Shilpakala Academy

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.

When art and politics collide

Dr Samina Luthfa, associate professor at the Department of Sociology in Dhaka University, talks about the recent controversy surrounding Shilpakala Academy and the theatre scene in Bangladesh with Monorom Polok of The Daily Star.

Opinion / Shilpakala Academy’s catalytic role against polarisation and extremism

BSA's initiatives in theatre, music, and visual arts have proven to be effective tools for bridging divides in Bangladesh's politically charged environment. The academy's diverse programming speaks to a wide range of Bangladeshis, although often failing to transcend party affiliations and ideological differences.

Three-day Lalon Festival to return to Shilpakala Academy tomorrow

In honour of Lalon's 134th death anniversary on October 17, the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has organised a three-day festival to celebrate his legacy. A press conference detailing the event will take place today at 3:00pm in the National Theatre Hall seminar room.

Women’s bodies, male privilege, and the enduring secularist/religious binary in Bangladesh

There are women who don't want to be in the middle of a duel between two groups who legitimise and co-produce each other.

Ferdous Ara returns to Bangladesh Betar after 15 years

Celebrated Nazrul Sangeet exponent Ferdous Ara faced an unexpected exclusion during Awami League’s tenure. For the past 15 years, she was barred from performing on Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar. Recently, however, she made a long-awaited return to these two state-run platforms. 

‘The School for Wives’ returns to Shilpakala Academy

The play proceeds to what happens after that, and if Arnolphe succeeds in his motif.

22nd DIFF / Dhaka Int’l Film Festival kicks off today, ‘Mujib’ and ‘Fereshteh’ to be screened for free

The 22nd Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) officially kicks off today, featuring a lineup of around 250 films from 74 countries, including Bangladesh. The festival, spanning nine days from January 20 to January 28, will showcase 71 films from Bangladesh. Notably, the films “Mujib: The Making of a Nation” and “Fereshteh” will be available for viewing at the festival free of charge.

19-day nationwide Jatra festival kicks off

The Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy is spearheading a unique 19-day Jatra festival that spans 42 districts, engaging the general public in a journey of development and celebrating art. The grand cultural festival, titled "Gono Jagoron Jatrapala Utsav 2023", kicked off yesterday (November 2) with an inaugural ceremony at 6 pm at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

December 6, 2024
December 6, 2024

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.

November 15, 2024
November 15, 2024

When art and politics collide

Dr Samina Luthfa, associate professor at the Department of Sociology in Dhaka University, talks about the recent controversy surrounding Shilpakala Academy and the theatre scene in Bangladesh with Monorom Polok of The Daily Star.

October 28, 2024
October 28, 2024

Shilpakala Academy’s catalytic role against polarisation and extremism

BSA's initiatives in theatre, music, and visual arts have proven to be effective tools for bridging divides in Bangladesh's politically charged environment. The academy's diverse programming speaks to a wide range of Bangladeshis, although often failing to transcend party affiliations and ideological differences.

October 16, 2024
October 16, 2024

Three-day Lalon Festival to return to Shilpakala Academy tomorrow

In honour of Lalon's 134th death anniversary on October 17, the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has organised a three-day festival to celebrate his legacy. A press conference detailing the event will take place today at 3:00pm in the National Theatre Hall seminar room.

October 14, 2024
October 14, 2024

Women’s bodies, male privilege, and the enduring secularist/religious binary in Bangladesh

There are women who don't want to be in the middle of a duel between two groups who legitimise and co-produce each other.

October 4, 2024
October 4, 2024

Ferdous Ara returns to Bangladesh Betar after 15 years

Celebrated Nazrul Sangeet exponent Ferdous Ara faced an unexpected exclusion during Awami League’s tenure. For the past 15 years, she was barred from performing on Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar. Recently, however, she made a long-awaited return to these two state-run platforms. 

March 15, 2024
March 15, 2024

‘The School for Wives’ returns to Shilpakala Academy

The play proceeds to what happens after that, and if Arnolphe succeeds in his motif.

January 20, 2024
January 20, 2024

Dhaka Int’l Film Festival kicks off today, ‘Mujib’ and ‘Fereshteh’ to be screened for free

The 22nd Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) officially kicks off today, featuring a lineup of around 250 films from 74 countries, including Bangladesh. The festival, spanning nine days from January 20 to January 28, will showcase 71 films from Bangladesh. Notably, the films “Mujib: The Making of a Nation” and “Fereshteh” will be available for viewing at the festival free of charge.

November 3, 2023
November 3, 2023

19-day nationwide Jatra festival kicks off

The Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy is spearheading a unique 19-day Jatra festival that spans 42 districts, engaging the general public in a journey of development and celebrating art. The grand cultural festival, titled "Gono Jagoron Jatrapala Utsav 2023", kicked off yesterday (November 2) with an inaugural ceremony at 6 pm at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

September 18, 2023
September 18, 2023

European Film Festival commences in Bangladesh

A five-day European Film Festival has begun encompassing films from Bangladesh and Europe. The festival commenced with the screening of the Dutch movie “Mally Can Fly” at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy's National Theater in Dhaka, yesterday evening.