Arnob urges civic action following Chhayanaut vandalism

The desecration of Chhayanaut, Bangladesh's preeminent bastion of music and Bengali culture, has prompted an urgent political intervention from one of the nation's most celebrated musicians, Shayan Chowdhury Arnob. Following the late-night vandalism of the institution, Arnob has characterised civic participation through voting as the primary mechanism for protecting the country's cultural practitioners from escalating instability.

The attack occurred late Thursday (December 18) amidst a surge of unrest across the country, triggered by the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a spokesperson for Inqilab Mancha. While civil society observers have noted that the vandals appeared to be opportunistic groups exploiting the vacuum of order rather than supporters of Hadi, the resulting damage was extensive. Visual evidence shared by Arnob and other witnesses depicted a scene of calculated destruction: shattered harmoniums, overturned tablas, and archives of musical history reduced to ash within the institution's premises.

Photo: Mir Hossain/Prothom Alo

For Arnob, the incident is a personal violation of the space where his musical career began. In a statement that has resonated throughout the arts community, the singer and producer urged citizens to move beyond passive observation. He argued that the vulnerability of musicians is directly linked to political apathy, asserting that active participation in the electoral process is the only way to safeguard creative freedom. "We must actively participate and vote," Arnob stated, adding that the only way to counter such sabotage is to encourage others to engage in the democratic process.

The targeting of Chhayanaut has sent a chill through Bangladesh's cultural circles, raising critical questions about the security of secular institutions during periods of political volatility.

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