2019 was objectively a great year for band music, both underground and mainstream.

2019 was particularly significant for the field of theatre. Seven new plays were staged at Notuner Utshab 2019: Aye Natoker Ongone, organised by Nagorik Natya Sampradaya.

Halls throughout Dhaka are closing down due to the lack of revenue from cinemagoers.

This year was objectively a successful one for both renowned and promising artists.

Established in August, 1979, Miles had become a household name within a few years, thanks to their out-of-the-box compositions, bringing about a new wave of pop-rock sound in Bangladesh.

Author Nadira Majumder has been honoured with the prestigious Anannya Sahitya Award of the Bangla year 1426. She received the award for her contribution in the field of books about science. The award was officially handed to Nadira on December 29 at Bangladesh National Museum's Poet Sufia Kamal auditorium. Professor Emeritus Sirajul Islam Chowdhury attended the ceremony as the chief guest and awarded the honorary crest to Nadira at the event. The author received a cheque of BDT 1 lakh, along with the crest and uttorio.

Dhanmondi’s 3rd Space has recently been gaining a lot of popularity as a hub for young music and art lovers. December 28 was no different, when people of all ages gathered for tea and a discussion with the famous artist, A F M Moniruzzaman (Shipu). The two-hour art talk was titled, Art of Life.

Renowned dance school Nritya Nandan arranged an Indian classical dance programme, titled ‘Parampara’, at the main auditorium of Chhayanaut on December 28.

A daylong folk cultural festival, Loko-Sangskriti Utsab, was held at Tengorpara in Mymensingh, on December 28. Parbon, a cultural group, in collaboration with the Ekota Club in Mymensingh, organised the festival with the slogan, Loko Sangkritir Jagoron, Sampritir Unnayan, to promote cultural events in rural areas. It was the fourth edition of the festival.

Gantha, a women’s writing group, in association with Bengal Boi, published The Woman Who Ate Cooking Pots by Jahanara Naushin, and Gantha Miscellany, the first book by the members of Gantha.

Acclaimed actor and director Azizul Hakim is set to play a key role in Zahid Shaon’s upcoming film, Mithur Muktijuddho.

Zainul Utshab 2019 is currently underway at the premises of Faculty of Fine Art (FFA), University of Dhaka (DU), marking the 105th birth anniversary of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, the pioneer of the art education movement in Bangladesh. Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni graced the occasion as the chief guest.

Art is an international language communicating across cultures to enrich and enlighten diverse communities of social, political and economic interests. The Bangladesh and Sri Lanka Artist Exchange Programme is one that nurtures this idea and concept.

Marking the 105th birth anniversary (December 29) of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, the master artist and pioneer of art education movement in Bangladesh, the Faculty of Fine Art (FFA), popularly known as Charukala, of University of Dhaka (DU) is hosting a 3-day festival, titled Zainul Utshab 2019 at its premises.

Marking their 50th anniversary, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpi Goshthi, Kulaura Upazila unit in Moulvibazar hosted a two-day programme at the premises of Kulaura Upazila Shrity Soudha, recently. Comrade Abdul Malik inaugurated the programme.

Breaking the hearts of their very loyal fanbase, indie band Petty Never Grew announced in March that they would discontinue after the release of The Pink Album.

Actor Kohinoor Akhter Suchanda and journalist Rafi Hossain received the 16th Fazlul Haque Memorial Award 2019, held recently at Westin, Dhaka.

Bengal Foundation has organised a three-day musical programme, titled Gaaner Jhorna Tolaay, at Bengal Shilpalay, which concludes today.

Based on the Liberation War of Bangladesh, National Film Award winner, Masud Pathik’s directorial venture, Maya – The Lost Mother, released countrywide yesterday. It is a government granted film, produced by Brattyo Creation and featuring noted actor Jyotika Jyoti in the lead role.

With the tagline, ‘Theatre develops a lifestyle of values’ the Sabdabali Drama Festival began in Barishal on December 26, 2019.