What’s happening in Dhaka today?

As the weekend finally rolls around, Dhaka dwellers can catch a glimpse at all the different events taking place around the city today. Whether you want to sway to some classical music or be enraged at the wrongdoings of the society displayed in a tantalising play, the city has it all.

Shastriya Sangeet Abong Nritya Utsav 2023

Commemorating the traditional dance and music of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) is organising the event, "Shastriya Sangeet Abong Nritya Utshav 2023". The two-day-long event kicks-off today starting from 5pm, at the auditorium of the National Music and Dance Centre, BSA.

According to the public relations officer Sabina Yeasmin, many prominent singers such as Rezwan Ali Lavlu, Antara Mondal, Bitu Shil, Rezwanul Haque, Fakir Shahidul Islam, Sushmita Debnath, Priyanka Gope, Soumita Bose, Yusuf Ali Khan, and Yakub Ali Khan, among many others, will be performing at the event. Moreover, the audience will also get to see marvellous dance performances from noted artistes including Zuiriyah Mouli, Shahrin, Priyanka Agnes, Tamanna Rahman, Munmun Ahmed, Mohona Meem, and Monira Parveen, among others.

'Agunjatra' by Prachyanat

Today will mark the last show of the theatre troupe Prachyanat's play, "Agunjatra", which is past of a five show streak that the troupe has held over the last week. Today, the show will take place at the Neelima Ibrahim auditorium at Bangladesh Mahila Samity. The play will have two stagings, one at 5:30 pm and the other at 7:30 pm.

"Agunjatra" is Prachyanat's 41st production. Originally titled "Seven Steps Around the Fire" and written by contemporary Indian playwright Mahesh Dattani, the play has been translated by Shahidul Mamun. The translation has been adapted and directed by Azad Abul Kalam.

The play surrounds the journey of transgender woman named Kamala and her relationship with the son of a minister. When the minister finds out about the relationship, he burns Kamala to death, framing another transgender woman for her murder. The play unfolds when another character, Uma, tries to unravel the thread of the murder and how her own experiences are tied to the characters.

Read more

Scarcity of men in classical dancing

25th National Art Exhibition

Also taking place at the National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, today is the third last day of the 25th National Art Exhibition. The event, which will run till July 16, usually opens its door from 11 am till 8pm, but on Fridays, the exhibition will be open for all from 3pm to 8pm.

'Shikhandi Kotha' by Mohakal Natya Sampradya

Today marks the theatre troupe's 40th anniversary and on that occasion, after the inauguration of their year long celebration programme, Mohakal will be staging the play, "Shikhandi Kotha" at 7pm at the National Theatre Hall in BSA.