The two-day 'Sharadiya Cultural Festival 2025' began on Tuesday evening at the open-air stage of Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital, under the initiative of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and management of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA).

The inaugural programme started at 7:15 pm, followed by the staging of the traditional Jatra pala 'Mahishasur Mardini, Devi Durga' at 7:45 pm. The play was written by Ujjal Kumar Bepari and performed by Mata Majjulika Religious Theatre Group from Pirojpur.

The opening session was presided over by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Director General Sheikh Rezauddin Ahmed, popularly known as poet Rezauddin Stalin. Key remarks were made by Md Harun-or-Rashid, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Ramesh Dutta, Convener of the Bangladesh Puja Celebration Front, and Gazi Belayet, President of the Bangladesh Jatra Shilpi Sangstha.

The welcome address was delivered by Deepak Kumar Goswami, Director of BSA’s Theatre and Film Department. Despite afternoon rainfall, a lively audience gathered at Suhrawardy Udyan to enjoy the performance of the traditional Jatra.

In his speech, BSA DG Sheikh Rezauddin Ahmed said the festival is a reflection of Bangladesh’s inclusive spirit.

“On Maha Ashtami, as we stage ‘Mahishasur Mardini, Devi Durga’, we envision a harmonious, non-communal Bangladesh free of divisions. We dream of a society where no one will dare ask whether you are Hindu, Muslim or Christian, because we will all stand together as one,” he said, adding that this year marks the first time such a Durga Puja festival is being organized under the ministry’s initiative.

The Jatra featured performances by Ujjal Kumar Bepari, Ranjit Halder, Rebati Ranjan Majumder, Pramath Ranjan Gomosta, Probir Bepari, Sanjoy Biswas, Sudeb Mondal, Himangshu Howlader, Amal Halder, Manik Boral, Bimal Baidya, Dipak Howlader, Sourav Halder, Md Selim, Nirmal Chandra Dey, Goutam Das, Khokan Biswas (Nurhimlal Biswas), Mukti Chakraborty, Janaki Roy, Shimu Debnath, Md Habib, Rahim Mia, Md Robiul, Bijon Kanti Howlader, Jyoti Roy and others.

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The closing day of the festival will be held on Wednesday (Oct 1) from 6:30 pm to 9 pm at BSA’s National Theatre Hall (Nandan Mancha). The programme will begin with a traditional Dhak-Dhol performance by 50 artistes, followed by 'Mangalik Nritya' by Spandan dance troupe.

Noted singers Anima Roy, Debolina Sur Dola, Rituraj, and Sinthi Saha will present solo and group performances, featuring popular folk and contemporary songs such as “Oi Ason Tole Matir Pore,” “Amra Milechi Aaj Mayer Dake,” “Bagiyechay Bulbuli Tui,” “Behula,” “O Rongboti,” “Fagunero Mohonay,” and others.

This year, under the initiative of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and management of BSA, several new cultural festivals have already been introduced, including 'Chand Raater Anondo Onusthan' on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha, and a special 'Buddha Purnima Cultural Festival 2025'.