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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
Now, after a significant shift in the political landscape, marked by the student-led July Uprising that led to the fall of the Awami League government, Teerondaz Repertory has finally been given the green light to return to the stage at Shilpakala.
The Department of Theatre and Performance Studies at Dhaka University is set to honour renowned Bangladeshi playwright Islam Uddin Palakar with the prestigious Natyajon Shommanona 2024 for his lifelong contribution to the nation’s indigenous theatre.
Young artists have utilised their creativity to address pressing issues such as inequality, gender-based violence, and the need to challenge outdated societal norms. Through their powerful work, they convey a strong commitment to driving change and transforming individuals, communities, and society as a whole.
Munier Chowdhury is the one behind the nation receiving such a great actor. He, who encouraged Ferdousi Majumdar to act, unfortunately, couldn’t see his sister’s success. “That saddens me the most. My last memory of him is from 1971 when we had moved across the border (to India). Many people had advised him to leave as well, but he would say, ‘Why should I go? I haven’t harmed anyone.’ I remember his words very clearly. It was for those very words that he was cruelly murdered. I never even got to see his body.”
Jamil Ahmed’s remarks, although unofficial, have ignited outrage within the cultural community, with many interpreting it as a dangerous precedent.
Jamil Ahmed confirmed that this was not an official directive. However, his comments have sparked a social media backlash, with many theatre artists criticising the suggestion. Numerous posts have emerged condemning Jamil’s stance, with some also alleging that fellow veteran actor Ferdousi Majumdar had been given similar advice.
The prestigious Munier Choudhury Award will be bestowed upon the distinguished stage actor and singer Shimul Yousuf, while the Mohammad Zakaria Memorial Award will be awarded to Jahangir Alam, a talented actor from the troupe Prachyanat, reads a press release.
Reaching the 3rd level of Bengal Shilpalay, the first art piece greeting me in the lift lobby with its unique appearance was "Ria Moni", a tower constructed with children's toys. Created by Afsana Sharmin, this sculpture is a memorial for the six-year-old Riya Gope, who was shot dead on her apartment's rooftop during the Student Against Discrimination (SAD) Movement, leaving her family devastated. An intimidating installation with bamboo, sharp objects, water lilies, and severed doll parts is her way of visualising the movement.
For his final act, Dutt chose to turn to William Shakespeare, reimagining “King Lear” in a contemporary context, which he titled “Aro Ekta Lear” (Another Lear).
As I stepped into the Central Shaheed Minar late in the afternoon, I was greeted with the jovial and embracing atmosphere of feminists from all corners of the city— and perhaps even beyond. Most were decked out in orange and red sarees, seemingly in line with a theme for the day. Some were even in work mode, going live on social media platforms to share updates on behalf of their organisations.
With a visionary mission to elevate Bangladeshi art to the global stage, Platforms Gallery is gearing up for its inaugural appearance at the prestigious Tokyo International Art Fair, set to take place on November 29 and 30. The works of three Bangladeshi artists—Auntora Mehrukh Azad, Fakhrul Islam Mazumder Shakil, and Tariqul Islam Herok—will be showcased at this global event.
