Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has started a month-long cultural festival to promote cultural diversity across the country.
The festival began with performances, including “July Uprising Performance”, “Songs of Mass Uprising", and the traditional “Wangala Festival”, according to a press release issued from Shilpakala Academy on Friday.
July uprising performance’ in Dhaka: The performance, titled “Shono Mohajan Amra Hazarjon,” honours the voices of students and citizens in their fight for pluralistic democracy and secular culture.
Organised by the academy’s Fine Arts Department, the event took place at Dhaka University’s Bakultala and surrounding areas on Friday and Saturday. A total of 41 artists and performers, including Afsana Sharmin Jhumpa, Abu Naser Rabii, and Sumona Akter participated at the programme. This unique presentation, themed “1971/2024 Shono Mohajon Amra Hazarjon,” live-streamed on Shilpakala Academy’s official Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Songs of mass uprising’ in Gazipur: The academy held “Songs of Mass Uprising” at 4:00pm on Friday at the Rajbari field in Gazipur. Organised by the academy’s Music, Dance, and Recitation Department in collaboration with the Gazipur District Administration, the event showcased performances by garment workers and a cultural group.
Artists Imam Hasan Shanto and Lamia Islam Tanha presented the piece titled Moner Govire Mon Koto Osohay, Protibadi Mon Mone Shadhinota Chay.
Abdus Samad, father of Shaheed Zakir Hossain, a martyr of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, inaugurated the event.
Wangala Festival’ in Netrokona: The Indigenous Cultural Academy of Birishiri, Netrokona, in collaboration with Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, hosted the Garo community’s traditional Wangala Festival on Friday afternoon.
Dr. Syed Jamil Ahmed, Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, graced the occasion as the chief guest, with Netrokona’s Deputy Commissioner Banani Biswas in charge.
Principal Manindra Nath Marak, an educationist, writer, and researcher, joined as a guest.
Garo cultural groups from Dhobaura, Gopalpur, Arapara, Gohalidhew, and Uttarael showcased the community’s vibrant heritage.
Upcoming events: As part of the month-long celebrations, a nationwide instrumental music festival began simultaneously at the divisional level on Saturday.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
