In the heart of London’s East End, the Spitalfields Studios Gallery recently unveiled "Echoes of Existence", a solo exhibition by the Bangladeshi artist Ruhul Amin Tarek— representing a thoughtful, spiritually charged journey through form, time, memory, and landscape. With 64 diverse works ranging from woodcuts to drypoints, acrylics to pencil sketches, Tarek invites the viewer into a contemplative realm where art becomes a mirror for inner life, the human condition, and nature’s silent testimony.
After a hectic day at work, I found myself rushing to Gallery Chitrak last Sunday evening to indulge in “Nandonpot”, a group art exhibition inaugurated on the day of the summer solstice (June 21). I could hardly control my excitement before entering the gallery, and like most of the time, I was not disappointed. “Nandonpot” is a visual group art exhibition displaying artworks by artists from various generations. Notably, Eminent artist Professor Hamiduzzaman Khan, art critic Moinuddin Khaled, and Country Chief Risk Officer Mohammad Enamul Haque of Standard Chartered Bank, attended the opening ceremony as guests.
The Bangladeshi photographer, educator, and journalist breathed his last on Friday, June 20, at approximately 9:30pm, while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Dhaka. He was 68. The pioneer in Bangladeshi photography had been battling various health complications for an extended period, a battle he fought with characteristic resilience until the end.
At the heart of the play is the tragic trial of the Greek philosopher Socrates, whose unwavering pursuit of truth and reason led to a death sentence handed down by 501 jurors in ancient Athens. Accused of corrupting the youth and rejecting the state-sanctioned gods, Socrates could have chosen exile or even escaped. But instead, he accepted his fate and drank hemlock with stoic resolve, a moment immortalised in both philosophy and theatre.
A total of 120 writers, artists, performers, filmmakers, academics, and cultural activists from across the country have jointly condemned the reported decision to remove the mural titled “Anjali Laho Mor” from the campus of Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University in Trishal, Mymensingh.
Written and directed by Shakil Ahmed Sonet, the play draws from the spirit of monsoon revolutions and presents what the director describes as “a chronicle of our times”—a poetic yet brutal narrative set against the backdrop of gunshots, grief, and fragmented dreams.
The Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) has kicked off a vibrant new art initiative titled “Bhashajog: Celebrating Expression through Language in Printmaking”, spotlighting the country’s rich linguistic and cultural diversity. The weeklong workshop began on June 13 at the National Art Gallery Plaza in Shegun Bagicha, Dhaka, and will run through June 21, offering four daily sessions to a total of 80 registered participants each day.
Emon, an actor and advisor from Prachyanat, was the only participant from Asia and played a dual role as both actor and country representative. While two other Bangladeshi artists—actor Nahida Ankhi and choreographer Diana Merlin—were initially selected, both were unable to join due to visa issues.
Marking the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy is set to host “Ananda Utsab” at the Nandan Mancha of the academy. Supported by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the programme will take place on Friday, 6 June, at 7pm.
The Theatre Artists Association of Dhaka (TAD) has expressed disappointment over the proposed national budget for the cultural sector for the 2025–26 fiscal year.
Twenty-five rare paintings by the late Indian modernist Maqbool Fida Husain, offering his sweeping perspective on the 20th century, are set to go under the hammer on June 12 in Mumbai.
In a typical Banksy twist, the artwork plays with perspective. A nearby bollard casts a false shadow across the pavement, cleverly shaping the lighthouse’s silhouette, making the mundane seem monumental.
More than just a home for the arts, it has long been a custodian of collective memory, responsible for shaping a culturally enriched, humane Bangladesh, rooted in its historical context. Despite its undeniable impact in preserving traditions, amplifying artistic expression, and cultivating national identity, the institution has long been a target for political manipulation, corruption, and political parties’ quests to control the cultural conscience of the country.
Bipasha Hayat’s deep-rooted passion for art has long been visible through her work and social media presence. A dedicated and ever-evolving artist, she continues to challenge herself by participating in exhibitions and immersive art programmes around the world. Her latest achievement marks a significant milestone—being officially selected as a participant for the All About Curating (AAC) Art Intensive programme in Bogotá, Colombia.
“Twenty Nine Seconds” unpacks the harrowing 2022 incident in which Rushdie was attacked onstage in New York, losing vision in one eye and nearly losing his life. It also traces the aftermath — psychological, physical, and artistic — that followed. Sen’s production brings Rushdie’s voice to life through Shah’s commanding presence, marking their first collaboration in theatre. Notably, the two have previously worked together on screen.
The festival received an overwhelming response, with 322 film submissions from across the country. After careful consideration by the selection committee, 89 films were chosen for screening—60 fictional shorts and 29 documentaries. These films were selected based on their artistic merit, storytelling prowess, and relevance to contemporary social issues.
Bangladeshi artist Suborna Morsheada made an impressive debut at the Révélations International Fine Craft & Creation Biennial in Paris, with support from the Durjoy Bangladesh Foundation.
Researcher Anwarul Haque and singer Shabnam Mushtari have been named as this year’s recipients of the Bangla Academy’s Nazrul Award. The awardees are being recognised for their contributions to the study, performance, and promotion of the works of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.
