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.
On the 126th birth anniversary of Jibanananda Das, one of Bengali Literature’s most revered figures, theatre group Theatre Factory is set to stage their latest production, “Komola Rong er Bodh”. Written and directed by Alok Basu, the play draws inspiration from the poet’s life and literary contributions.
Today Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, officially inaugurated the newly established Ananda Academy for Performing Arts (AAPA), as the chief guest. The inauguration of this project by the Social Services and Management Trust (SSMT) was held at SSMT House in the Baridhara area of the capital.
This moving love story was originally written almost 100 years ago by Urdu author Rahat Ara Begum. The tale of forbidden love between a prince and a servant has now been adapted into the dance drama “Dilnawaz” to be staged on Valentine’s Day.
As an admirer of art, the excitement was palatable as I could see legendary artists like Rafiqun Nabi and Monirul Islam gracing the premises – it was an exclusive first look of the event, arranged by Dhaka Storytellers.
Seventy-one theatre organisations from across Dhaka have united to form a platform to boost theatre practice by cultivating a more theatre-oriented audience, and invigorating theatre groups and members. Established last month, the platform is called Dhaka Mohanagar Natya Parishad. The organisation announced plans to host theatre festivals at various venues starting this month, led by the initiative of the board. As part of this effort, the first phase of the Dhaka Mohanagar Natya Utsab will span 14 days.
Among the recipients are late novelist Shahidul Zahir (Md Shahidul Haque) and poet Helal Hafeez, who will be honoured posthumously for their contributions to Language and Literature. Renowned photographer and founder of Drik Gallery and Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, Shahidul Alam, will receive the award for his work in Culture and Education. Filmmaker Azizur Rahman, famed for his work on “Chhutir Ghonta”, will be conferred the award posthumously for his contributions to Arts (Cinema), while Ustad Nirad Baran Barua and Ferdous Ara will be honored for Music. Nasir Ali Mamun will be recognized for Arts (Photography), and Rokeya Sultana will receive the award for Arts (Fine Arts).
What makes a visual artist tick in the cacophony of your typical modern existence, which in hindsight has the tenacity to make one increasingly distracted? One of the answers lies with the recently declared winner of the second iteration of the 2025 East London Art Prize, Laisul Hoque. This all-media art prize competition received 900 submissions from artists and collectives living or working within London’s ‘E’ postcode this year. Laisul won £15,000 (over $15,000) and the opportunity to host a solo exhibition at the Nunnery Gallery in Bow, scheduled for 2026, owing to his interactive installation art piece “An Ode to All the Flavours” (2024), which was selected from 12 shortlisted artists.
The Department of Theatre and Performance Studies at Dhaka University is set to stage a new play, "Pakhider Bidhansobha” (The Parliament of Birds), from February 7 to 10 at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA).
Lokman, the founder of Dhaka University's Mime Action and the Institute of Mime and Movement has been amplifying unheard voices through his performances with the slogan "Let the unspoken words speak". Today, he is bringing “Laal Michhil” to the stage of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy to captivate audiences with his solo act.
When I was merely three, my mother, being a history major and a sibling to freedom fighters, took it upon herself to ingrain the Liberation War and the birth of Bangladesh into my mind. As a result, I grew up learning about “Shangshaptak”, the legendary sculpture representing the spirit of our Liberation War, by the renowned sculptor Hamiduzzaman Khan. I felt like I had hit the jackpot when I got the opportunity to meet him and learn from him during my third semester of the Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) programme. Finally, 11 years later, I experienced an exhibition dedicated entirely to him.
