Marking International Dance Day (April 29) 2015, a weeklong (April 23-29) dance fiesta opened at National Art Gallery Plaza of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) on April 23. Bangladesh Nritya Shilpi Sangstha (BNSS) in association with BSA has arranged the programme. Eminent artist and cultural personality Mustafa Monwar inaugurated the event as chief guest through releasing balloons. Dancers of various age groups swayed with the pulsating beats of dhak. 

Noted dancers -- Rahija Khanam Jhunu, Amanul Haque and Golam Mostafa Khan along with President Minu Haque and general secretary Mahfuzur Rahman of BNSS, and director of music, dance and recitation department of BSA Sohrab Uddin were present at the inaugural event. Secretary and acting director general of BSA Jahangir Hossain Chowdhury presided over the programme.

Artistes of Dhriti Nartanalay performed Manipuri dance while several prominent and promising dancers performed on a Tagore song “Anandadhara Bohichhe Bhubone”. Artistes of the troupe Bhongima also danced at the opening programme. 

“To relay the art of dance to every house, Tagore established the practice of refined and artistic form of dance in this part of the world,” said Mustafa Monwar. 

Following the opening ceremony, artistes from a number of dance troupes including Sweet Bangladesh, Nataraj, Nrityanandan, Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts, Kathak Nritya Sampradaye, Nrityachhanda and Dibya performed dances. The artistes predominantly presented dances on folk songs. 

Apart from dance performances starting from 3pm every day till April 28, a dance fair is being held at the plaza where several stalls are displaying dance costumes, ornaments, food items and more. 

The organisers have being holding the event for the last 25 years. The theme for this year's celebration is “Santrash Rukey Dao Nrityer Chhonde”. A seminar and a Bharatnatyam workshop will be held during the weeklong programme. A colourful procession and a grand celebration programme featuring, dance performance, discussion and honouring a dance artiste will take place at BSA on April 29.