Marking the prestigious occasion, BSA organized several programmes throughout the day.
A special exhibition was inaugurated from 3pm at the National Art Gallery's first floor, featuring all the notable activities under all departments and sections of BSA since 1974.
500 Students who are enrolled in 14 departments of BSA including flute, violin, sitar, sarod, staff notation and piano, Kathak dance, Bharatanatyam, Gauria, Odissi and the rest showcased their talents through attending mock classes in BSA field from 4 pm onwards, as part of the special segment titled 'Sangskritir Pathshala' (School of Culture).
The founding anniversary seminar took place at the Academy's 'Nandan Mancha' on 5.30 pm, joined by the Parliamentary standing committee of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs member Asim Kumar Ukil as the chief guest. Presided over by the Director General of BSA, Liaquat Ali Lucky, the seminar was also joined by BSA Secretary Badrul Anam Bhuiyan.
A musical event took place followeding the seminar, featuring performers of BSA and popular band Spandan.
Founded on February 19, 1974 by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, BSA has been fostering and promoting the arts and culture of Bangladesh ever since its foundation.
Being the only national institution of cultural practice in Bangladesh, BSA was established by a special law in order to study and develop the arts in all the districts and upazilas of Bangladesh. Dr Mustafa Noor-Ul- Islam was the first Director General of the Academy.
Currently there are six departments in the Academy- the department of Arts, department of Drama and Film, department of Music, Dance and Recreation, department of Research and Publication, department of Training and department of Production. All these departments are directed by six directors, the highest executive officer of the Academy is the Director General, appointed by the Government. The current Director General Liaquat Ali Lucky has been operating his duties since April 2011.
In order to spread the cultural activities, the District Shilpakala Academy has been established in five districts of the country. In each district there is a Cultural Officer who runs the activities of the District Art Academy. Currently its activities extend to the upazila.
With a state-of-the-art gallery building, a dedicated theater building, a dedicated music, dance and recitation building and a training building in the compound- BSA frequently organizes seminars and ceremonies, along with cultural events such as regular theatrical productions, musical recitations and dance performances, painting or photography exhibitions and a lot of other exciting, essential programmes in the service of arts and culture.