Theatre & Arts

Theatre & Arts

Tarua stages anti-war drama ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ at Shilpakala

The play explores the psychological and physical toll of World War I, tracing the journey of young soldiers as they are transformed from patriotic youths into disillusioned veterans.

21h ago

Theatre Factory to honour Jibanananda Das’ life story on stage

Theatre Factory is set to debut its latest production, “Komola Rong er Bodh”, a theatrical homage to the life and works of renowned Bengali poet Jibanananda Das. The play, written and directed by Alok Basu, will premiere on May 9 at the Mohila Samity stage in Dhaka, with additional performances scheduled for May 10 and 11.​

1d ago

Sony Ramani’s first solo exhibition sheds light on Dhaka’s environmental crisis

Acclaimed photojournalist Sony Ramani has unveiled his first solo photography exhibition at the National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), spotlighting the growing environmental crisis engulfing the capital. The exhibition opened today at 5:30pm and will welcome visitors daily from 3pm to 8 pm until April 24.

3d ago

Drik announces winners of Bangladesh Press Photo Contest 2025

'Drik' has been hosting the Bangladesh Press Photo Contest since 2022, to highlight the success and work lives of photojournalists. We salute all the hardworking, courageous, and talented male and female photographers and photojournalists.

3d ago

Visual Art Exhibition / Munem Wasif’s homecoming at ‘Kromosho’

Around the mid-2000s, a young Munem Wasif, with his rickety Soviet-era Zenit camera, found himself indulging in the allures of the older parts of Dhaka. Infinite lived experiences and thousands of shutter counts later, his first magnum opus, “Belonging”, came to life in 2012. This photo book became one of the most revered photographic bodies of work in Bangladesh’s visual art history.

4d ago

Activists demand allocation of 1 percent of national budget for cultural sector

On Friday afternoon, cultural activists presented their views at a seminar titled “Review and Proposal of the Cultural Sector Budget.” The event was organised by the Theatre Artists Association of Dhaka (TAD) in the seminar room of the Shilpakala Academy.

4d ago

Portrait of amputee Palestinian child wins World Press Photo

A haunting portrait of a nine-year-old Palestinian boy who lost both arms during an Israeli attack on Gaza City won the 2025 World Press Photo of the Year Award yesterday.

5d ago

BotTala’s ‘Khona’ returns to Shilpakala for 92nd performance

The production has been lauded for its compelling portrayal of Khona's defiance against patriarchal norms and her quest for equality.​

1w ago

JnU stages ‘Jujuburi’: Play explores rural beliefs, fear, and family conflict

The Department of Theatre at Jagannath University staged a play titled “Jujuburi”, a narrative adapted from Badruzzaman Alamgir’s story “Aber Pankha Loiya”, as part of the postgraduate production for the 2021–22 academic session. Held at the department’s studio theatre today at 12pm, the performance was directed by Theatre Department’s Professor Kamal Uddin Kabir.

1m ago

French playwright to stage a comedy on Dhaka’s street hawkers

Directed by French playwright Zazie Hayoun Jazzy, “Song of Hawkers” focuses on the daily lives of Dhaka's hawkers through three light-hearted stories—“The Secret”, “The Thief Rewarded”, and “The Competition”.

1m ago

From ‘Madonna’ to ‘Earth, Water, and Air’: The artistic legacy of Rokeya Sultana

Renowned artist Professor Rokeya Sultana has been awarded the prestigious Ekushey Padak this year for her outstanding contributions to fine art. As an internationally recognised artist and a Fulbright Fellow, her deep and unique artistic expression has made her one of the most significant contemporary painters in South Asia.

1m ago

‘Acting isn't easy, it's a painful path’

Anjan Dutt is returning to where it all began—the theatre. After over four decades in cinema, the "Dutta Vs Dutta" star has announced his final stage appearance. His last play, "Aro Ekta Lear", premiered to praise, and is set to return on March 9 again at Kolkata's Gyan Manch. Advance tickets are already available for those eager to witness this final performance.

1m ago

A counter-narrative of ‘Meghnad’: Reflections on Kabir Ahmed Masum Chisty’s exhibition

As I walked into Kalakendra in the capital’s Lalmatia area, I was unsure what to expect from Kabir Ahmed Masum Chisty’s solo exhibition, “Meghnad Badh”, curated by Lala Rukh Selim. I did not personally know the artist or his body of work, yet I was drawn to the premise—a visual reimagining of “Meghnadbad Kabya”, Michael Madhusudan Dutt’s magnum opus that transformed the perception of a character largely dismissed in the mainstream “Ramayana”. What struck me most was the exhibition’s engagement with what Sibaji Bandyopadhyay, in his book “Three Essays on the Ramayana” calls ‘dispersed textuality’—the idea that an epic exists not as a singular, authoritative narrative but as an intricate, layered text that absorbs contradictions and alternative voices.

1m ago

Syed Jamil Ahmed clarifies his stance on stepping down from Shilpakala

As the ongoing allegations, contentions and discussions were addressed by the Cultural Advisor Mostafa Sarwar Farooki through his Facebook posts and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs through a press note, Syed Jamil Ahmed clears his stance once again in an interview.

1m ago

Farooki is fine as an adviser, at least he’s not being childish: Prince Mahmud

Popular music composer Prince Mahmud has opened up about the issue. On Monday, March 3, Prince Mahmud wrote on Facebook, “Mostofa Sarwar Farooki is fine as an adviser. At least he is not being childish. He is sensitive and knows what to say and do in different situations. The situation demands someone like him.”

1m ago

Theatre activists demand autonomy for Shilpakala, rally for Syed Jamil Ahmed's reinstatement

This rally, which brought together theatre artistes, writers, directors, designers, and cultural activists, came in the wake of the controversial resignation of Syed Jamil Ahmed, the Academy’s former director general. The procession aims to voice a clear and urgent demand for not only the reinstatement of Ahmed but also for the autonomy of Shilpakala Academy, free from bureaucratic interference.

1m ago

Farooki questions Syed Jamil’s claims

Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has questioned some of the issues raised by Syed Jamil Ahmed in his statement while handing his resignation as the director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy at a public event.

1m ago

Syed Jamil Ahmed announces resignation as Shilpakala DG

During the event, the theatre personality who was supposed to give a speech to the present audience, suddenly took the microphone and informed on his resignation. "It is no longer possible for me to continue working here. That is why I am submitting my resignation letter to the Shilpakala Secretary (Mohammad Wares Hossain) in front of all of you," he stated, addressing the audience and distinguished guests at the event.

1m ago