Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) lifted the curtain to its flagship ‘Jatra Festival’s 2024 edition on Friday at the open stage (Mukto Moncho) of Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital, aiming to bring back vibrancy to the cultural arena of the country. Organised by the Theater and Film Department of the academy, the first day of the 7-day festival was joined by thousands of spectators, celebrating the traditional medium of mass entertainment in Bangladesh. The opening ceremony was joined by Israfil Majumdar, a participant in the student-led mass revolution, as the chief guest, while eminent Jatra artist Anima Dey attended as a special guest. Cultural Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul also joined the inaugural show with his family. Faiz Zahir, Director of the BSA Theatre and Film Department, delivered the welcome speech at the programme, presided over by the BSA Director General Dr Syed Jamil Ahmed. M A Mannan, General Secretary of Jatra Shilpa Malik Samiti, also spoke at the ceremony. The Story of a Rock: Bangladeshi - American Zak Mir's debut film premiered in Washington “Bangladesh Shilpkala Academy believes that the practice of art is at the centre of public life. We have organised this Jatrapala as one of the mediums of artistic practice and keeping in mind the tradition of entertainment of the rural masses, and we want you all to stand by the Jatra artistes,” Dr Jamil said at the event. Outlining the budget deficiency in the culture sector, Dr Jamil said that the national budget is about Tk 8 lakh crores, whereas the allocation to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs is only Tk 778 crores. He requested the government to contribute more towards the cultural sector. After the inaugural speeches, the first show of the seven Jatrapala performances titled ‘Nihoto Golap’ was staged at 7 pm. Presented by Surovi Opera, the Jatrapala, directed by Kabir Khan, portrayed a social tragedy-based storyline. Open to all, this year’s Jatra Festival will continue till November 7.

The 19th edition of the Asian Art Biennale, the longest-running international art biennale event in Asia, is now all set to welcome the art enthusiasts from home and beyond at the National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) on Thursday. The month-long art extravaganza will be inaugurated by Prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who will virtually raise the curtain of the biennale as the chief guest of the opening ceremony at the National Theatre Hall of the academy at 10 am. State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid will chair the inaugural ceremony, which will be joined by Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Abul Monsur, President of the jury board of the event artist Rafiqun Nabi and jury board Jaroslaw Suchan as special guests. Sponsored by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the 19th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh 2022 will include 649 pieces of art created by 493 artists from 114 nations, including 149 Bangladeshi artists. Three grand prizes and six honourable mention prizes will be announced at the opening ceremony. On Tuesday, a press briefing was held at the Seminar Room of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, where BSA Director General and chief coordinator of 19th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh 2022 Liaquat Ali Lucky shared the details of the long-awaited flagship event of the organisation with the media. “This 19th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh 2022 is dedicated to the country's founding President and the father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who envisioned and established Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy which has been organizing the Asian Art Biennale,  the largest art exhibition in Asia, for the past 40 years,” Lucky said at the press conference. The 19th edition will showcase two-dimensional and three-dimensional artworks such as paintings, prints, photographs, sculptures, performance arts, installations and new media arts, crafted and presented by the participating native and foreign artists who channelled their contemporary thoughts through these artworks, Lucky said at the press conference.  Read more: 19th Asian Art Biennale to begin March 1, 2021 Eyeing for a regular event like the previous years, BSA had to postpone the 19th edition several times, according to Lucky. “Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, we had to change the schedule for this biennale more than three times. Although we held other major exhibitions within the period, we are really happy to finally host this grand festivity at this time,” he said.  The 19th edition will feature a two-day international seminar titled ‘Home and Displacement’ with the participation of local and foreign artists, art critics, jury and observers. The seminar will be held on Friday and Saturday at the National Art Gallery Auditorium and Seminar Rooms of the National Theatre Building of the BSA. In addition to the main exhibition at BSA, the Bangladesh National Museum will display 42 artworks of Bangladeshi legendary master artists from its collection as a part of the 19th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh 2022. The international jurors of the 19th Asian Art Biennale - Iwona Blazwick from the UK, Jagath Weerasinghe from Sri Lanka, artist Nurseren Tor from Turkey, and Jaroslaw Suchan from Poland were also present at the press conference, alongside BSA Fine Arts Director Syeda Mahbuba Karim and BSA Secretary Salahuddin Ahmed. The 19th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh 2022 will welcome its visitors till January 7, every day from 11 am to 8 pm.    

Making a special return to the theatre for the first time in six years, popular actor Chanchal Chowdhury is all set to enthrall his audience once again for an exclusive staging of Aranyak Natyadal’s popular play “Rarang” at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) on Thursday. The National Award-winning actor will take part in the 199th and 200th shows of "Rarang" at BSA’s Experimental Theatre Hall on Thursday ( November 17) and Friday ( November 18), which will mark his first stage performance after 2016 when he last performed in Aranyak’s “Che’r Cycle”. Read more: Munshigiri: Another Epic Creation of Amitabh Reza Featuring Chanchal Chowdhury Talking to UNB about making his long-awaited comeback to the stage, Chanchal Chowdhury said, "Not appearing on stage on a regular basis does not imply that I am not involved with theatre activities. I started my career as a part of Aranyak, and I've always considered the stage as my home where I belong. As it will be my first time on stage in a long time, it brings me immense joy.” Chanchal Chowdhury started his career on stage before making a name for himself in television and movies. After getting admitted to Dhaka University’s Faculty of Fine Art as a student, he joined the Aranyak Natyadal theatre group and garnered acclaim for his performances in "Rarang" and "Songkranti," two of Aranyak’s most popular presentations. Read more: Web Series "Boli": Chanchal Chowdhury Again in an Unprecedented Character “I have performed in more than 150 shows of “Rarang” in my career, but it’s true that nowadays I cannot regularly take part in shows due to other commitments. It takes months to prepare for a new production, and theatre is such a place which deserves adequate time and attention. Although I cannot take part in theatre now on a regular basis, I try to attend whenever I can.” Eminent thespian, playwright and director Mamunur Rashid's play "Rarang" explores the uprising of the Santal community—an indigenous minority population living in the country's northern region—against the persecution of the British authority. The word “Rarang” is a Santal word meaning "a cry to rise," and the play's narrative recounts the life of Alfred Soren, a legendary leader of the Santals who died a heroic death defending his community from British tyranny. Read more: Chanchal Chowdhury like you've never seen him before Marking its 50-year celebration next year, Aranyak Natyadal will organise a special drama festival from January 24-February 1, according to the theatre group.

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) has announced that it will hand over the prestigious Shilpakala Padak to 20 recipients for the calendar years 2020 and 2019. A total of 18 cultural luminaries and two revered cultural organizations are receiving the award which will be handed over at a gala event at BSA on Thursday. BSA Director General Liaquat Ali Lucky shared the details of the award ceremony at a press conference held at the National Theater Hall seminar room on Tuesday. President Abdul Hamid will virtually join the event as the chief guest. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Abul Monsur will join the award ceremony at BSA’s National Theater Hall auditorium as the special guest, which will be presided over by State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid. The 2020 award winning cultural personalities are - Malay Bhowmick (dramatics), Mahmudur Rahman Benu (vocalist), Shahid Kabir (fine arts), Shameem Akhtar (film), Shibli Mohammad (dance), Shah Alam Sarkar (folklore), Shamsur Rahman (instrumental/shehnai), Shafiqul Islam Swapan (photography), Dahlia Ahmed (recitation), and Dinajpur Natya Samity (creative cultural unit). The recipients of 2019 award are - Masud Ali Khan (dramatics), Hasina Momtaz (vocalist), Abdul Mannan (fine arts), Anupam Hayat (film), Lubna Marium (dance), Shamvu Acharaya (folklore), Mohammad Moniruzzaman (instrumental - flute), M A Taher (photography), Hasan Arif (recitation), and cultural institution Chhayanaut (creative cultural unit). Each award recipient will get a gold medal, a cheque for Tk 1 lakh, and a certificate. The award has been conferred on deserving creative personalities for their continuous contributions in several fields of arts, culture, entertainment and literature since 2013. However, the award was not conferred in 2019 and the ceremony could not take place in 2020 due to global pandemic of COVID-19.

Reminiscing eminent music director and composer Alam Khan who passed away earlier this month, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) organised a special event on Sunday night.  The event featured discussion on the life and works of Khan, a legendary journeyman in the audio industry of Bangladesh.  Besides, several renowned artistes covered some of his famous and popular songs as a tribute to the late iconic composer. Read:Legendary music director Alam Khan is no more Eminent lyricist Gazi Mazharul Anwar, legendary singers including Syed Abdul Hadi, Khurshid Alam and Sabina Yasmin, music director-composer Sheikh Sadi Khan, composer Jahangir Hayath Khan, and Alam Khan’s two sons - Arman Khan and Adnan Khan, joined the discussion programme as special guests. BSA Director General Liaquat Ali Lucky presided over the discussion, while BSA Music Department Director Aftab Uddin Hablu and BSA Secretary Md Asaduzzaman delivered the opening remarks. After the discussion, several popular singers such as Khurshid Alam, Pantha Kanai, Ronty Das and others performed some of his most famous songs including "Ajke Nahoy Valobasho," Chander Sathe Ami Debo na Tomar Tulona," "Orey Neel Doria," "Ami Rajanigandha Ful-er Moto" and more. A record seven-time National Film Award-winning music director, Alam Khan passed away on July 8 at the age of 79.

Marking the ‘Election Day’ for two of the biggest associations of the entertainment industry in the country, television artists’ organization Actors Equity Bangladesh also held its third election on Friday at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) in the capital. The day-long voting closed at 5:30 pm at the National Music, Dance and Recitation Centre of BSA, which will determine the 21-member executive body for the term between 2022 and 2025. Read:18 artists, 2 organisations to receive Shilpakala Padak 2019, 2020 Since 9:30 am, the voting began at the academy maintaining strict security and COVID-19 protocol to avoid trespassing, although the protocol was lighter in comparison to the Film Artistes Association election which began on Friday at 9 am at Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) premises. A total of 48 candidates are contested for 21 posts in this year’s election, with the immediate-past General Secretary Ahsan Habib Nasim and actor Sahadat Hossain Nipu standing against each other as the two presidential candidates.

Poetry is one of the most significant parts of Bangladesh's arts and culture and recitation programmes need to be organised all over the country, Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud said Wednesday. "Poetry and recitation played a pivotal role during all of our major historical protests against oppressions, especially during the 1952 Language Movement and 1971 Liberation War. To foster the art of recitation, organisations like the Bangladesh Abrittishilpi Sangshad (BAS) and the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) can organise nationwide poetry recitation events regularly." The minister was addressing the recitation programme "Uchchakonthe Uchcharo Aj Manush Moheeyan," at the BSA's National Art Gallery Auditorium, as part of countrywide recitation events organised by the BAS. Read:'Sisimpur' nominated for International Kidscreen Awards Eminent actor and recitation artiste Jayanto Chattopadhyay, also the convener of the BAS, and Rupa Chakraborty, member secretary of the organisation, delivered the welcome speeches. Member of Parliament Suborna Mustafa, Shilpakala Academy Director General Liaquat Ali Lucky, Mancha Sarathi Ataur Rahman, theatre activist M Hamid and Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission Chairman Shyam Sunder Sikder were also present. Poems were performed by recitation artists from Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Tangail, Gazipur, Narsingdi, Kishoreganj, Madaripur, Shariatpur, Gopalganj, Faridpur, Rajbari, Manikganj, and Dhaka. To spread the message of harmony across the country, the BAS recently organised recitation programmes in six divisions – Sylhet, Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Barisal, Khulna and Rangpur. The events featured discussions, recitations and dance recitals.

Tuesday marks the 97th birth anniversary of renowned artist SM Sultan. He  was born at Machimdia village in Narail sadar upazila on this day in 1924. Celebrating the birth of the eminent art genius, the Narail district administration and SM Sultan Foundation are jointly observing the day with a handful of events. Read: 26th death anniversary of SM Sultan today Due to the ongoing pandemic situation of Covid-19, the birth anniversary of this great artist is being celebrated on a limited scale with due dignity through various programs initiated by the district administration and SM Sultan Foundation, Narail, according to the media cell of the Narail district administration. The programmes included recitation from the holy Qur’an, placing floral wreaths at the grave of the artist, a prayer session and a discussion on the life of the artist, organized at the SM Sultan Complex on Tuesday morning. Mohammad Habibur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner of Narail, laid a floral wreath at the legendary artist’s grave, on behalf of district administration and Artist SM Sultan Foundation, Narail. Tributes were also paid by various governmental and non-governmental social and cultural organizations including District Police, Narail Press Club, District Shilpakala Academy, Sammilita Sangskritik Jote and more.

The 24th edition of the National Art Exhibition 2021, a flagship art venture by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), will begin on June 29.Due to the ongoing global pandemic, the biennale exhibition will be a virtual event this year for the first time in history, according to the academy. BSA Director General Liaquat Ali Lucky and the its Director of Fine Arts department Syeda Mahbuba Karim shared the details of the exhibition at a virtual press conference on Sunday at BSA's official Facebook page. Read: Registration deadline for 24th National Art Exhibition extended to May 26State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid will virtually inaugurate the month-long virtual exhibition on June 29 at 4 pm as the chief guest of the inaugural ceremony.Secretary to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs Badrul Arefin will join the event as the guest of honor, while eminent artist Abdul Mannan will join the inauguration ceremony as the special guest.  BSA's Director of Fine Arts Syeda Mahbuba Karim will deliver the welcome speech and the inauguration ceremony will be chaired by BSA Director General Liaquat Ali Lucky. At the virtual press briefing, the organizers said that of the 1000-plus artworks submitted by a total of 786 artists, the 347 artworks of different mediums and genres by 323 artists will be displayed at the 24th edition of this exhibition. Read:US Ambassador Miller visits art exhibition on PM at Cosmos Centre A five-member selection committee consisting of artists Mamun Kayser, Mahmuda Begum, Muslim Mia, Swapan Kumar Sikder, and Faruk Ahammad Molla selected the artworks for the exhibition this year. The organizers informed that a total of 157 paintings, 47 sculptures, 53 prints, 17 photographs, 18 installations, 10 oriental artworks, 20 crafts, 7 new media works, 5 graphics works, and 7 potteries will be on display, alongside 6 special performance art shows.In addition to these presentations, a special segment consisting of four art projects, curated by four renowned artists will also be displayed in this year's exhibition. A team of 10 artists in each group who worked under the curators Kanak Chanpa Chakma, Zihan Karim, Kamruzzaman Chowdhury, and Joydeb Roaja will display their works in this segment. final selection committee as the jury board to nominate the best artworks is comprised of noted artists Farida Zaman, Abdul Mannan, Abul Barq Alvi, Mostafa Sharif Anwar, Mustafa Zaman, and Syeda Mahbuba Karim. Read:Month-long art exhibition focuses on COVID-19, its impactEleven artists will receive the best awards in eleven categories, while five honorable mention awards will be given to five artists from different categories. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Award 2021, the top award covering all categories, will honor the best artist in the exhibition. Additionally, there are five awards sponsored by different organizations. The awardees will receive cash prize money, certificates, medals, and crests. Started as a biennale back in 1975, the exhibition has earned recognition from art-lovers  as a festivity and celebration of modern artworks and crafts by artists from all over the country. Art enthusiasts can explore the 24th edition of this biennale exhibition from June 29 to July 31 at www.shilpakala.gov.bd and www.facebook.com/shilpakalapage. 

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.