Shilpakala Academy honours 45 distinguished cultural icons

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has launched a 10-day programme titled “National Cultural Heritage Preservation and Tribute to Eminent Personalities”, aimed at honouring 45 distinguished cultural figures of the country.

Organised by the academy with support from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the programme began on May 10 at the academy premises in the capital and will continue until May 20.

Among the cultural figures being commemorated are Ustad Gul Mohammad Khan, Ustad Barin Mazumder, Atul Prasad Sen, Ustad Alauddin Khan, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Azam Khan, Ustad Ayet Ali Khan, Satya Saha, Khan Ataur Rahman, Hason Raja, Bari Siddiqui, Shah Abdul Karim, Abdul Alim, Lucky Akhand, Ayub Bachchu, Farida Yasmin, Abdul Latif, Abdur Rahman Boyati, Fakir Alamgir, Nilufar Yasmin, Mahmudunnabi, Ukil Munshi, Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul, and Shahnaz Rahmatullah, among others.

On the third day of the programme yesterday (May 13), Pandit Ravi Shankar was commemorated during the first session held at 4:00pm at the National Music and Dance Centre auditorium. The globally acclaimed sitar virtuoso and composer was remembered for introducing classical music to international audiences.

The session was chaired by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Secretary Mohammad Zakir Hossain, while Professor Asit Dey, head of the Music Department at the University of Development Alternative, attended as the keynote speaker.

At 5:00pm, the programme paid tribute to renowned classical musician, sitarist, and surbahar exponent Ustad Ayet Ali Khan. Joint Secretary (Administration) of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Mu Billal Hossain Khan, attended as chief guest, while musician Fowzia Khan spoke at the session.

Later in the evening, legendary classical musician Ustad Alauddin Khan was commemorated at 6:00pm, followed by a tribute to Gurusaday Dutt, widely known as the founder of the Bratachari movement, at 7:00pm.

Speaking about the initiative, Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Sheikh Rezauddin Ahmed said, “Through this programme, we want to introduce the lives and works of our eminent cultural personalities to the younger generation. We want today’s youth to learn about their contributions to arts and culture and about our cultural heritage.”