United News of Bangladesh

Chhayanaut celebrated the Bangla New Year  on Monday morning with a vibrant cultural event held under the ancient banyan tree at Ramna Batamul. Centered around the theme “Amar Mukti Aloy Aloy” (My Liberation Lies in Light), the traditional celebration began shortly after sunrise at 6 am and concluded at 8:30 am. Over 150 male and female performers participated in the programme, which featured a total of 24 performances—including 9 group songs, 12 solo performances, and 3 recitations. Nation celebrating Pahela Baishakh with festive fervour The event showcased songs celebrating light, nature, humanity, and patriotism. A semi-circular stage, measuring 72 feet in length and 30 feet in width, was set up from east to west beneath the banyan tree, hosting the colorful performances. Chhayanaut Executive President Dr Sarwar Ali delivered the New Year’s greetings during the programme. The concluding performance was the national anthem performed collectively by the participating artists. Preparations for ‘Ananda Shobhajatra’ nearing completion amid enthusiasm Male performers wore maroon panjabis paired with white pajama trousers, while the female performers were dressed in off-white sarees with maroon borders.  

Cultural organisation Chhayanaut is set to welcome the Bengali New Year 1432 with its 58th edition of the traditional Pahela Baishakh celebrations at Ramna Batamul in the capital, upholding the spirit of light, liberation, and cultural unity amid growing global and national challenges. The announcement came at a press conference held at Chhayanaut Sangskriti Bhaban in the capital’s Dhanmondi on Friday afternoon. Chhayanaut Executive President Dr Sarwar Ali, Vice President Khairul Anam Shakil, General Secretary Laisa Ahmed Lisa, Joint Secretary Partha Tanvir Naved, and Jayanta Roy were present at the briefing. "This will be our very first Pahela Baishakh event without our recently deceased dearest President Dr Sanjida Khatun. In this year's celebration of togetherness, we urge everyone to keep her in your best wishes," Dr Sarwar Ali said at the press conference. Despite witnessing the erosion of values both at home and abroad, the organization believes in hope and unity. “We dream of togetherness and walking hand in hand. The day will return when we will cherish life as a community, and the journey towards a better world will succeed with love for humanity and the earth,” said General Secretary Laisa Ahmed Lisa. This year’s theme for Chhayanaut’s celebration is “Amar Mukti Aloy Aloy” (My Liberation in Light), and the event will commence at dawn with a performance of Raag Bhairavi. The two-hour-long cultural program will feature a total of 24 performances, including nine group songs, 12 solo renditions, and three recitations. ICCR celebrates 75 years of cultural diplomacy in Dhaka The program has been thoughtfully curated with songs of love for light, nature, and humanity, along with patriotic and inspirational compositions to awaken self-awareness and collective consciousness—symbolizing a call for enlightenment and liberation of the Bengali community. The entire event will be broadcast live on Chhayanaut’s official YouTube channel (youtube.com/@chhayanautbd), Facebook page (facebook.com/chhayanautbd), and on Bangladesh Television (BTV). Law enforcement agencies and the Public Works Department are working diligently to ensure safety and discipline throughout the event. Volunteers and selected members of the Thirteenth Hussars Open Rover Group are also contributing tirelessly alongside Chhayanaut organizers. The overall stage and event design has been coordinated by Chhayanaut alumnus Sujan Chowdhury. Demonstrating all of its vibrant and festive offerings marking the maiden dawn of the new Bengali year 1432, Chhayanaut called for sincere cooperation from all in making this year’s celebration a success.

The 93rd birth anniversary of cultural icon and recently deceased Chhayanaut President Sanjida Khatun was celebrated at the Chhayanaut Auditorium, Dhanmondi in the capital on Friday night through a family-organised commemorative event. The event paid tribute to the uncompromising cultural personality through an evening of performances featuring her favourite songs, verses, and reflections on her life and legacy. As a central feature of the tribute, several of Sanjida Khatun’s songs which were originally recorded in her own voice, projected throughout the event. These emotionally resonant renditions served as a focal point of the programme, accompanied by live performances from a host of esteemed artistes who paid homage through music and spoken word. The evening began with the projection of "Akash Hote Akash Pothe" in Sanjida Khatun’s voice, followed by a group performance of "Din Shesher Ranga Mukul." Sayantani Twisha then recited a passage, after which another of Sanjida Khatun’s songs, "Amar Ekti Kotha Banshi Jane," was presented. The programme continued with another group song "Phul Bole Dhonno Ami," followed by solo musical performances such as "Dinanto Belay" by Fahmida Khatun and "Sokal Belar Aloy Baje" by Mahmuda Khatun, sisters of Sanjida Khatun. They also shared their heartfelt memories of their legendary singer. Another prerecorded rendition of Sanjida Khatun song "Jodi Prem Dile Na Prane" was also then featured, and audience members were treated to a variety of performances throughout the evening, including "Asa Jawar Pother Dhare" by a group ensemble, "Prothom Prodip Jwalo" by Khairul Anam Shakil, and the projection of "Amar Bhubon To Aaj Holo Kangal" in Sanjida Khatun’s voice. Other notable performances included the group song "Tomar Surer Dhara," "Tumi Je Cheye Acho" by Selina Malek Chowdhury, and the recitation "Pran, Jonmodin" by Jayanto Chattopadhyay. Iffat Ara Dewan presented the song and narration "Shraboner Dharar Moto Poruk Jhoro," followed by the projection of "Jete Dao Gelo Jara." The programme also featured a group rendition of "Jibon Amar Cholchhe Temoni Bhabe" and "Ar Amare Maris Na Ma" by Chandana Majumdar. A heartfelt remembrance speech was delivered by Chhayanaut Executive President Dr Sarwar Ali before the evening concluded with the group songs "E Shudhu Olosh Maya," "Modhur Tomar Shesh Je Na Pai," and the final projected track of Sanjida Khatun’s voice, "Ebar Dukkho Amar Oshim Pathar." The event served as a deeply moving celebration of Sanjida Khatun’s life and legacy, reflecting her unwavering dedication to culture, truth, and the spirit of Bengali identity. Dr Sanjida Khatun passed away on March 25, Tuesday, at the age of 92.  

People from all walks of life, including artists and cultural activists, thronged the Chhayanaut Bhaban on Wednesday noon to pay their final respects to Dr Sanjida Khatun, one of the founders and the immediate-past President of Chhayanaut. A legendary figure in Bangladesh’s cultural arena, Dr Sanjida Khatun was known for her multifaceted contributions as a singer, writer, researcher, organizer, musicologist, and teacher. Her profound impact left researchers and admirers in awe, as no single identity could define her legacy. The line of mourners extended beyond the building, reaching Dhanmondi 27. Cultural organizations that Dr Khatun helped shape — including Chhayanaut, Nalanda, and Kanthashilon — along with many other prominent groups such as Rabindra Sangeet Sammilan Parishad, Shurer Dhara, Bangladesh Gram Theatre, Dhaka Theatre, Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation, Rabindra Sangeet Shilpi Sangstha and others gathered to honor her with floral tributes, alongside the teachers, students, guardians, and individuals from various sectors. Film fraternity bids adieu to Prabir Mitra following Islamic last rites Cultural personalities including filmmaker Morshedul Islam, singer Khurshid Alam, theater personalities Ramendu Majumdar, Tropa Majumdar, and M Hamid; artist and Fine Arts Professor Abul Barq Alvi; film educator Manzar-e-Hasin Murad; President of the Bangladesh Dancers' Association Minu Haque; recitation artist Bhaskar Bandopadhyay; Professor Shafi Ahmed; theater director Nayla Azad Nupur; singers Chandana Majumdar, Adity Mohsin, Shaheen Samad, and Bulbul Islam; General Secretary of Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation Kamal Bayezid; dancer Shamim Ara Nipa; First Secretary (Culture) at the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh Ann Mary George; film activist Belayet Hossain Mamun and others. Speaking on the occasion, Chhayanaut Vice President Mofidul Hoque said, "The massive celebration of the Bengali New Year at Ramna Batamul, which has become an emotional symbol for millions, was made possible because of Sanjida Khatun. She traveled across the country, taught music, researched, and loved people — she will live on through her extraordinary contributions." At around 1:15 pm, Dr Khatun's body was taken from Chhayanaut to the Department of Bangla at Dhaka University, where she had served as a Professor for many years. Later, at 2:30 pm, her coffin was taken to the Central Shaheed Minar, where people from all walks of life gathered to bid a final farewell. Adieu, Badruddoza Chowdhury: Resting in eternal peace Following the tribute at the Central Shaheed Minar, her body was transferred to a hospital mortuary. Her family has not yet announced the details of the next formalities. Dr Sanjida Khatun passed away at Square Hospital on Tuesday at the age of 92. She had been undergoing treatment for kidney complications and other age-related ailments for a week.

Renowned cultural personality and President of Chhayanaut, Dr Sanjida Khatun, passed away at Square Hospital in the capital on Tuesday. She was 92. Chhayanaut confirmed the news through a press release, stating that she had been admitted to the hospital for a week. She had been suffering from kidney complications and other age-related ailments and required regular dialysis. Her body will be taken to Chhayanaut Sangskriti Bhaban in the capital's Dhanmondi at 12:30 pm on Wednesday (March 26) for people to pay their last respects. Born on April 4, 1933, Sanjida Khatun came from a distinguished family. Her father, National Professor Kazi Motahar Hossain, was a renowned scholar, while her mother, Sajeda Khatun, was a homemaker. She was also the sister of eminent writer Kazi Anwar Hossain and the wife of noted Rabindra Sangeet exponent Wahidul Haque. Sanjida was a trailblazing figure in Bangladesh’s cultural arena — a Rabindra Sangeet singer, researcher, author, musicologist, and educator. She was one of the founding members of Chhayanaut in the early 1960s and later served as its President until her demise. She also co-founded the Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammilan Parishad and served as the President of Nalanda, an innovative child education institution. Sanjida completed her BA Honours from Dhaka University in 1955 and obtained her Master’s degree from Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, in 1957. In 1978, she earned her PhD on the philosophical essence of Rabindra Sangeet. She began her teaching career at Eden College, later teaching at Carmichael College and the Department of Bangla at Dhaka University until her retirement. During the 1971 Liberation War, Sanjida was one of the founders of the Bangladesh Mukti Sangrami Shilpi Sangstha, which played a crucial role in boosting the morale of freedom fighters through cultural performances. Throughout her illustrious career, she was honoured with numerous prestigious awards, including the Ekushey Padak, Bangla Academy Literary Award, Nazrul Gold Medal, Rabindra Smriti Award, and Rabindra Tattwacharya title. In 2021, the Government of India conferred upon her the Padma Shri award. She was also honoured with the Desikottama Honorary D.Litt and many other national and international accolades. Chhayanaut expressed deep sorrow over her passing, stating that her contributions to the cultural landscape of Bangladesh will be remembered forever.

Several renowned cultural organisations hosted various events across the country to celebrate the 52nd Victory Day of Bangladesh with festivities. Organisations and institutions, namely Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), Chhayanaut, Liberation War Museum (LWM), Sammilita Sangskritik Jote, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigosthi and others hosted cultural shows and discussions at different venues on Friday and Saturday. The festivities in the city began with a three-day ‘Bijoymela’ organised by Bangla Academy on December 15 at its Nazrul Mancha. State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid inaugurated the event, which was comprised of a seminar on December 15 at the Abdul Karim Sahitya Bisharad Auditorium. Bangla Academy staff alongside its Director General poet Nurul Huda placed floral wreaths at the National Martyrs Memorial on Victory Day, and the ‘Bijoymela’ was concluded on Saturday. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) staff and artistes also placed floral wreaths at the National Martyrs’ Memorial and organised several cultural events throughout Friday. The cultural shows comprised patriotic songs, recitations, dance and a special performance segment with child artists at the Nandan Mancha on the BSA, featuring child artistes from Sporsho Braille, and a dance recital by differently abled children’s troupe Karishma Cultural Group. Returning after two years since its maiden edition in 2015, cultural institution Chhayanaut organised a programme at the Dhaka University Central Playground featuring solo and group songs, recitations and dance recitals. The event was on a hiatus due to Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and Dhaka University Birth Centenary events in 2021.  Read more: Cultural orgs celebrate Victory Day amid festivities Chhayanaut artistes performed eight group songs and two solo songs compiled with dance recitals, and recitations by Jayanto Chattopadhyay at the event. The festivity concluded at 4:31 pm with a group song performance along with the audience, marking the exact moment when the Pakistan Military surrendered to the allied forces of Bangladesh and India in 1971.

Cultural institution Chhayanaut has postponed the event to celebrate the rainy season, named after its founding president eminent poet Sufia Kamal, after taking stock of the Covid-19 situation in the country. The event was scheduled to take place Friday at the Chhayanaut Sangskriti Bhaban in the capital's Dhanmondi and be broadcast on Chhayanaut's official Facebook page and YouTube channel. The event "Sufia Kamal Smarok Borshar Onushthan" (Sufia Kamal Memorial Monsoon Celebration) was initiated to mark the 111th birth anniversary of the legendary poet. READ: Chhayanaut pays tribute to Rabindra Sangeet legend Mita Haque "Due to the recent surge in the Covid-19 case test positivity rate, the Sufia Kamal Memorial Monsoon Celebration which was scheduled to be held Friday, Ashar 10, 1429, has been postponed," Chhayanaut General Secretary Laisa Ahmed Lisa said. "We plan to organise this event next month, the Bengali month of Shraban, if the situation improves." Sufia Kamal established Chhayanaut at the end of 1961.

After a long Covid-induced hiatus, leading cultural organisation Chhayanaut will welcome back live audiences to its Dhanmondi auditorium with its traditional music festival on Thursday. The two-day festival -- Shuddhasangeet Utsab 1428 -- will be held at the auditorium of Chhayanaut Sangskriti Bhaban in the capital's Dhanmondi area. This year's festival has been dedicated to Chhayanaut Sangeet Bidyayatan teachers, Madan Gopal Das and Satindranath Halder. Read: Chhayanaut pays tribute to Rabindra Sangeet legend Mita Haque The festival is set to welcome the listeners at 4.30 pm on Thursday. Noted music maestroes and singers, including Khairul Anam Shakil, Rezoan Ali, Shekhar Mandal and Abhijit Kundu, will perform at the festival on Thursday till 10.30 pm. On Friday, the first session of the concluding day's programme will begin at 9 am and continue till 12 pm, which will feature the performances of Alauddin Miah, Bijan Chandra Mistry and more. The second and concluding session will be held from 4.30 pm till 10.30 pm, featuring Asit Dey, Arpita Chakrabarti and others. Read: Chhayanaut cancels Pahela Baishakh festivities at Ramna, goes back to virtual celebration with BTV Chhayanaut restricted its all in-house live events back in early 2020 when Covid-19 first hit Bangladesh. It has been broadcasting different cultural programmes on its Facebook group and YouTube channel since then.

Country's prominent cultural institution Chhayanaut arranged an online cultural tribute on Saturday night, in respect of late Ekushey Padak winning late Rabindra Sangeet singer Mita Haque. Titled 'He Bhubonomohini', the virtual programme broadcasted on Chhayanaut's Facebook group and YouTube channel, was a collective tribute including remembrance talks, recitations and song performances of noted artists and cultural personalities towards Haque, who was Chhayanaut's one of the integral parts through her lifelong bonding with the Institution. The singer, who was also the unit head of the Department of Rabindra Sangeet at Chhayanaut, passed away on April 11 after losing her battle with COVID-19. Chhayanaut Secretary General Laisa Ahmed Lisa opened the programme with her introductory remembrance speech, which was followed by other noted solo speakers including Chhayanaut President Sanjida Khatun, artist Nasehun Ameen, Liberation War Museum trustee Mofidul Hoque, artist Sushmita Ahmed Borna, Asim Dutta, Mohua Monjuri Sunanda, Hasan Arif, Sharmila Bandopadhyay, Bulbul Islam, Enamul Haque Omar, Ahmad Mazhar, Bangladesh Women's Federation President Dr Fouzia Moslem, Durbadal Chattopadhyay and former Minister for Cultural Affairs and eminent thespian Asaduzzaman Noor. "Mita was surprisingly active with strong personality since her childhood whom I never saw getting stumbled in her ways. She was my brother-in-law's daughter, so I got to see her thriving through every barrier of learning, as she was always a natural learner," Chhayanaut President Sanjida Khatun lauded Mita Haque, sharing some of her fond memories regarding music with the talented artist. Also read: Eminent Rabindra Sangeet singer Mita Haque passes away "As an active cultural organizer throughout her life, Mita was naturally possessed with personality and individualism. She was flamboyant, she was a natural performer and organizer, and we have always been inspired through her activities," Liberation War Museum trustee Mofidul Hoque spoke highly on her skills and activities as an organizer and one of the lifelong companions of Chhayanaut. Eminent thespian and former Minister of Cultural Affairs Asaduzzaman Noor reminisced the Rabindra Sangeet maestro, saying: "Mita was already a family friend, and our bonding got even stronger after her marriage with Khaled Khan who was a pioneer thespian. She was a thriving force behind establishing an enriched cultural practice in Bangladesh, and her contribution will forever be remembered through her admirers, colleagues and us." The event also showcased some of the notable performances of the late Rabindra Sangeet maestro, alongside poetry recitals and song presentations of her cultural colleagues. Artists including Mita Haque's daughter Farhin Khan Jayeeta, alongside artists Sushmita Ahmed Borna, Abhaya Dutta, Iffat Ara Dewan, Bulbul Islam, Sharmeen Sathee Islam, ATM Jahangir, Tania Mannan, Khairul Anam Shakil, Elora Ahmed Shukla, Suman Chowdhury, and Laisa Ahmed Lisa performed several songs from the genres of Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Sangeet and others. Born into a musical family on September 6, 1962, the noted artiste received her musical training from maestros including her paternal uncle and late musicologist Waheedul Haq, current Chhayanaut president Sanjida Khatun and musician Ustad Mohammad Hossain Khan, to name a few. She has been a regular performer in the Bangladesh TV and radio since 1977 and was one of the top-ranked performers of both National Radio and Television Besides her esteemed singing career, Mita Haque was the founder director and teacher of her music school Shurotirtha. She has served as the head of the Department of Rabindra Sangeet at Chhayanaut, Dhaka and also as the former general secretary and incumbent vice-president of the Rabindra Sangeet Shommelon Parishad. For her remarkable contribution to the music industry, she was conferred with Ekushey Padak in 2020 and the Rabindra Puraskar from Bangla Academy in 2017.

The excitement and ethusiasm for the birth anniversary celebrations of Kazi Nazrul Islam, the national poet of Bangladesh, have been subdued this year too due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Tuesday marks the 122nd birth anniversary of the revolutionary poet, considered one of the greatest literary figures in the history of Bengali literature. To observe the glorious day amid festivities, several government organisations and different cultural platforms have chalked out separate programmes with cultural performances and discussions based on the life and works of Nazrul.  Read: Chhayanaut's 4-day virtual tribute to Nazrul concludes Covid has led several organisations -- Bangladesh Nazrul Sangeet Sangstha, Kabi Nazrul Institute, Chhayanaut, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) and Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC) -- to arrange the events virtually. Some chose to follow the traditional route. On behalf of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, State Minister KM Khalid placed a floral wreath on the grave of Kazi Nazrul on the Dhaka University campus in the morning. Office-bearers of Bangla Academy, Kabi Nazrul Institute, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy followed suit. Bangladesh Television (BTV) aired a recorded programme marking the occasion. The programme was later aired by several private news channels. Kabi Nazrul Institute arranged a discussion and cultural event in the morning, which was chaired by National Professor Rafiqul Islam, Chairman of the Kabi Nazrul Institute Trustee Board and the newly appointed Chairman of Bangla Academy. Read:Bangla Academy Director General Habibullah Sirajee passes away The event took place at the seminar hall of Kabi Nazrul Institute and was joined by Khilkhil Kazi, a member of the Kabi Nazrul Institute Trustee Board and granddaughter of the poet. The Institute will also air a documentary on the revered poet at 7 pm on its Facebook page.  An hour later, Chhayanaut will broadcast a special cultural programme, titled Shantir Joy Hok, on its YouTube channel and Facebook page, featuring its noted performers. Similarly, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy is scheduled to stream a cultural programme live on its official Facebook page at 3 pm. Bangladesh Nazrul Sangeet Sangstha will stream a live cultural programme, titled Durjoy Moha Ahoban Tobo, on its Facebook page at 7 pm. Read: Jaago Nari: Arnob's tryst with Nazrul geeti IGCC is set to organise a special event, titled 'Nazrul Jayanti-2021: A Humble Tribute to Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam on his Birth Anniversary' with performances by renowned artists of India and Bangladesh. This event will be streamed live on its Facebook page at 7.30 pm. Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University (JKKNIU) in Trishal, Mymensingh, is organising a three-day virtual event to celebrate the birth anniversary of the national poet from May 25 to May 27, scheduled to be aired from its official Facebook page.  Besides, other cultural bodies are observing the day with discussions and cultural activities across the country.