Theatre & Arts

Theatre & Arts

Art Exhibition / ‘Bindu’: A display of passion and devotion

Enakkhi Saha Roy, Ishrat Parveen Leena, and Ranjana Sayeed — a trio of visual artists driven by their love and passion for visual arts — are practicing artists whose second group exhibition, titled “Bindu”, is being hosted at Bhumi Art Gallery in Lalmatia. The inauguration event of the art exhibition took place on December 20, where painter Professor Emeritus Rafiqun Nabi graced the event as the chief guest. The exhibition was underway after the inaugural event consisting of performances of musicians from various genres.

22h ago

Renamed halls and standup comedy mark Shilpakala Academy’s latest initiatives

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has officially designated three of its auditoriums to theatrical performances. The academy’s Director General Syed Jamil Ahmed, announced that these auditoriums are being renamed. Speaking at an event held at the academy’s Experimental Theatre Hall yesterday, he further stated that the Experimental Theatre Hall will be opened for theatrical productions starting December 28.

2d ago

Folk and classical music fests postponed amid security concerns

In an unexpected move, two major festivals slated for Dhaka’s Army Stadium have been postponed due to security concerns and the sudden cancellation of venue bookings. The highly anticipated International Folk Music Festival and Bengal Foundation's Classical Music Festival have both been put on hold, leaving event organisers and attendees in uncertainty.

4d ago

Art Exhibition / ‘Rong Jeno Moar Maurme Lage’: The artistic grandeur of ‘Graphics Manik Dey’  

Most of the artworks currently adorning the walls of Gallery Chitrak were created between 2016 and 2024. The exhibition features 70 pieces, including acrylic, oil, and watercolour paintings, etchings, drawings, charcoal works, and some of his iconic graphic designs for BTV. 

2w ago

TikTok Creator Awards 2024 celebrates Bangladeshi rising talents

The vibrant TikTok community in Bangladesh took centre stage last night as TikTok hosted the TikTok Creator Awards 2024 in the capital. Held for the second consecutive year in the country, the event celebrated the creative brilliance of Bangladeshi content creators who have revolutionised digital storytelling and entertainment.  

2w ago

A day at Wangala festival with the Garo community

The grounds of Lalmatia Housing Society School and College came alive with the beats of drums and the colourful celebration of Wangala, the foremost festival of the Garo community. Known as the “Hundred Drums Festival,” Wangala is a time for the community to thank Misi Saljong, the Sun Deity, for a successful harvest. This festive celebration marks the end of the farming season and celebrates the blessings of nature.

2w ago

Celebrating December with theatre, qawwali, and cultural festivals across Bangladesh

This December, the country is set to come alive with an extraordinary lineup of cultural festivities, organized by Shilpakala Academy to mark the country's month of victory. From Qawwali performances to theatre festivals, the month-long celebration promises something for everyone. These events, held across districts and major cities, aim to bring art and culture to the public, making them accessible to all.

2w ago

Anuswar theatre to stage Shahaduzzaman's 'Mohashunye Cycle'

Author Shahaduzzaman shared his thoughts on the adaptation: "The story revolves around a character who sees himself as split into two entities. The play delves into the interactions between these two sides of the same person. Inspired by Saif Suman’s vision, I extended the story into a theatrical form."

2w ago

‘Journey of Cosmos’: Masudur Rahman’s profound exploration of existence

Masudur Rahman’s solo art exhibition, titled “Journey of Cosmos”, is currently on display at Alliance Française de Dhaka in Dhanmondi. It is a profound contemplation of the interconnection between humanity, nature, and the universe. The artist’s work delves into the vastness and emptiness of the human mind, revealing how these elements impart sophisticated depth to creation, love, and life.

3m ago

Cartoons as resistance: Artists find their voice in July uprising

Cartoons, as a form of artistic activism, speak the language of time. They highlight contemporary political events and societal absurdities, often at great personal risk to the artists. Despite the former AL-led government's attempts to instil fear during the anti-discrimination student movement, the people's resolve only grew stronger. Cartoonists were no exception, capturing the then government's atrocities—murders, repression, and abductions—in powerful images that spread like wildfire across social media. These cartoons became the movement's fuel, igniting further resistance.

3m ago

Mustafa Monwar turns 89: Honouring the legacy of a cultural icon

Mustafa Monwar, lovingly known as Bangladesh's "Puppet Man," has been a towering figure in the country's artistic and cultural landscape. Born on September 1, 1935, Monwar’s contributions to puppetry, painting, visual arts, and television have made him a symbol of creative freedom and expression.

3m ago

‘Im/material’: A union of comfort and chaos

The finest characteristic of Amitab’s paintings is that they invoke emotions and create a chain of thoughts. His artworks speak of his commitment to proportions and balance. His imagination comes alive through the colours and textures of his canvases. Calm and chaos both exist in his works harmoniously. According to the curator, the artist orchestrates atemporal, and spatial configurations with deliberate and methodical approaches and they align with the aesthetics of the abstract. 

3m ago

‘Beyond the Gaze’: Exploring intimacy and isolation at AFD

Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) is currently hosting “Beyond the Gaze”, showcasing a profound exploration of intimacy, identity, and isolation through the lens of emerging photographers and artists. The exhibition features works from the PSA: Beyond the Gaze 2023–2024 workshop, an initiative supported by Photo South Asia under the MurthyNAYAK Foundation, and partnered with AFD and Kiran Nadar Museum of Art in Delhi, India.

3m ago

A revamped Zahir Raihan Cultural Center reopens after six months

The centre, which had been closed since the beginning of Ramadan for repairs, welcomed audiences last Friday (August 30). The South City Corporation initiated the renovation in the second week of March, addressing several issues, including malfunctioning air conditioning and lifts, as well as other technical faults.

3m ago

‘Gum Jaan o Joban’: A glimpse into the grief of the forcibly disappeared

“Gum Jaan o Joban” is a powerful tribute to the families affected by enforced disappearances, brought to life through the lens of artist Mosfiqur Rahman Johan. Over the course of three years, Johan immersed himself in the lives of these families, documenting their grief, resilience, and the haunting absence of their loved ones

3m ago

Prachyanat School honours Kafka with stage adaptation of ‘Metamorphosis’

Kafka's “The Metamorphosis”, published in 1915, remains one of the most unsettling yet profound explorations of alienation and existential dread. The novella's iconic opening—“One morning, Gregor Samsa wakes up to find himself transformed into a giant insect”—sets the tone for a story that delves deep into the absurdity of human existence and the crushing weight of societal expectations.

3m ago

Bangladesh honours Kazi Nazrul Islam's enduring legacy on 48th death anniversary

Today, August 27, marks the 48th death anniversary of Kazi Nazrul Islam, a day of reflection and tribute across the nation. Among the many commemorations, Desh Natok, a prominent theatre group, will stage two plays at the Bangladesh Mahila Samiti to honour the legendary poet.

3m ago

Ramendu Majumdar and Ferdousi Mazumder rally cultural activists to aid flood victims

On Sunday, the veteran couple, known for contributing to Bangladesh's cultural landscape, released a deeply resonating joint statement, passionately appealing to their fellow cultural workers to rise to the occasion, “We appeal to all cultural activists—our country is in the grasp of a severe disaster. The most catastrophic flood in recent memory has endangered millions of lives.

3m ago