Marking International Dance Day on April 29, a weeklong long dance festival took place at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) from April 23. Bangladesh Nritya Shilpi Sangstha (BNSS) in association with BSA arranged the programme. The theme for the year was “Santrash Rukey Dao Nrityer Chhonde”. 

A seminar on the title “Santras Protirodh-e Nrityakalar Obosthan” was held on April 29 while a colourful procession and a grand celebration programme featuring a dance performance, discussion and felicitation of dancer Narayan Deb took place at BSA on the day.   

Artistes of Dibya Sangskritik Sangathan set off the event with a prayer dance as tribute to the deceased of the recent earthquake massacre in Nepal. Later, the rendition of National Anthem and one minute's silence was observed in memory of the Nepal earthquake victims.

Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor attended the event as chief guest, alongside other guests Professor Abdus Selim, Dr. Ranjit Kumar Biswas, Amanul Haque and Laila Hasan. President Minu Haque and general secretary Mahfuzur Rahman of BNSS delivered the welcome addresses.

Later, artistes from different troupes -- Bangladesh Academy of Fine Arts, Pallavi Dance Centre, Kathak Nritya Sampradaye, Rewaz Performing Arts, Sukanya, Spondon, Jago Art Centre, Angikam, Nandanik, Nritym, Dhreeti Nartanalay,  Bhabna, Soma Academy, Shikhar Cultural Centre, Nrityabhumi, Chhando Monjuri, Nandan Kala Kendra, Nritya Chhando, Nrityalok, Nataraj, Benuka Lalitakala Academy and several organisations from Khulna, Noakhali, Sylhet, and Rajshahi performed classical, contemporary, srijanshil and folk dances at the event. 

National Art Gallery Plaza of BSA was another venue for the festival where dance performances and a dance fair were held.