Theatre & Arts
Anjan Dutt on his final act ‘Aro Ekta Lear’
Set to premiere on 25 November at Kolkata’s Gyan Mancha, the play signifies the end of an era for the beloved artiste.
Nazrul Institute trustee board restructured with new appointments
In a statement issued by Assistant Secretary Lakshmi Rani Ghosh on October 29, it was announced that the government has reconstituted the eight-member board of trustees under the authority of Section 6 of the Kabi Nazrul Institute Act, 2018, as amended on June 13, 2022.
Shilpakala Academy announces week-long Jatra festival
In the spirit of post-July Revolution rejuvenation, Shilpakala Academy seeks to reinvigorate cultural expressions across all social layers. With the theme “In fear, we falter; in defiance, we are Bangladesh,” the festival will run from November 1 to November 7 at Mukto Moncho in Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital.
Dutch Delft Blue workshop to lead to ceramic art exhibition in Dhaka
This workshop brings the Dutch Delft Blue ceramic tradition to Bangladesh, encouraging cultural exchange and collaboration.
‘Echoes of Existence’: Ripon Saha’s intriguing world of art
Upon entering the gallery, the first drawing that intrigued me was that of a circle of infants with elongated heads. The artist through this drawing showed the immature extremism of people who blindly follow ideals without even questioning anything.
Opinion / Shilpakala Academy’s catalytic role against polarisation and extremism
BSA's initiatives in theatre, music, and visual arts have proven to be effective tools for bridging divides in Bangladesh's politically charged environment. The academy's diverse programming speaks to a wide range of Bangladeshis, although often failing to transcend party affiliations and ideological differences.
‘World Press Photo Exhibition 2024’: A visual journey through global stories in Dhaka
The exhibition grants viewers a glimpse into various social, political, and environmental issues, each photo offering a distinctive perspective. From capturing the journey of migrants to the devastating impacts of climate change, these images transcend mere events, evoking empathy through personal narratives.
Art Exhibition / ‘Unwind Mind’: Exploring art as a pathway to mental wellness
In celebration of World Mental Health Day, this two-week exhibition, running from October 19 to November 2 at the EMK Centre in Gulshan, brings together photography, digital art, and painting to highlight mental health awareness.
Group Theater Federation: Pro-Lucky faction push for conference, opposition calls for reform
A faction led by senior praesidium member Lucky Enam is now preparing for an urgent meeting to discuss reforms and restructuring within the federation. Meanwhile, a rival group, aligned with Liaquat Ali Lucky, is pushing for a conference, further fueling tensions in the executive committee.
The timeless allure of Jibanananda Das on screen
Known by various titles—“The Poet of Love” and “Poet of Ruposhi Bangla”—Jibanananda's metaphysical and magically realist verses have enchanted countless readers and audiences. His influence spills over from literature into cinema, inspiring iconic works from the 90s rock band Moheener Ghoraguli to films like Sayantan Mukherjee’s “Jhora Palok” and Robiul Alam Robi’s “Moribar Holo Taar Shwaad.”
Alliance Française de Dhaka commemorates 65 years
The French language school Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD), also adept at art exhibitions, and activities promoting a dynamic exchange between Europe and Bangladesh, marked its 65th anniversary with an extensive lineup of events, showcasing a seamless fusion of Bengali and French culture.
‘Dhaka Art Weekend’ takes art beyond aesthetics
Art has always played a significant role in Bangladesh, from moving songs during the Liberation War to modern-day political art. Emphasising this historical context alongside the influence of today’s artists, ‘Day 2’ featured the second dialogue, titled “Artists Leading Paths: Artists in Policymaking.”
Theatre Artists Association of Dhaka launched to secure artistes’ rights
The organisers of this initiative believe that while there are several associations formed by theatre groups in Bangladesh, there has never been a platform solely for the rights, interests, and professional development of individual theatre artistes.
Mousumi Mou takes the stage at Borderless Festival in Seoul
Renowned anchor, actress, and mime artiste Mousumi Mou has recently performed at the "Borderless Festival 2024" in Seoul, where she shared the stage with popular mime artistes Mir Lokman and Mahbub Alam.
‘Solastalgia’: Fragments of a fading horizon
Azad’s art explores the impact of climate-induced flooding and the tension between rural and urban environments. From the Sundarbans to Dhaka's dense urban fabric, her works reflect the convergence of these worlds, blending internal emotions with external observations of a landscape reshaped by human activity and environmental crisis.
‘Shilpa Sandhan’: Artistic reflections of contemporary and urban realities
In keeping with the exploration of the current themes in the nation’s art scene, an art exhibition displaying the windows into the complex narratives of our socio-cultural landscape was recently arranged by Zobra the Art Village and Dot to Line at Safiuddin Shilpalay in Dhanmondi. This five-day group exhibition titled, "Shilpa Sandhan", celebrated Bangladesh’s diverse and evolving art heritage, with the hosting of 55 artworks offering vibrant displays of creativity and emotion, from 24 contemporary artists.
Three-day Lalon Festival to return to Shilpakala Academy tomorrow
In honour of Lalon's 134th death anniversary on October 17, the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has organised a three-day festival to celebrate his legacy. A press conference detailing the event will take place today at 3:00pm in the National Theatre Hall seminar room.
Documentary photography: A journey from truth to interpretation in visual storytelling
The formal aim of social documentary was initially to keep records, but by the 1930s, it evolved to enlighten and educate. Photographers gathered images to develop a ‘picture story’—a sequence of images that visually narrated incidents, with minimal text descriptions for context. These photo stories were powerful, capturing the world “in motion,” and representing people and their range of emotions—whether smiling, crying, angry, or vulnerable in moments as ordinary as any other in their daily lives.