As the nation now stands on the cusp of renewal, Pahela Baishakh 1432 arrives at a time when the people of Bangladesh are eager to reclaim their cultural voice—seeking a deeper connection to its identity, heritage, and hope. For centuries, it has been an occasion of collective celebration, resilience, and unity.
Popular theatre troupe Prangonemor was all set to stage their acclaimed adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore’s “Shesher Kobita”, with a fresh perspective, as part of the upcoming Chaitra Sankranti and Pahela Baishakh celebrations.
Directed conceptually by actress Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed, the shoot masterfully intertwines the joyous rituals of Biju and heartfelt reunions among friends, reflecting values of empathy, unity, and the universal language of human connection.
The production delves into the nuanced romance between Amit Roy and Labanya Debi, whose chance encounter in Shillong evolves into a profound exploration of love and self-discovery. The play also features pivotal characters such as Shobhonlal and Ketaki, adding depth to the narrative.
Farooki declared that this year’s New Year celebrations would bring together not just Bengali citizens, but also 27 ethnic communities from across the country. “Diversity is our most powerful and beautiful asset,” he said.
Renowned filmmaker and cultural affairs adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has dismissed concerns that Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy is running without leadership following the recent resignation of its Director General, Syed Jamil Ahmed.
Artists from across the country, including indigenous performers, will participate. The celebration begins on April 13 evening with a traditional “Chaitra Sankranti” fair, featuring folk elements like nagor dola, lathi khela, and stalls selling local crafts and utensils.
Chhayanaut paid its final respects to one of its founding members and current president, the eminent cultural figure, Rabindra researcher, and musicologist Sanjida Khatun, through the song "Amar Mukti Aloy Aloy”.
Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has questioned some of the issues raised by Syed Jamil Ahmed in his statement while handing his resignation as the director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy at a public event.
During the event, the theatre personality who was supposed to give a speech to the present audience, suddenly took the microphone and informed on his resignation. "It is no longer possible for me to continue working here. That is why I am submitting my resignation letter to the Shilpakala Secretary (Mohammad Wares Hossain) in front of all of you," he stated, addressing the audience and distinguished guests at the event.
Prominent theatre troupe Prachyanat marked its 29th anniversary on February 21. To commemorate the occasion, the troupe organised a series of cultural events throughout the month, which concludes today with a closing ceremony at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA).
In recent years, the alarming rise in suicide rates among the youth has been a matter of concern. Societal pressures, relationship struggles, academic and professional failures, financial crises, and family conflicts have all been identified as key factors exacerbating mental stress. "Atmajoy" aims to convey the message that standing by one another and offering mental support can help prevent suicide. The play is written by Momena Chowdhury and directed by Shamim Sagar.
The fifth volume of legendary lyricist Gazi Mazharul Anwar’s songbook series, “Olpo Kothar Golpo Gaan”, was officially released on February 24 at the Ekushey Book Fair. Published by Bhashachitra, the event took place at their Pavilion 17 at 4pm. This new edition includes the stories behind 50 songs, along with the lyrics of 200 songs.
The closing ceremony on Tuesday night was marked by an energetic staging of Kazi Nazrul Islam’s "Swami-Strir Jhogra", a lively Leto drama performed by the theatre group Bohor Natya Nritya Dal. The production, brought to life by Banshari, left a lasting impression on the audience. After the play, singers such as Bijon Mistry, Priyanka Bhattacharya, and Mridula Samaddar graced the stage with soulful renditions of Nazrul’s iconic songs.
The much-anticipated annual Nazrul Utsav 2025 kicked off yesterday, celebrating the philosophies of Kazi Nazrul Islam, the national poet whose works embody a powerful message of secularism, humanity, and unity. The two-day festival, organised by the Bangladesh Nazrul Sangeet Songstha (BNSS) at the Chhayanaut premises, is scheduled to run from 5pm to 9:30pm, featuring performances by over 100 artistes from Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi has claimed that a section of former Udichi activists who have left the umbrella of the organisation long ago has recently left cultural enthusiasts, all over the country, puzzled by performing a street drama named “Mukhosh” under their banner. This section for many years, featured the previous-incumbent government’s political and cultural narratives.
A talented ensemble of third-year students from the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies will bring the iconic production to life from February 24 to March 1, at the Natmandal Auditorium, under the direction of Assistant Professor Tanvir Nahid Khan. The play will be staged daily at 7pm, with additional shows on February 28 and March 1, at 5:00pm and 7:30pm, respectively.
A group of Bangladeshi performers traveled to Paris to participate in the event. Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor of the caretaker government, was invited as the chief guest for the inaugural ceremony, delivering his speech virtually. On February 21, at the main event, cultural advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooki was present and shared his reflections on the Bangladeshi artists' performances on the prestigious UNESCO stage.
