United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) has announced on Thursday that for the first time ever, it is set to organise an Eid celebration, embracing the country’s diverse cultural heritage. The academy will host the programme titled 'Elo Khushir Eid' at its Nandan Moncho on March 30 from 7 pm onwards, celebrating the 'Chand Raat' (night before the Eid day). BSA has shared the poster image of the event with the media and is yet to reveal the details of the event; however, Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki shared the announcement image on social media on Thursday, making the announcement of the event. "For the first time, Shilpakala Academy is hosting an Eid celebration. Bangladesh is a land of many languages, beliefs, and religions," Farooki wrote on his Facebook. "Everything in the diverse society we live in is a part of our culture. Bangladesh will celebrate it all! The politics of division are no longer welcome here," the cultural adviser wrote. CA Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and others have also shared the announcement image, and netizens on social platforms have been applauding the decision made by BSA for the first time ever.

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) launched a three-day workshop on Sufi and Qawwali music on Thursday, organised by its Training Department. The workshop commenced at the seminar room of the BSA National Theatre Hall and will run daily from 2 pm to 5 pm till March 21. Qawwali artist Md Samir Hossain (Samir Qawwal) is leading the workshop as the chief trainer, while the course is being directed by Begum Kamrun Nahar, course coordinator of the Training Department, while senior instructor (music) S M Shamim Akhtar is serving as the coordinator. A total of 15 participants are attending the workshop. The workshop aimed to highlight the diversity of Sufi and Qawwali music, ensuring equal importance to all musical genres. According to Shilpakala Academy, it sought to train new Sufi and Qawwali artists and promote these traditional musical forms among the general public through this initiative.

A comedy play titled “Songs of Hawkers” was staged at the Experimental Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Thursday, offering a humorous yet insightful portrayal of street hawkers’ lives. Organised by Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD), the play will be reprised at the same venue at 3:30 pm on Friday. Kashmir’s Sufi Music enthusiasts hold on to cassette tapes Directed by French theatre artist Zazie Hayoun, 'Songs of Hawkers' blends elements of dance, music, puppetry, acrobatics, and clowning to depict the vibrant, chaotic world of Bangladeshi hawkers. The play incorporates the French theatrical technique of Grand Guignol, a 19th-century form known for its dramatic storytelling. Throughout her international career, Hayoun has focused on capturing the essence of everyday life, transforming seemingly insignificant details into compelling narratives. In this production, she presents three interwoven stories – The Secret, The Thief Rewarded, and The Competition – highlighting the struggles, humour, and resilience of street vendors. The cast includes Imam Hossain, M S Rana, P K Fazal, and Suraiya T Mou, with a creative team led by Hayoun as writer and director. Prajna T Rubayyat and Farjana Akter served as assistants, while music was led by Rahul Ananda; tune and composition of the song ‘Dog Eat Dog World' were done by Gopi Debnath, and choreography contributions came from Farhad A Shamim. With a duration of one hour, Songs of Hawkers pays tribute to the hawkers who add rhythm and poetry to urban life through their relentless chants and daily hustle. ‘Hajong’: Aslam Molla’s first solo photography exhibition to be held Friday The play, performed primarily in Bangla with some English dialogue, offers free entry upon confirmation via communication@afdhaka.org. It will continue at the same place and time on Friday.

The Anti- Corruption Commission ( ACC) on Wednesday asked director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy to submit their expenditure records following allegations of embezzlement and abuse of power. The ACC decided to launch probe on the allegations on January 2,2021. A two member team led by ACC Deputy Director Mohammad Ibrahim is looking into the matter while other member is Afnan Jannat Keya.  READ: ACC case against policeman in Chattogram ACC sought the records of the expenditure of the budget alloted for the academy of the fiscal  2019-2020, 2020-2021,  extra TK 35 crore of the fiscal  2020-21, the records of the cost of organising virtual programme during corona period in 2020,  various vouchers and bank statement of BSA at Sonali Bank till Dec 31,2021 The Commission asked the Shilpakala Academy to submit the necessary records and documents within January 11.  In the last few months, there have been some allegations against DG of Shilpakala Academy, including abuse of power and bribery. There is also a specific allegation of withdrawing Tk 26 crore. READ: ACC snaps illegal gas link from Savar factory According to the complaint received by the ACC, the director general of the academy tactfully removed Tk 26 crore by appointing a contract officer as the secretary without following the rules and regulations.

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.

The Bangabandhu-Bapu Digital Exhibition was opened for public viewing at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Saturday. The exhibition celebrates in a uniquely thematic way, the life and legacy of the Fathers of each of the two Nations, Mahatma Gandhi and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni, State Minister for Culture K.M Khalid and High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Vikram Doraiswami joined opened the digital exhibition.

Screening of quality films and resourceful workshops for the future filmmakers at the 14th International Children Film Festival Bangladesh (ICFFB) are inspiring and entertaining young audiences and their family members.

Dhaka, June 19 (UNB)- Veteran journalist and cultural activist Kamal Lohani has tested positive for coronavirus.   Sagar Lohani, son of Kamal Lohani, shared the information in his Facebook post on Friday.