Theatre & Arts

Theatre & Arts

Art Exhibition / ‘Abanto’: Little Abanti, big artistic adventures

A pink poster had been circulating my social media newsfeed, and it turned out to be an art exhibition, so I decided to pay a visit. On the first afternoon of August, Safiuddin Shilpalay hence inaugurated the first solo exhibition, “Abanto”, by Mayesha Islam Abanti. She is a distinguished young lady who is currently enrolled at the University of Birmingham, UK.

19h ago

Rickshaw Rally returns with graffiti tribute to July uprising

The rally will begin at 3pm from the Shilpakala Academy and parade through Moghbazar, Hatirjheel, and Madhubagh, before looping back to its starting point. Each rickshaw will be colourfully decked with custom T-shirts, caps, flag bands, placards, and original graffiti art—transforming the streets of Dhaka into a moving exhibition of protest and pride.

22h ago

‘Bidrupe Bidroho’ and the anatomy of satire as resistance

"Bidrupe Bidroho", the six-day exhibition currently underway at La Gallerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka, revives the spirit of resistance. Organised by Earki, the exhibition has been organised to mark the first anniversary of the July 2024 uprising, the 36-day-long people’s movement that culminated in the overthrow of the Awami League regime.

1d ago

‘July Reawakening Theatre Festival’ underway at Shilpakala

The “July Reawakening Theatre Festival” is currently underway at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, featuring 11 new productions by 11 theatre troupes. Organised to reflect on the spirit of the July movement, the festival opened on July 31 at the National Theatre Hall and will continue till August 8.

1d ago

Off-screen to face bullets / How artistes flamed cultural defiance in July

From stage to street, artistes and activists led a cultural revolt against brutality and censorship

3d ago

From Shahidul Zahir to paratheatre: Spardha unveils daring lineup for August run

Spardha’s acclaimed productions "Bismaykar Sabkichu" and "Tobu-o Jege Uthi"—the latter directed by Mohsina Akter—will return to the stage for one and three performances, respectively. This phase also includes four additional workshops and a public panel.

3d ago

Salvador Dali painting found during house clearance could fetch £30,000

A rare Salvador Dali painting discovered during a routine house clearance in Cambridge is set to go under the hammer in October, with an estimated value of up to £30,000 ($40042.35) — despite being bought for just £150 ($200.29).

4d ago

Cultural Dreamers / Dristi Chakma defies the odds, wins international recognition in architecture

Recently, social media was flooded with her success story, as her work was selected as one of the top entries from over 7,000 submissions for London’s prestigious Drawing of the Year Awards. Her illustration was also featured in the Drawing of the Year 2025 book, earning her international recognition.

5d ago

Unveiling the Rich Tapestry of Japanese Culture through Dolls

In the exhibition, the development and changes in the shape of the dolls are represented according to the important time periods of Japan. This can be seen through the shape of the dolls, from the traditional to the collector figure. Not only that, this exhibition also displays “Ningyo” forms and styles with characteristics from each region in Japan.

1y ago

National Street Theatre Festival begins

The Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation (BGTF) has arranged the National Street Theatre Festival under the theme “Yardstick of Politics, Art, Literature, and Culture”. For 34 years, the BGTF has been hosting this festival in honour of the language martyrs at the Central Shaheed Minar premises. This year, the festival will take place across 21 zones in eight divisions, including the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka.

1y ago

Bangladeshi artists contribute to ‘Voices of Resistance 2024’ exhibition, aiding Gaza

The "Voices of Resistance 2024" exhibition, currently taking place at The KL City Art Gallery and featuring the active participation of talented Bangladeshi artists, offers a distinctive fusion of creativity that goes beyond geographical boundaries. This artistic endeavour, organised by the Birlikte Sanat Society in collaboration with the Turkish Embassy in Kuala Lumpur and Yunus Emre Institute (YEE), not only celebrates Turkish artistry but also serves as a platform for solidarity with Gaza.

1y ago

Dhaka Makers 2: A four-day extravaganza celebrating local art and creativity

The second edition of Dhaka Makers, an independent arts and crafts festival that kicked off on February 1, 2024, at the Aloki Convention Center. Established as a vibrant platform for local, contemporary artists, the festival aims to showcase their work and foster connections within the creative community.

1y ago

Five Bangladeshi troupes to be represented at Bharat Rang Mahotsav

The 25th edition of the festival, arranged by India’s prestigious theatre school National School of Drama, will begin on February 1 in Mumbai and will be held across 15 cities till February 21 with the theme, “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, Vande Bharangam”.

1y ago

Nawshaba Ahmed to direct another play featuring children with special needs

Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed, who recently captivated the audiences with her brilliant performances in the Aarshinagar theatre troupe’s "Siddhartha" in its back-to-back five shows, is all set to make her directorial return to theatre with a play based on the life of children with special needs.

1y ago

Drishyakavya’s play ‘Otopor Pronoy’ to stage today

Like William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”, the plot of the play revolves around two families, who differ from each other in terms of religion in the adapted backdrop of a city in Bangladesh.

1y ago

Three theatre personalities honoured at RU’s ‘Anarta Natya Mela’

The inaugural ceremony, graced by celebrated guests including playwright Mamunur Rashid, actors and actresses Tariq Anam Khan, Bonna Mirza, Salahuddin Lavlu, and Aruna Biswas, marked the commencement of the theatrical affair. Indian artistes Anshuman Bhowmick and Sanchita Bashu added an international flavour to the event, emphasising the cross-cultural significance of the fair.

1y ago

Galleri Kaya hosts Anisul Hoque’s solo art exhibition

A cluster of paintings crafted by Bangladeshi author, screenwriter, novelist, dramatist, and journalist Anisul Hoque has been gathered for the orchestration of a solo art exhibition at Galleri Kaya in the capital’s Uttara region.

1y ago

BSA to host ‘NINGYŌ- Art and Beauty of Japanese Dolls’ exhibition

The Japan Foundation, in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh, is set to showcase an exhibition titled "NINGYŌ: Art and Beauty of Japanese Dolls" at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. The term "NINGYŌ" translates to "dolls" in Japanese.

1y ago