On the afternoon of 16 July 1979, in the northern Nicaraguan city of Estelí, a young man named Pablo Aráuz found an empty Pepsi bottle, filled it with petrol, lit it and threw it at the local headquarters of the National Guard. An American photographer standing a few feet away made a picture of him doing it. Somoza fled the country the next day. The dictatorship his family had run for 43 years collapsed two days after that.

A nationwide festival exploring the philosophy, music and humanist traditions of Kabir and Lalon Shah will be held across all eight divisions of Bangladesh from September 11 to October 30.

The quiet reminiscence of old friends and admirers channeled the spirit of one of Bangladesh’s most beloved figures, “Shilpi Bhai”. They were gathered to celebrate the 91st birth anniversary of the late artist and master puppeteer, Mustafa Monwar.

An open discussion and poetry-reading session followed the main programme. According to the organisers, the initiative sought to strengthen cultural ties between Bangladesh and Germany while promoting peace and empathy across linguistic and geographical boundaries.

Written during Nazrul’s adolescence, the plays bring his satire, rebellious spirit and engagement with social realities to the stage.

Popular actor Faruque Ahmed is set to return to the literary scene with his fifth book, “Muchhe Jaowa Dinguli”, a memoir drawing largely from real-life experiences.

The National Cultural Competition on Nazrul was inaugurated in Tangail today (Monday) as part of a nationwide initiative marking Nazrul Barsho.

The moon shines brightly upon the stage as people of different ages gather deep inside a forest. Their faith matters not; their gender matters not. These people—of different backgrounds and ages—encircle a man. With long hair, a beard, and an ektara in hand, he sings: "Jaat gelo, jaat gelo bole, Eki Ajob Karkhana."

“Malyaban” was published in book form in 1970, 16 years after Das’s death. The novel presents a bleak psychological portrait of the troubled marriage between Malyaban and his wife, Utpala.

The theatre group Agun Mukha organised the performance with support from the District Shilpakala Academy. The play was staged in memory of noted late theatre personality and physician Fazlul Karim.

Titled “Nazruler Gane Matowara Dhaka”, the programme began at 7pm and brought together Nazrul songs, dance performances and recitations, reflecting the poet’s themes of rebellion, humanity, intellectual freedom and social emancipation.

For decades, Kusama turned experiences that began as childhood hallucinations into paintings, sculptures and installations that explored repetition, infinity and the dissolution of the self.

“I am happy that we are going to present a play before the audience. It is a great joy for me, especially because it is theatre. Performing on stage brings a different kind of joy,” she told The Daily Star.

The “Annual Art Exhibition 2025-2026” of the Department of Drawing and Painting brings together the works of 72 undergraduate and postgraduate students.

The production, Ethic’s first, was originally staged in 2010. The theatre group’s official website records its inaugural staging on May 22, 2010, at Bangladesh Mohila Samity Auditorium. The production was subsequently revived in a new form, with Mintu Sarder directing the new version.

Titled “Benuka: Rage, Sure, Shrutir Nibirataye Kazi Nazrul Islam”, the programme was organised under the patronage of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs as part of efforts to introduce Nazrul’s creative legacy to a younger generation.

The play, directed by Nasir Uddin Yousuff, was staged on the final day of Dhaka Theatre and Bangladesh Graam Theatre’s programme celebrating the renowned playwright Selim Al Deen’s 77th birth anniversary at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

Theatre group BotTala is set to celebrate its 18th anniversary with a three-day programme featuring theatre performances, discussions, seminars, reading sessions, music, puppet shows and workshops.

A four-day photography exhibition, discussion and tribute programme marking World Photography Day entered its second day at Drik Gallery in Dhaka today, with a discussion exploring the works, artistic philosophy and life of renowned Indian photographer and photojournalist Raghu Rai.

The exhibition features 19 artists from the 1998-1999 session of Charukola. After the participants warmly welcomed the guests, their cordial speeches started.