With the theme “Nrityer Taal-e Taal-e Bishwa Aaj Eksathey”, Bangladesh Nritya Shilpi Sangstha (BNSS), in association with Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), is holding the weeklong 6th National Dance Festival marking International Dance Day (April 29). The festival kicks off today at National Art Gallery Plaza of BSA where a dance fair will be held. Director General (DG) of BSA, Liaquat Ali Lucky, will inaugurate the fair.
A discussion, awards giving ceremony, dance performances and staging of two dance-dramas will be held at National Theatre Hall of BSA today at 5pm. BSA secretary will inaugurate the programme. Information Secretary Hedayet Ullah Al Mamun ndc; Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University, AAMS Arefin Siddique and Programme Chief (Dance) of BTV, Laila Haque, and others will be present as guests of honour and discuss at the programme.
The organisers will confer Nrityaguru Gawhar Jamil Memorial Award to President of BNSS (Bogra), Abdus Samad Palash, and Nrityaguru GA Mannan Memorial Award to President of BNSS (Rangpur), Professor Azizul Islam. Liaquat Ali Lucky will preside over the programme.
Nrityashoili, a Sylhet-based troupe will stage the Tagore dance-drama “Chandalika”. Dancer-choreographer Saju Ahmed has choreographed the production. Another dance-drama, “Mahua”, will also be staged at the festival. Choreographed by MR Wasek, the production will feature Arpita Shome and Amit Chowdhury as Mahua and Nader Chand.
A seminar on “Bangladesh-er Loknritya O Shamprotik Motbirodh” will be held at Seminar Hall of BSA at 3pm on April 28. A member of BNSS, Mahfuzur Rahman, will present the keynote paper. History Professor Syed Anwar Hossain; general secretary of BNSS, Deepa Khandakar, and organising secretary of Udichi, Sangeeta Imam, will speak at the seminar. Dancer-choreographer Minu Haque will preside over the seminar.
Programmes on International Dance Day will start at the Shoparjito Shadhinata Chattar (in front of TSC) of Dhaka University at 7am on April 29.
A discussion; conferring of Lifetime Achievement Award to President of BNSS (Rajshahi), Bazlur Rahman Badal; dance performances and staging of a dance-drama -- “Rupsha Nadir Bakey” -- by Bangladesh Academy of Fine Arts will be held in the evening. Foreign Secretary Mijarul Quayes; State Minister for Cultural Affairs Advocate Promode Mankin; Chairman of University Grants Commission Professor A.K. Azad Chowdhury and DG of BTV M. Hamid will grace the occasion as guests of honour. President of BNSS, Laila Hasan, will preside over the programme.
The festival will be dedicated to the late Nrityaguru Pijush Kiran Paul. Founded in 1978, BNSS has been observing International Dance Day since 1992.