Renowned artist Professor Rokeya Sultana has been awarded the prestigious Ekushey Padak this year for her outstanding contributions to fine art. As an internationally recognised artist and a Fulbright Fellow, her deep and unique artistic expression has made her one of the most significant contemporary painters in South Asia.

Anjan Dutt is returning to where it all began—the theatre. After over four decades in cinema, the "Dutta Vs Dutta" star has announced his final stage appearance. His last play, "Aro Ekta Lear", premiered to praise, and is set to return on March 9 again at Kolkata's Gyan Manch. Advance tickets are already available for those eager to witness this final performance.

As I walked into Kalakendra in the capital’s Lalmatia area, I was unsure what to expect from Kabir Ahmed Masum Chisty’s solo exhibition, “Meghnad Badh”, curated by Lala Rukh Selim. I did not personally know the artist or his body of work, yet I was drawn to the premise—a visual reimagining of “Meghnadbad Kabya”, Michael Madhusudan Dutt’s magnum opus that transformed the perception of a character largely dismissed in the mainstream “Ramayana”. What struck me most was the exhibition’s engagement with what Sibaji Bandyopadhyay, in his book “Three Essays on the Ramayana” calls ‘dispersed textuality’—the idea that an epic exists not as a singular, authoritative narrative but as an intricate, layered text that absorbs contradictions and alternative voices.

As the ongoing allegations, contentions and discussions were addressed by the Cultural Advisor Mostafa Sarwar Farooki through his Facebook posts and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs through a press note, Syed Jamil Ahmed clears his stance once again in an interview.

Popular music composer Prince Mahmud has opened up about the issue. On Monday, March 3, Prince Mahmud wrote on Facebook, “Mostofa Sarwar Farooki is fine as an adviser. At least he is not being childish. He is sensitive and knows what to say and do in different situations. The situation demands someone like him.”

This rally, which brought together theatre artistes, writers, directors, designers, and cultural activists, came in the wake of the controversial resignation of Syed Jamil Ahmed, the Academy’s former director general. The procession aims to voice a clear and urgent demand for not only the reinstatement of Ahmed but also for the autonomy of Shilpakala Academy, free from bureaucratic interference.

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.

The first-ever Munier Chowdhury National Theatre Festival kicked off yesterday at the Training Department of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA). The festival, scheduled for February 28, will feature 16 plays across eight categories, carefully chosen from a 15-day production-based theatre workshop conducted nationwide.

The cover art of “Chronicles of Allen Swapan” was designed by Asifur Rahman, with editing by Mehedi Haque and Sheikh Korashanee. The comic is rated ‘M’ (Mature) and is intended for adult readers.

On this very day on February 21, 1952, the streets of Dhaka became a battlefield, soaked with the blood of young martyrs, who stood resolute in the face of oppressive authority, demanding the right to speak their mother tongue, Bangla. It was a day that would carve itself into the collective memory of the Bengali people—a day when the language movement claimed its sacred place in history, and shaped the identity of the country, as a nation.

Classical music and dance are among the most refined expressions of human culture, representing profound dedication, beauty, and tradition. In an effort to further promote and preserve these distinguished art forms, the Music, Dance, and Recitation Department of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy will be hosting a four-day “Shastriya Sangeet O Nritya Utsab” (Classical Music and Dance Festival).