Marvel film, but is that where the story
ended? This one movie created an entire
generation of superheroes of color, created
an undying spirit of honouring the legacy of
the late Chadwick Boseman; this movie is why
the next generation of actors will not settle
for roles of where diversity is a quota that
needs to be filled. And the truth about diverse
representation is that it is never limited to
oneself -- it helps one to grow, learn, and
empathize. That very survey showcased that
56% of respondents felt that stories don’t
necessarily need to come from the very
countries of the audience, while 53% of them
shed light on how inclusive stories have
helped them understand the perspectives of
people from different backgrounds. In doing
that, it has helped them to take a step back
and realize that this world belongs to us all,
and that we all have a role to play in terms of
acceptance. There’s no superiority, there’s
only acceptance.
It’s true, isn’t it? Representation isn’t for
gratification; it’s to learn, grow, and start
conversations. Black-ish is one of the most
popular sitcoms these days, being one of the
very few to tell the story of a black family --
and there’s nothing the show doesn’t touch
upon, especially in light of being a person
of color. They’ve talked about postpartum
depression, police brutality, racism: You
name it! And these conversations help teach
those who don’t know enough, who feel that
there’s not enough material to learn from,
learn in the best possible way. A show like
Sex Education has basically played the role
of parents and teachers for teenagers who
have had many unanswered questions. Not
only has it taught to some extent, but has also
helped create a space in homes to start these
conversations. When They See Us, one of my
all time favourites, has taught the entire world
about systemic racism and a flawed justice
system. Never Have I Ever trended on Netflix
for days because South Asians finally felt
seen and heard, minus the typical stab at the
clothes and food. Can you believe there’s an
actual show, Ramy, about a Muslim family and
their perspective while in the west, which has
garnered quite the critical acclaim? Why did
it matter when Crazy Rich Asians premiered?
How did it make you feel that there’s a whole
world in Asia that you had no idea about?
Nothing helps a young, impressionable
person to accept and believe in themself quite
like representation in mass media. A little girl
dreams of saving the world when she sees
Captain Marvel; a woman in a hijab feels like
she can also survive in a world unfamiliar
to her when she watches Skam; a little boy
dreams of fighting for justice when he watches
13th. And that is just a tiny dust of all that
representation of diversity can help achieve.
Dhaka Tribune, September 2020, Avenue T | 23
 Xtras
Activism

WHAT YOU SHOULD

KNOW ABOUT
HOWEY OU, CHINA’S
ONLY TEENAGE
CLIMATE STRIKER
by SALLY HO

M
eet Howey Ou, the 17-year-old girl who is the only teenage climate striker in China (there are other activists,
but Ou is the only public striker). Every Friday, Howey takes to the streets to publicly demand the Chinese
government to take climate action and lower emissions in order to avert a climate catastrophe. Since she began
her activism a year and a half ago, Ou has been told she will no longer be able to continue her studies at her high
school in Guilin. Despite run-ins with the authorities and ongoing challenges, Ou is pushing ahead as China’s lone climate
striker with unwavering commitment. We recently sat down (virtually) with Ou, who candidly shared with us what she’s been
getting up to, her mission and what’s in store for the future.

24 | Avenue T, September 2020, Dhaka Tribune Dhaka Tribune, September 2020, Avenue T | 25
 Xtras
Activism

1 4 6
It all started when Ou She is barred from Ou has faced interrogation They want to control people.
learned about
veganism
school because of
her activism
from the authorities for her
climate activism
They don’t like things that
they can’t fully control and
this kind of civil disobedience
When Ou was little, she felt like she always cared for the environment After protesting at the government building in Guilin, Ou found makes people aware about the
government’s climate inaction.
but knew little more than to turn off the lights when leaving the room “My school decided to stop me from striking after I began gaining herself under interrogation from security guards for hours. Having
and to save as much water and energy as possible. “I had little idea international coverage and garnered support for my actions,” Ou told experienced this, the teenager is now taking practical steps to
about what climate change was and really only heard of it when the Green Queen. “The public security bureau would call my school and protect herself, from learning cybersecurity and encryption for her
Paris Agreement was signed in 2015,” Ou told Green Queen. “But later my parents, and ask them to urge me to go back to school. So they electronic devices to contacting lawyers in case of serious situations.
on when I reached the eighth grade, I started to learn about veganism felt a lot of pressure and told me if I didn’t end my climate activism, I

9
and how it was more planet-friendly.” wouldn’t be allowed back.”

She sees some hope in

growing climate

2 5 7
consciousness
She knew she had to do But she She believes that
something after learning about doesn’t miss suppression is
multiple environmental issues it unavoidable

She laments that over her 18 months of climate striking, there

It ultimately took Ou one full year to switch to a vegetarian diet (and
she’s since convinced her parents to go vegetarian too!), and it was
around then when she noticed the problem of plastic ocean pollution
as well as how the climate crisis will affect human civilisation.
“I realised so many things we were doing in our daily lives were
harming the planet. It was all these different issues that made me
realise I had to do something.”
Despite not being able to return to school, Ou is steadfast in her
mission to continue striking. “No, I don’t miss school because what
I’m doing right now is necessary,” she said. “China doesn’t need one
more climate scientist - there are so many and all of them say the
science is clear. What China does need is one more climate activist
to push for change, for action from the government and from the
public.”
While learning to encrypt her devices and using a VPN to
communicate with journalists are some practical steps that Ou has
been taking, she sees the interrogation and other suppression tactics
employed against her as a part of the process when it comes to her
activism. “I’ve been learning and reading more about the theory
behind non-violent civil disobedience and I can see that I must face
suppression from the authorities and focus on the demands to get my
message across,” explained Ou. “Over time, people will realise that
has been a shallow base of support in China. However, things are
beginning to change, she says. “There wasn’t much support here
in Guilin, but recently, when I was out on the streets, I got some
encouragement from other locals and students. I was surprised.” She
has also received a greater show of support for her work from abroad,
and she has since kept in touch with others via encrypted messaging
apps.

10
this treatment is unfair.”

3
China doesn’t need one Greta Thunberg
Ou is the only one in
more climate scientist – is one of her

8
China fighting to limit heroes
global heating there are so many and all Ou believes the Chinese
of them say the science is clear. government is afraid of rising
awareness
What China does need is one more
The 17-year-old teenager from Guilin is China’s only climate striker.
Every single Friday, she takes to the streets to advocate for climate
climate activist to push for change, When asked about who has inspired her activism, Ou was quick to
spotlight Greta Thunberg, the famous Swedish teenage activist who
action. Every weekend, Ou hosts an offline climate documentary
screening and meet-up.
for action from the government “They want to control people. They don’t like things that they can’t
spearheaded the Fridays for Future climate strikes. She also noted
that Al Gore has been a great motivator and role model.
and from the public. fully control and this kind of civil disobedience makes people aware
Source: Howey Ou about the government’s climate inaction,” Ou told Green Queen.
“They don’t want more people putting pressure on them to take

Howey Ou
climate action because their current priority is only on economic
growth and development.”

26 | Avenue T, September 2020, Dhaka Tribune Dhaka Tribune, September 2020, Avenue T | 27
 Xtras
Activism

11 14 16
Ou believes that non-violent She Everyone needs to reflect on
civil disobedience is their relationship with nature,
is powerful fearless she believes

“The way I want to convince governments to stabilise the global
temperature rise to 1.5 degrees celsius is through non-violent civil
disobedience,” shares the teenage climate striker. “There have been
many examples of movements following non-violent principles
showing success before, so I believe this is the way to turn the
situation around.”
“I’m not scared at all about what I’m doing now,” Ou says in a bold
tone. “Although sometimes, I feel like there isn’t much hope and I am
pessimistic about the lack of change. But I know that this is the right
thing to do and if I can inspire others to care about the planet, then I
feel like I am making a difference and make change happen.”
Ou knows that not everyone can take to the streets, but she thinks
that everyone can still contribute in their own ways and begin to
make a difference for the planet. “Take the time to sit down, close
your eyes, and rethink your connection to nature. Reflect about how
nature supports us, gives us all our resources and nourishes us.
That’s what should motivate us to protect it.” All of us will
face challenges,
but if we band

12 15 17
She keeps in touch with Zhao Ou wants the Chinese She wants all the climate together and share our
Jiaxin, the other climate
activist in China
government to listen to the
science
strikers to support
each other
experiences to support
each other, we’ll be
strong enough to keep
Zhao Jiaxin is an environmental activist in China who has worked The young climate striker knows best when it comes to the doing what we’re doing.
extensively with local climate NGOs and Greenpeace, and has set If there was only one thing she wishes the authorities would take challenging – and often lonely – road when it comes to demanding
up a student-led organisation to raise awareness on the climate heed to, it would be climate science. “They need to understand what change through protest. But she believes that no matter how difficult
emergency in his final year of university. Ou is connected with Zhao,
and they continue to fight to protect the planet.
the scientists are saying. There are massive transitions in society
needed to tackle the climate crisis.”
the uphill battle is, the young strikers of the world can persevere
with each other’s help. “All of us will face challenges, but if we band
Howey Ou
together and share our experiences to support each other, we’ll
be strong enough to keep doing what we’re doing,” she tells Green
Queen.

13 18
They need to
Ou doesn’t Ou won’t stop until
live at home understand what her climate demands
anymore the scientists are met

are saying. There are

massive transitions in
At the young age of 17, Ou has already left home and is currently living
in an international youth hostel. “It’s temporary, but I have to do
society needed to tackle We asked her about her personal goals or plans for the future, but Ou
doesn’t have any – yet, at least. “I’m not stopping. I will strike every
All images courtesy of Howey Ou. This piece originally
appeared in Green Queen. It is being published by
this to have more freedom to do my climate activism,” Ou tells Green
Queen. “I’m able to focus on advocating for change, I can be more
the climate crisis. single Friday and host climate documentary screenings until China
aligns with the Paris Agreement,” she said. “I think that’s probably
Avenue T as part of Covering Climate Now, a global
journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the
efficient and productive and connect with more people in the eco going to be a long time. Maybe one day, I want to make a trip around climate story
movement.” China and meet everyone who is fighting for the planet.”
Howey Ou

28 | Avenue T, September 2020, Dhaka Tribune Dhaka Tribune, September 2020, Avenue T | 29

Lights, camera,
perfection
by SUMAIRA HOSSAIN FARIN
A
photographer gives life to an
image so that the world can find
meaning in it. A few pictures
can create a sensation. A
photographer is responsible for creating
the attraction and connection between a
picture and the audience. They capture
your attention at first glance with the
images they create. Their task is to work
with distance, to take measures, to re-
arrange space, to find an equilibrium
between here and there, and ultimately
to seek out the impossible meanings of a
place and capture the feelings of a person
or a situation. And mostly they are known
as storytellers. They hold immense power
to present their thoughts or the reality of
this world with their pictures.
30 | Avenue T, September 2020, Dhaka Tribune
xtras
spotlight
In this storytelling business, which is
rapidly booming, there are very few names
known for their unique style. And Emad
B M Hassan is another name you need to
know who gives profound meaning to all
his work and creates magic with his sense
of lights.
Photography has always been a passion
for Emad, but around the year 2014, he
decided to give life to his dream. He
commonly goes by the name EmTree. He is
also known as a digital content creator and
a marketing consultant. As a creative with a
business degree (and a not-so-mild coffee
addiction), he also founded Studio Baklava,
a creative entity, which is a collaboration of
two other fellows, Galib Hasan and Farhan
Shakir.
I We recently got the chance to talk to this
believe the brilliant mind behind the camera.
creative field How did you come to this field?
Photography has always been a passion
is a platform of mine for as long as I can remember.
made for
However, I got into this field professionally
in 2014, when I was in the second year of
collaboration
university, just a little while after I bought
my first professional camera. I was asked
by Farhad, one of my best friends, for some
help with a video project and I figured
why not? It might be fun. Just like that,
one project led to another, and another,
so on and so forth, and before I knew it, I
started falling in love with the profession.
I realized that this is the career path I
wanted to pursue at a certain shoot where
we were out in the field for about twelve
hours and moved all around Dhaka; it
was at the end of that day when I had an
epiphany: “If I had to do this all over again
the next day, I would, in a heartbeat.”
Are you a self-taught photographer or did
you study photography?
Since that moment, my goal has been to
enhance my skills and solidify my style.
Combining my knowledge in Marketing
with my skills as a photographer and
cinematographer, I aim to produce content
from short films, to educational materials.
I believe the creative field is a platform
made for collaboration and creation, and
I aim to help others build their creative
presence as well.
What did you enjoy shooting the most and
why? Do you have any specialty in this
field?
After over five years in the field, teaching
myself as much as possible, I’ve developed
a soft side towards food photography and
cinematography, if I had to pick. Food is
another thing that has a special place in
my heart. This fascination towards food
photography grew even more after I met
up with Elma, Sameera, and Shafquat. We
combined our talents and formed Order
of Knives, which was a food blog full of
original content aiming to spread the love
and knowledge of all things food. Along
with many others, I owe immense gratitude
to these three people for my growth in
this career. Even though my specialty lies
in food photography and videos I’ve also
pivoted towards commercial, fashion, and
event-based content.
Do you have any special
equipment which is a
must for the shoots you
conduct?
Well, I can’t shoot without
my camera. This sounds
very clichéd but the most
important thing isn’t what
gear you use in a shoot.
These are simply tools
that you use; the thing
that needs to be worked
on is the creative vision.
Something a lot of creators,
Dhaka Tribune, September 2020, Avenue T | 31
 xtras
spotlight

Do you consider yourself a detail-oriented

person?
I do believe I’m a fairly detail-oriented
person in some cases, which turns into
a need to control my creative process.
This, however, comes with its downsides,
because I tend to get frustrated when
things don’t go as planned.

‘The most
How would you describe your
photography style?

important tip for It’s a little difficult to specify my style into

one attribute. I feel like I experiment with

you to maintain a different styles in different projects. One

concept I follow is “less is more”. When you

good health is t put too many things into the composition,

it takes away your attention from the
make sure that main subject. Of course, this is a relative
concept.
you are having You do both photography and
enough sleep at cinematography. How do you define these is the best way to land clients. Promoting

I try my best
two things? yourself is heavily looked over; people need
night’ Photography and cinematography are to see what you can do to hire them. I’ll

to not restrict
creative outlets for me. It allows me to try admit this is a skill that I’m still working
out different styles and methods in the on improving as much as possible. The
process without repercussions. It lets me current issues in getting work are heavily
related to the pandemic, myself to a specific
but in general, there’s
a saturation in the type of work, and
Photos: Emad B M Hassan
creator field which
provides extremely
instead I do my best
including myself, face from time to time work. Not just photographers though, I’ve
competitive pricing.
Matching those prices
to explore as many
is gear acquisition syndrome (aka GAS).
Innovation is unstoppable and, likewise,
been a fan of the works of Roger Deakins,
Wes Anderson, Edgar Wright, Matthew If I had to
isn’t always possible,
and since clients want
different styles of
the urge to buy more lenses and lights is Libatique, Peter McKinnon, Daniel Schiffer,
do this all over
to save money, they work as I can
unavoidable as well. and many other creative individuals. prefer going for cheaper

What details do you believe make the best Amongst your work, which one is your again the next prices.

photograph?
“What makes the best photograph” is a
matter of perspective. There is no right or
wrong answer to this, because it depends
on the creator.
Which professional photographers
have influenced you, and how do you
incorporate their techniques in your
work?
Some of the first few photographers I
was influenced by were Steve McCurry,
Ansel Adams, and Christopher Anderson
-- but as I was exposed to more creators
in the field, there are so many more I
am inspired by. I’ve tried to incorporate
different aspects of their processes into my
favourite?
Amongst my photography projects, one of
my favourite pieces of work is the neon
bridal photoshoot I did with Avenue T, and
from my audio-visual work, one of the
works I’m most proud of is the one I made
for the Uthao Campaign from Pathao Ltd.
At the end of the day, though, being able to
work with the people from Studio Baklava,
who I’m so close to, is a reward in itself.  a sense of accomplishment and “pride”
Do you focus on any specific subject? How
would you describe your comfort zone?
I try my best to not restrict myself to a
specific type of work, and instead I do my
best to explore as many different styles
of work as I can. I feel like exploring and
day, I would, in a
heartbeat
experimenting is the best way to
understand one’s skills and improve on
them. YouTube tutorials go a long way in
learning new skills as well.
do whatever pleases me in the project, and
explore infinite possibilities.
How do you connect with your clients?
And what kind of difficulties do you face?
I think connecting with clients is a
universal complexity. Personal connections
do help a lot in getting work, but
networking with potential clients, and
showing them what you can do for them
What’s the most
difficult and the most
rewarding aspect of
being a photographer?
The best part of being
a photographer is
capturing the essence
of a subject and seeing my creative vision
instilled into a photograph. It gives me
to see a photograph that I’m happy with.
The most difficult part, on the other hand,
is directly correlated to the best part.
Capturing that vision into a photograph
is much harder than it seems and as I’ve
mentioned before, if things don’t go as
planned, it ignites frustration.
Any particular advice you got in life that
made your photography journey a bit
easier?
One of the best pieces of advice I try to
follow is: “If your creativity is driven by a
desire to get attention, you are never going
to be creatively fulfilled” - Joseph Gordon
Levitt.
Where do you see yourself in the next five
years?
For the most part, I’ve been a “go with
the flow” sort of person. I’ve dealt with
the situations I’ve faced as they come, so
I don’t have a particular answer for where
I’ll be five years time. As long as I’m still
self-sufficient, I’m good.n

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Art therapy
Shades of nostalgia
by ZORA MOHSIN
M
y beloved Dhaka -- a city of
busy people, busier streets,
and a whole lotta noise. Love it
or hate it, there’s beauty to be
found in even the smallest of corners, should
you pause to look. And that’s exactly what
DhakaYeah aims to do with their art.
With a group of anonymous illustrators
who prefer that their art speak for itself,
DhakaYeah is on a mission to showcase this
boisterous city how they see it. Playing on
elements of nostalgia, their illustrations
portray the colourful nature of the city,
adding a little bit of magic to the little
moments. With weeks, sometimes months, of
research put into each illustration, DhakaYeah
plays on the city-dwellers’ sense of nostalgia,
highlighting the deep-rooted traditions and
cultural values that we hold so dearly. We at
Dhaka Tribune got the opportunity to talk to
the team about the craft, the critiques, and
the future of DhakaYeah.
Mr. Fox’s Wedding
34 | Avenue T, September 2020, Dhaka Tribune
Let’s begin with an update. What’s new with
DhakaYeah? How has the ongoing pandemic
impacted/inspired your recent works?
The last couple of months have been extremely
busy, especially from the logistical end of things.
Recently, we launched DhakaYeah’s very own
e-commerce store www.dhakayeah.com, which
sells art prints of different sizes and ships all
across the globe. Interestingly, the reality is that at
one point, after drawing for years, you realize you
have turned into a company. It’s not only about
creating artworks but having them printed and
shipped to the consumers, and trying to expand at
the same time by learning a lot of tools and secrets
of the trade takes a good amount of time, and you
constantly learn from your mistakes.
Throughout the last couple of months
DhakaYeah has created a lot of originals along
with commissions; more so than any other time
period ever. However, not having exhibitions or
not being able to physically display work has had
some negative impacts, but DhakaYeah was always
very much online focused from the get go, so we
The dancer suppose that helped.
Could you explain how the illustration industry
works here in Bangladesh?
It’s almost non-existent. To better understand the
scenario, we can take a look at how it works for an
illustrator in the countries where there is a vibrant
illustration industry.
Art directors working for magazines, advertising
agencies, book publishing companies, or graphic
design companies commission illustrators to
bring an idea to life in the respective styles of the
illustrators. It could be anything from a book cover
to a soap packaging.
The question is why do they give the job to
an illustrator? It’s a combination of delivering a
message and creating a visual impact. How many
times have you ended up buying one product
simply because you found the packaging of a very
mundane everyday item beautiful?
Unfortunately, a lot of companies in Bangladesh
still don’t think this matters; decisions based on
how good the “art” or “design” is are still taken by
the marketing managers or the upper management,
but not an experienced art director. You wouldn’t
expect your dentist to do your accounts, now, would
you?
That leaves a lot of illustrators with only a few
options, like creating prints or originals to sell to a
consumer or take private commissions.
Tea is Life
Dhaka Tribune, September 2020, Avenue T | 35

How does one become an illustrator? What
are the relevant steps they can take to be a
good one?
Always show up and do the work -- there is
no way around it. Hard work is the only thing
that pays off. If you think you’re good, don’t
stop there; try to improve your skills in the
early years. “Success” in this field usually
comes in layers, and is not defined like it is
in many other industries. You have to keep
on creating work, forgetting every kind of
inhibition without being too self critical.
And throughout your formative years, try to
seek your creative voice, because once you
find that, everything falls into place. This is
something a lot of illustrators struggle with,
and many can’t find a sense of direction. If
you’re not able to find one, do not panic; keep
on searching, and keep on drawing.
Illustrators are problem solvers more
than anything else. Giving life to a concept is
what illustrators do, and this requires a ton of
research. Research what the best illustrators
from around the world are upto on online
platforms like Instagram and Pinterest. How
are their styles different? Why is their work
good? This is the part that one cultivates, and
this is how one illustrator becomes different
from the other.
No matter how much “talent” one has,
if you don’t cover the base with enough
knowledge and relevant work, you won’t be
able to go that far.
However, the future is not all bleak and
frustrating for an illustrator. Don’t forget, you
36 | Avenue T, September 2020, Dhaka Tribune
Xtras
Art therapy
The haunted Lalbagh
live in the age of the internet, there is nothing
stopping you from emailing your portfolio to
an art director in Berlin and land a project.
People already understand the concept of
working from a remote location, and this
pandemic has taken it to the next level. All you
have to care about is being good at what you
do, and reaching out to relevant people.
You’ve mentioned, in the past, the use of
There have been some comments about some of DhakaYeah’s work having a Western feel to it,
and how it may not represent the majority’s perception of/experiences in the city. While art in
all forms is open to interpretation and can/should start relevant conversations, do you have
anything to say in response to this particular critique? How do you ensure a balance in the
representation of all classes of people?
The answer to this question in some way lies in the previous answer. Where concepts like magic
realism dominate the space, realism automatically takes the back seat. It probably does not If you had to imagine a post-pandemic
represent the majority’s perceptions, and perhaps that’s what’s working for DhakaYeah. The Dhaka, DhakaYeah style, what would it look
majority probably does not think about art as much, or probably don’t know what to expect from like?
it. But one thing is for certain -- if you are making something for the masses, it has to be crafted
in a way that is meant to please everyone, just like pop music or commercial cinema. There is not If the pandemic is over, it should pretty much
enough room for experiments; and why does everyone have to do the same thing to begin with? be the same as before. Everyone will forget
Moreover, is it necessary for everyone to be comfortable with art all the time? how it was and try to move on, and perhaps
DhakaYeah is not trying to ensure any balance in the representation. It’s almost impossible to DhakaYeah will do the same.
go on making something and constantly think about representation or pleasing everyone.
We’ve seen artists like Farooque Bhai
featured in your work, such as in the recent
piece called “Haat”. How was the experience
of including a very specific face, as opposed
to the usual, more generic, imagined faces?
Farooque bhai has been trying to create a
world that is close to what DhakaYeah is trying
to create. Both the entities are part of this
new age movement that is here to disrupt the
mainstream. There probably isn’t a word for
what we are trying to do here, but we believe
there should be one. Is it too early to call it
a movement? Maybe. But a lot of people are
trying to experiment with the crafts they love
with the skills they have, and trying to bring
about a real change in the scene.
What’s in store for DhakaYeah in the future?
Is there ever a concern of running out of
stories to tell?
DhakaYeah is working a lot -- there are two
books in the making, an online art platform,
and a lot of original illustrations.
The concern is not running out of ideas,
but the interest to create might just run out
one day.
Bringing a fresh perspective of the city
magic realism in your art. How much of to the table, DhakaYeah successfully makes
DhakaYeah’s style is inspired by it? What its audience fall back in love with Dhaka.
other styles are you, as a brand, influenced Whether all their artwork is relatable to
by? everyone or not, there’s surely a delightful
new story to look out for in each of the
Magic realism has influenced the content, illustrations.
for sure. Magic realism and other forms of
escapist philosophies have heavily influenced Check out their work at https://www.
the artworks, along with melancholia, instagram.com/dhakayeah/ and https://www.
nostalgia, and romanticism. facebook.com/DhakaYeah
The Haat
Dhaka Tribune, September 2020, Avenue T | 37
 xtras
Parenting

Getting to know Sarah’s Wonderland:

In the current times, when information
and communication are easily accessible,
documentation has shifted as a personal
choice. Now, not only does the media cover it,
but a new spectrum has been created where
Photos: Courtesy people make their own video content and blog
back, and has been living as an immigrant
since then. Fast forward to 2020, she is now
married with a three year old boy, Mikhal.
Sharing the joys of being a mother, she says:
“I recall the moment I held him for the first
time -- I felt as if no achievement in this
“When I was a kid, I was always fascinated by
the story of Alice in Wonderland; creativity
unfolds throughout the story and the
storytelling technique is mesmerizing. As I
grew up and faced reality, I was struck by the
fact that real life is the complete opposite to
the fictional world. In the world of reality,
there is hardly any space for creativity as we
are constantly pushed to follow the norms of
the world,” she says. Briefly explaining about
her shocking reality check, Sarah mentions
that after that incident at the airport she
convinced herself that there is still scope to be
creative in this world, if we try hard enough.
Hence, in the hopes to inspire and help
parents create a creative norm in this world
for our future generations, Sarah started her
storytelling channel by the name ‘Sarah in
Wonderland’.
She further assures: “To be honest, it’s
not always rainbows and butterflies in our
household, and motherhood is no piece of
cake! There are times when I desperately
want the day to be over; but at the end of the
day, when I see my kid’s face, I’m reminded
that there is still hope for humanity, and I am
one of the many other mothers in charge of
molding the greater future generation.” Sarah
believes that if she can try and help her child
be more creative, so can other like-minded
parents -- by coming together and building a
better community.

The
posts for the masses by reflecting their own
experiences.
One of the many people who enjoy sharing
everything from their daily life struggles to
world mattered as much as this.”
Sarah is also an international market
development manager in one of the renowned
universities of KL. Although she has a full-

wonderland of
all the little joys of life through blog posts, is
Sarah. Sarah is a mommy blogger or Youtuber
who, through her content, shares important
messages in the simplest way possible.
The idea is to bridge the gap between her
time job and a family to look after, she took up
the work as a freelance blogger and Youtuber
to help people with her knowledge and
experience.
Back when her son was 7 months old, Sarah

parenthood T
elevised media documents
the lives of ordinary people
to portray their daily life
struggles and happiness.
Many do it as a means of addressing
A mommy blogger and Youtuber, Sarah an important message, or in an
attempt to show the world that they
and the viewers. Through her channel, she
shares parenthood tips and tricks, and fun,
educational activities that can be carried out
with kids. The blog posts are primarily made
for parents, grandparents, or other guardians
with toddlers who are struggling to find a
balance in their hectic life schedules and are
looking to improve the lives of their children,
had to travel alone with her little one back
and forth between Bangladesh from Malaysia.
The idea of sharing her travel stories with
a toddler started there. She had to wait at
the airport for 42 hours with her child as the
flight got delayed and, eventually, cancelled.
Expressing her frustration, she mentions:
“I had no extra food for my baby and had no

has created a creative wonderland for
are not alone in whatever they’re
going through. With the help of such
or even expecting parents.
In order to pursue her Masters in
clue when I’d get the next flight. But I did
manage it patiently and nicely, which gave

anyone with toddlers kinds of documentation a community

is formed, and together, they can find
solutions to improve their lives.
by TANITA HOSSAIN
communication and public relations, Sarah
travelled to Malaysia from Bangladesh nine
years ago. The Malay ambience, food, and the
people seemed to have secured a special place
in Sarah’s heart. Hence, she decided to stay
me confidence that other mothers, too, can
travel with kids and not have to hold back
on anything they enjoy.” Thus began her
storytelling journey with the name ‘Sarah in
Wonderland’.

38 | Avenue T, September 2020, Dhaka Tribune Dhaka Tribune, September 2020, Avenue T | 39

Life with a What is it like raising
a kid in this day and
toddler: age?
It is amazing to see
how childhood norms
changed so much!
Kids nowadays are
always curious, and
in search of the next
new thing. Sometimes
it fascinates me how
creative they can be in ways of learning new
technology and understanding situations
that can’t even be read by us adults. As times
are changing, I think it is always important
to facilitate a creative environment for the
kids of this generation to learn. Through this,
parents also get to explore a creative side
which they were never knew they had.
What are the activities that you mostly take
part in with your child?  toys and gadgets, we often forget how exciting
Well, I mostly try to play things I used to play
when I was a child. I make a house out of sofa
cushions; I put a big bed sheet on the table
and play inside. I believe with all the latest
40 | Avenue T, September 2020, Dhaka Tribune
xtras
Parenting
it was for us back in the day, when we used
to make toys and were entertained even with
a shoebox. Once I am back in Bangladesh, I
would love to get him toys that we used to play
with when we were kids, like those toy coin
boxes with a dog pulling in the coins.
What is your son mostly fascinated by?
Fire trucks and airplanes are his favourite
toys. Apart from toys, he enjoys watching
food vlogs, and Mark Wiens is his favourite.
He will try to make faces like him and give
a thumbs up whenever he finds something
tasty. I would like to give credit to my husband
for igniting this interest in him, and I think
this is one of the main reasons why he enjoys
food and likes to explore food like we do. I
think he will be a good cook too by the time he
reaches the age of 6 or 7.
What difference have you noticed in the
methods of raising a child in Bangladesh and
Malaysia?
One thing that I love, and that is quite
common between Bangladeshi and Malaysian
communities, is the generosity, warmth, and
sense of unity amongst families. Malaysian
parents are very easy going when it comes
to raising a child; they will always travel
with children, give them the experience of
exploring new food and places by taking them
out from a very young age. Malaysian parents
always keep their kids busy with extra-
curricular activities, and always try to build
their skill-sets based on what the kids enjoy
to do (such as football, ballet, swimming,
tennis, art, and singing, basketball, or even
something as creative as drama -- which are
frowned upon in the Bangladeshi community).
All in all, there is no limit to being creative
and learning new things!
What differences have you noticed in the way
you raise your child compared to the way you
were raised?
Every single parent in this world tries to
do their best to make their kids’ childhood
comfortable and healthy. My parents were no
different. They tried to give me the best they
could afford. We all know how hard it is to give
all the attention to the kids, especially when
we live in a joint family. I have no complaints
at all. I try to give all my attention to my
son, listen to him, understand his emotions
and reason with him as well. I set aside my
household chores if my little one needs more
time with me.
Do you blog every day or do you have a
particular time dedicated for your blog?
How do you manage being a mother and a
blogger?
Honestly I do videos of all the titbits every
day, which I combine at the end of my video
as per the title. My son has started to go to
school now, so I will find time in between to
edit those videos and bring the final product
to life. However, I have a very busy schedule
and I need to find time to do this, as not every
day is the same. Staying abroad, we don’t have
the luxury of hiring a chauffeur for dropping
kids to school or picking them up. I do that
myself, and also prepare food for my little one
and my family, along with other household
chores, which is very exhausting for me --
especially now that I am expecting my second
child. At the end of the day, my husband will
try to get back home by five. We spend quality
time together as a family. We meet our other
friends with kids at the play park. We often
play basketball or go for a swim with my other
friends who have kids around the same age.
So it is a very busy schedule.
Do you travel with your toddler?
Yes! We love to travel and we love to go on
road trips. The first time we travelled with
our little one was when he was five months
old, and it was to an island. The journey was
via plane and speedboat. We got inspired
by western travellers on how they travel so
carefree with the infants, but we figured that
it was the best time, because they can’t walk
and their diet consists of mostly breastmilk
and liquid food, so you have less to worry
about. Apart from that, I have travelled to
Bangladesh alone with him around four
times since he was seven months old,
which inspired me to make my first video
on “What to pack on toddlers carry on.” My
trip to Bangladesh is not easy; being from
Chittagong, I have to wait at Dhaka airport
for a long time to catch the next flight to
Chittagong, which is about a 12 hour-long
journey, overall. Apart from that, we had many
other international trips and we travel via
intercity train with our kid, so we can explore
more of the city.
What lessons have you learned being a
mother and a mommy blogger?
Being a parent is the single most important
role any human will ever play in the life of
another. Being a mother made me realize
how much my mother loved and cared for
me, which I never felt before my first-born. I
always felt like nothing bad can happen to me
and my sister, as long as my father is there
(superhero dad! which he still is) and there
would always be something great waiting for
us for dinner or on Fridays, when my mother
was there; but there is so much more depth
in these feelings of a parent, which I know
now. Even for my husband’s parents, how they
feel, the joy when they hold their son when he
returns home, these are all precious emotions
that I now understand.
Sarah mentions that being a mommy
blogger is like being a researcher, which, on
top of everything, makes her a supermom.
She reads books and references on kids’
lifestyle and health to create better content
for her audience. For example, she’ll do
her research on disciplining or dealing
with toddlers’ tantrums while handling her
child, and make content related to that. This
experience has also given her the exposure
to make new mommy friends with whom
she shares beautiful memories and similar
incidents. Talking about this, she ends the
interview saying: “This friendship and like-
mindedness gives me an assurance that we
are all the same, no matter which part of the
world we are in.”n
Dhaka Tribune, September 2020, Avenue T | 41
 Xtras Xtras
Pop Culture Pop Culture

You’ll find it, the galaxy

inside of you
by TAJKIA MOSTAFA KHADEM

THE BTS
Destiny. A word I always had trouble believing in, that is, until I found 7 men living in Seoul, South Korea one difficult night.

Kim Namjoon
Kim Seokjin
Min Yoongi

EFFECT
Jung Hoseok
Park Jimin
Kim Taehyung
Jeon Jungkook
BTS

I can vividly remember the exact moment when the most beautiful voice boomed in my ears as I sobbed into my pillow. Kim Taehyung’s soulful
voice singing,

Over the last five years, Korean-based pop idol group BangtanSonyeondan, known worldwide as BTS, has disrupted
the global music scene. From clinching almost all the big international awards, to dominating all the Billboard charts,
to making an address at the UN General Assembly, they’re definitely the biggest thing in music right now. What
sets apart the Bangtan Boys from The Beatles, The Backstreet Boys, One Direction, or any other globally popular
boy band before them, is their uniquely symbiotic relationship with their legions of fans, known as the BTS ARMY.
This relationship is best understood from the inside, and in this youth themed issue, we pull back the curtains to
understand what it means to be ARMY
“Would you believe me if I said that I was scared of everything too?” (Magic Shop, BTS)
That was all it took for me to fall for BTS, aka, BangtanSonyeondan. So, you’re welcome, if it’s your first time with BTS! Seven remarkable
individuals, who go by both their stage names, and real names, respectively. RM (Kim Namjoon), JIN (Kim Seokjin), SUGA (Min Yoongi), J-HOPE
( Jung Hoseok), JIMIN (Park Jimin), V (Kim Taehyung), and JUNGKOOK ( Jeon Jungkook).
If I was allowed to talk about them limitlessly, I don’t think I could ever stop. But, if I had to say what it is about them that touched me, the
answer would be: their existence inspires me. The way their words connect and make beautiful poetry, pierce your heart, and inspire you to be the
best version of yourself. Their music can make you feel the love and respect they have for their art, and that feeling seeps into your soul too. It is
genuinely such a divine emotion.

42 | Avenue T, September 2020, Dhaka Tribune Dhaka Tribune, September 2020, Avenue T | 43
 Xtras
Pop Culture
Once you get to know them, especially on a personal level, you realize that efforts truly never betray results. In their own words,

“A medium-sized, ordinary idol was my second name

Countless people get cut from broadcast
But someone’s empty spot is our dream
They say some of these kids can’t make it because their agency is too small” (Sea, BTS)

They debuted back in June 13, 2013 from a small agency with little to no resource, started making music in a dingy small garage, and then those
passionate young kids went on to being their nation’s pride in every sense. The youngest recipients of The Order of Cultural Merit in S. Korea,
the ambassadors of UNICEF, the first Korean artists to have four #1 albums on BB 200, the first Korean group to have a #1 on BB Hot 100 (with
their latest single release, Dynamite)! You name it! Not to mention how they alone bring about $4.9 billion to their national economy whilst being
compared to giant companies like Samsung, Hyundai etc. In short, the genre is BTS.

“When you are sick

Just shining on me
I will be by your side
More brightly in the dark night” (Moon, BTS)

Their words work as a band-aid when I understand that they too struggle, scream, and question everything, just like an ordinary me. I know
Jimin and Hoseok want me to confront myself, and get through every obstacle when they say,

“caught in a lie, find me when I was pure, I can’t be free from this lie, give me back my smile” (Lie, BTS)

and,

“seven years of anguish come out finally, oppressions all resolved” (Ego, BTS).

And then, finally, the youngest members Taehyung and Jungkook never shy away from telling me their story. They ask me to believe in change,
to have hope, for everything does end in full bloom. I have to say, the first time I listened to their solo tracks from their recent most album (Map of
The Soul: 7), I cried.
Taehyung, a small child who believed in,

“a silver galaxy” and ran towards “the endless light” (Inner Child, BTS).

Jungkook, a young boy sharing how he feels,

“I ran to where the sun rises every single night” and that “his life is a movie all the time” (My Time, BTS).

Both their voices bring me peace every time I need it, which is why I couldn’t express the pride I felt when Taehyung’s first ever solo OST “Sweet
Night” for a K-Drama called “ItaewonClass” achieved a #1 on iTunes in 117 countries, smashing every record possible! His musical style is something
I love the most, which is why I cannot wait for his first ever mixtape (he’s told us he hopes to drop it this year!). And, every day I look forward to
But their achievements are not what make me love them beyond words. It’s their message, and how much they convey that to the world, both as listening to more stories of Jungkook just like the snippet of “Decalcomania” he gifted to us (mixtape soon, I hope!?!?).
a group and individually. As a group, they have talked about how to stand up to authorities as youths in the society (N.O, BTS), how essential it is I genuinely cannot stop talking about them once I start as I mentioned before. But, oh well. Here I am, ending this by recommending my top 5
to talk about your mental health, to be sad, and to be hopeful (Whalien 52, BTS). They ask you to be proud of your identity, and live fully despite all tracks by them:
taunts and nonsense (Idol, BTS)! It’s so enchanting that they can make an entire stadium scream their loudest chanting, “but you can’t stop me loving
myself!”, and how tracks like Stigma provide comfort to the LGBTQ+ community. Even individually, their words have brought me so much comfort, Spring Day
and made me want to believe, in myself, in them, in people. Tomorrow
So when Namjoon tells me ‘everything goes’, I close my eyes and blindly believe that this too shall pass which is precisely why mono (his mixtape) Born Singer
is my comfort zone. And then, Yoongi silently whispers in your ears, Singularity
Euphoria
“dream, your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be” (So Far Away, AGUST D),
I believe, you will one day find that galaxy inside you too, for the boys always come to those who need them. And when they do, they will purple
you grasp it in your heart that no dream is too small or too big. I know how dearly I am loved when Seokjin tells me, you, and scream “ARMY! I love you!” at the top of their lungs.

44 | Avenue T, September 2020, Dhaka Tribune Dhaka Tribune, September 2020, Avenue T | 45
 (Avenue T published under The Dhaka Tribune)

FR Tower, 8/C Panthpath, Shukrabad, Dhaka 1207.

The Dhaka Tribune is a national English-language broadsheet daily newspaper
published in Dhaka Bangladesh

46 | Avenue T, September 2020, Dhaka Tribune