Responding to the demand of avid art lovers, the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) has extended the 19th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh 2022 for one week. The biennale will now welcome its visitors till January 13. The closing ceremony of the exhibition was held at BSA's National Theatre Hall Saturday. Presided over by BSA Director General Liaquat Ali Lucky, the event was joined by Speaker of the Parliament Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury as chief guest. State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid, Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Abul Monsur, and eminent artists Shahabuddin Ahmed and Monirul Islam were also present. Many enthusiastic art admirers and visitors were seen on the BSA premises yesterday on the Asian Art Biennale's last day. Both Khalid and Liaquat said they received multiple requests for an extension of the exhibition, but had to announce its conclusion. However, the next editions of this flagship event of the BSA will be held for two months, they added. "Despite the fact that the 19th Asian Art Biennale officially drew to a close, we decided to extend it for another week due to the demand of our art enthusiasts. The galleries will be accessible to the public until January 13. However, it will not be extended further, as we have other exciting projects in our schedule," BSA Public Relations Officer Hasan Mahmud told UNB Sunday. On December 8, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the month-long art extravaganza online. The exhibition is showcasing 649 pieces of art created by 493 artists from 114 nations, including 149 Bangladeshi artists.

At Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy's (BSA) National Theater Hall auditorium in the capital, the three-day festivities of the 40th Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammelan were inaugurated on Friday. Ekushey Padak-winning eminent educationist Syed Akram Hossain inaugurated the ceremonies of this flagship event of the Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammelan Parishad (JRSP).  The inaugural session of this exclusive convention, which has returned to the capital for the first time after the Covid-19 pandemic, began with a harmonious rendition of the Tagore song 'Apni Obosh Holi'. Some 40 of the JRSP members and alumni, including renowned influential and cultural personalities, then began the ceremony by lighting the mangal pradeep (lamp of welfare) together on the stage.  Hosted by thespian Tropa Majumdar, the event was presided over by the executive president of the National Rabindra Sangeet Sammelan Parishad, Atiur Rahman. The welcome remarks were delivered by Bulbul Islam, central general secretary of JRSP. "Our once-green world has turned blood red, and people must awaken their humanity, artistic sensibility, and compassion in order to save the earth and restore harmony to society. Music can be one of the majestic companions behind this awakening,” said Professor Syed Akram. Two special presentations of ‘Geeti Alekhya’ were performed on the opening day of the convention. Dr Atiur Rahman-written ‘Shampreetir Bangladesh’ was performed at the inaugural session, while Mofidul Hoque-written Liberation War-based 'Tomay Notun Kore Pabo' was performed in the evening session on the first day. The three-day convention is hosting a total of 700 artistes, organisers and cultural activists, and the inaugural day was observed with a youth competition, cultural segments and organisational activities. On Saturday, the festival is scheduled to feature a special seminar at 4 pm, featuring this year’s topic, 'The role of culture in creating a harmonious society'. Mofidul Haque, Liberation War Museum trustee and keynote speaker of the event, will deliver the lecture at the seminar which will be presided over by Sarwar Ali, while freedom fighter and cultural personality Nasiruddin Yousuff Bachchu and Professor Sadhan Ghosh will join as speakers. The evening will be observed with eminent singer Lily Islam-written ‘Geeti Alekkhya’ titled ‘Ananda-Sundor-Bishwo-Utsab’, which will be followed by several cultural segments, including songs, dance and poetry recitals.  

A special 3-day visual art show titled 'STIGMATIZED DAY' began at  Nandan Mancha of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) on Sunday, commemorating the August 21st grenade attack massacre. Fine Arts department of BSA organized the event with the support of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. Curated by artist Abhijit Chowdhury and co-curated by Sujon Mahahbub and Shubhra Talukder, the performance art programme is showcasing the graphic representation of the brutal Dhaka grenade attack which took place at an anti-terrorism rally organised by the Bangladesh Awami League on Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital on August 21st, 2004. Read:'BRAVEHEART’: Gallery Cosmos pays rich artistic tribute to Bangabandhu

The first edition of the Shilpo Bangla Art Exhibition was inaugurated Monday at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy's National Art Gallery. The exhibition, presented by Mahfuz Canvas and co-sponsored by Moon Calligraphy, is showcasing over 250 paintings, ranging from calligraphies to contemporary artworks. Ekushey Padak winning artist-sculptor Hamiduzzaman Khan inaugurated the exhibition. Mahfuz Canvas, an organisation founded by renowned international artist Mahfuzur Rahman, is the title sponsor of the event. Mahfuzur supported several online and offline art events and exhibitions in the past three years to provide self-taught artists of Bangladesh with a welcoming and encouraging international platform. The founders of Shilpo Bangla, calligraphy artist couple Sultana Mimi and Jamil Ahmed, want to offer a forum for Bangladeshi creative and energetic entrepreneurs. The Shilpo Bangla Art Exhibition will welcome visitors till June 30 from 11am to 7pm. Also read: 'Reminiscence of Dreams': Jogen Chowdhury's solo exhibition goes on

Reminiscing the legacy of the little magazine movement that gave rise to a new generation of writers in the country, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) lifted the curtain on a week-long little magazine exhibition at its National Art Gallery in Dhaka on Tuesday. The exhibition showcasing over 800 little magazines from across the country, features a wide range of diversified topics from different genres. In addition to the inauguration of the week-long exhibition, BSA also honoured eight editors of little magazines with the ‘Little Magazine Sammanona 2022’ awards. The inauguration event was joined by Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Md Akhtaruzzaman as the chief guest, while Bangla Academy folklore department Deputy Director and little magazine ‘Amitrakkhar’ editor Aminur Rahman Sultan and little magazine ‘Lok’ editor Aniket Shamim were present as discussants.  Presided over by BSA Director-General Liaquat Ali Lucky, the event was also joined by BSA Secretary Md Asaduzzaman who delivered the welcome speech, and writer Saikat Habib. The awards were handed over in two categories -- five awards in the central little magazine category, and three for the district and union-based little magazines. Read: My alphabet earned with blood, says Joy paying tribute to language martyrs Shahid Iqbal-edited ‘Chinho,’ Abdul Mannan Swapon-edited ‘Dhamani, Ejaz Yousufi-edited ‘Lyric,’ Mizanur Rahman Nasim-edited ‘Mananrekha’ and Obaed Akash-edited ‘Shaluk’ received the awards under the central little magazine category. Asaduzzaman Sharkar-edited ‘Mohakalgor’, published by Zila Shilpakala Academy Rajshahi, and Asit Baran Dash Gupta-edited ‘Surmakopot’, published by Zila Shilpakala Academy Sylhet, received the district-based awards and Upazila Shilpakala Academy Kamalganj in Moulvibazar, Sylhet, got the award under the union-based little magazine category for its publication titled ‘Aranyak’. The award-winning little magazines were selected by a jury composed of renowned researcher and Liberation War Museum trustee Mofidul Hoque, writer and translator Abdus Selim, and Professor Khaled Hossain. Every awardee under the central little magazine category received a crest, a certificate and Tk 50,000, while the awardees in the district and union-based categories received a crest, a certificate and Tk 25,000 each. The week-long little magazine exhibition will remain open for visitors till February 7 at gallery 6 of the National Art Gallery complex.

Marking the occasions of the Golden Jubilee of Independence and the Birth Centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) premiered 'Gonohotta Poribesh Theatre' (Genocide Environment Theatre) festival on Friday in 64 districts. Liaquat Ali Lucky, Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, inaugurated the festival at Meherpur Government College Campus at 6.30 p.m. State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain attended the inauguration event as the principal guest, while Meherpur Superintendent of Police Md Rafiul Alam attended as the special guest.

The 5th edition of Dhaka DocLab, an international documentary production project in Bangladesh, concluded with an online award-distribution ceremony on September 27, crowning ‘Devi’, produced by Subina Shrestha of Nepal, with the Best South Asian Project Award. Cosmos Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Cosmos Group, sponsored the Best South Asian Project Award. “We’re very happy to support Dhaka DocLab since its inception. This is going to be a powerful platform to initiate positive changes in our community and in our country,” said Enayetullah Khan, Chairman of the Cosmos Foundation.  Read: ‘An Insignia of a Forced Winter’ wins Best Project at Dhaka DocLab-2020

Observing the 75th birthday of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) organized a handful of programmes including exhibitions and cultural events on Tuesday. The celebrations began with a national children's painting competition, which BSA hosted across the country. Hundreds of children and teens from various educational institutions in Dhakaparticip ated  in the painting competition at the National Art Gallery. A month-long special exhibition based on the exclusive art camp titled “Sheikh Hasina: Bishwajoyi Nondito Neta'' which was participated by 75 renowned female painters and artists of the country featuring the life and works of PM Sheikh Hasina, was inaugurated by BSA Director General Liaquat Ali Lucky at 5 pm at the National Art Gallery. Read: Bangladesh celebrates Hasina’s 75th birthday The month-long exhibition is open for everyone from 11 am to 8 pm till October 27. Visitors can explore the exhibition maintaining adequate health guidelines. A book-launching ceremony was organized at the National Theatre Hall auditorium at 6:30 pm, as part of the celebration programmes. BSA DG Lucky unveiled the publication of the book titled “Manobotar Jononi Sheikh Hasina: Nibedito Pongktimala”, which contains 75 selected poems written by 75 noted poets of the country. Following the book-launching event, a special cultural night was held at the venue participated by renowned artists and performers. Singers Sabbir Zaman, Homayra Bashir, Ronti Das, Abu Bakar Siddiqui, Romana Islam, Shafi Mandal and BSA Baul team performed songs at the event. BSA dance artistes showcased special dance performances and its acrobatic team enthralled the audiences with game shows, while poet Tarik Sujat and Jharna Rahman recited special poems dedicated to the Prime Minister. Read: Hasina’s birthday celebrated amid mass vaccination campaign Earlier, a 7-day online event including discussions and cultural programme was organized from September 20-26 at BSA’s Facebook page and YouTube channel, featuring the life and activities of the Prime Minister. Marking her birthday, more than 600 children and cultural activists across the country made a one-minute greeting video each, of which 75 videos have been posted on the academy's Facebook page and the rest will be phased out on the academy's Facebook page and YouTube channel, according to its Public Relations Officer Hasan Mahmud.

Upholding the glory of the bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and India, the High Commissioner of India in Dhaka Vikram Doraiswami stated on Saturday that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Mahatma Gandhi,recognised as the fathers of their respective nations, shared similar political philosophy and ideology during their individual journeys. The Indian High Commissioner made the remarks at the inauguration ceremony of Bangabandhu-Bapu Digital Exhibition at the National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) on Saturday. “This unique, interactive digital exhibition commemorates not just Bangladesh’s 50 years of Liberation, but this also commemorates the striking similarities between the two great leaders. This exhibition showcases their struggles in their individual journeys and their history-making political philosophies that led the creation of two nations - India and Bangladesh,” the Indian envoy said in his speech as the guest of honor. He added, “This is a very special moment for us to open the exhibition for the public after the lockdown restrictions of the ongoing pandemic, and we look forward to our friends from Bangladesh and India to visit the exhibition and explore the two iconic leaders’ lives and journey through the power of interactive multimedia.” Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni joined the exhibition as its chief guest, while State Minister for Culture K.M Khalid alongside HE Doraiswami joined the digital exhibition as its guests of honor. Md Abul Monsur, Secretary to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs chaired the inauguration ceremony while Liaqat Ali Lucky, director general, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, delivered the welcome speech to the audience. Thanking India for arranging the exhibition, Dr Dipu Moni said, “Bangladesh and India have always shared strong mutual friendship and bilateral relationship, rooted from the greatness of our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and India’s Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. This interactive exhibition is just another example of this wonderful relationship, showcasing the eventful journey of two iconic leaders.” Read: Doraiswami recalls Bangabandhu’s close association with eminent Indian personalities

To mark the 75th birthday of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a special two-day art camp was inaugurated at the National Art Gallery plaza of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) Wednesday. Seventy-five renowned female painters and artists of the country have joined the art camp titled "Sheikh Hasina: Bishwajoyi Nondito Neta.'' Portraying the eventful and historic life of Sheikh Hasina, eminent artists and art scholars – including Kanak Chanpa Chakma, Farida Zaman, Rokeya Sultana, Naima Haque, Ivy Zaman, Farzana Ahmed Shanta, and Syed Mahbuba Karim Mini – are participating in the camp. READ: Weeklong exhibition on Rohingya memories to begin Sunday