Fifteen years ago today, on September 12, 2009, Karim, revered as the "Baul king," passed away, leaving behind a profound yet humble legacy of love and mysticism. Growing up in the flood-prone lowlands of Sunamganj, Karim's music became a lifeline, reflecting the rhythms of waterlogged lands and the heartache of their people. His songs, simple yet profound, captured the essence of rural life, blending spirituality with raw emotion.

Wakilur Rahman’s “Monon Khonon” solo exhibition is underway at Bengal Shilpalay in the capital’s Dhanmondi area. Through this exhibition, he has crafted the essence of visual art by making local elements relevant within a global contemporary context. His work speaks to the unique relationship between the people of the delta region and their environment, using art to bridge the gap between the ancient and the modern, the local and the universal.

Syed Jamil Ahmed, the newly appointed director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, has called for the allocation of at least three percent of the national GDP for the cultural sector to make the academy financially capable and self-sufficient.

It is to be noted that following the recent downfall of the former government following the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, Liaquat Ali Lucky, who served as the Director General of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) for over a decade, stepped down from his position on August 12.

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy’s former Director General Liaquat Ali Lucky’s reign of power over Dhaka's theatre scene and the country, as a whole, has been described as a “living dictator.” To prevent any similar figures from taking this kind of autocratic and illicit root in the future, a group of theatre activists has put forward several proposals.

Masudur Rahman’s solo art exhibition, titled “Journey of Cosmos”, is currently on display at Alliance Française de Dhaka in Dhanmondi. It is a profound contemplation of the interconnection between humanity, nature, and the universe. The artist’s work delves into the vastness and emptiness of the human mind, revealing how these elements impart sophisticated depth to creation, love, and life.

Cartoons, as a form of artistic activism, speak the language of time. They highlight contemporary political events and societal absurdities, often at great personal risk to the artists. Despite the former AL-led government's attempts to instil fear during the anti-discrimination student movement, the people's resolve only grew stronger. Cartoonists were no exception, capturing the then government's atrocities—murders, repression, and abductions—in powerful images that spread like wildfire across social media. These cartoons became the movement's fuel, igniting further resistance.

Mustafa Monwar, lovingly known as Bangladesh's "Puppet Man," has been a towering figure in the country's artistic and cultural landscape. Born on September 1, 1935, Monwar’s contributions to puppetry, painting, visual arts, and television have made him a symbol of creative freedom and expression.

The finest characteristic of Amitab’s paintings is that they invoke emotions and create a chain of thoughts. His artworks speak of his commitment to proportions and balance. His imagination comes alive through the colours and textures of his canvases. Calm and chaos both exist in his works harmoniously. According to the curator, the artist orchestrates atemporal, and spatial configurations with deliberate and methodical approaches and they align with the aesthetics of the abstract. 

Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) is currently hosting “Beyond the Gaze”, showcasing a profound exploration of intimacy, identity, and isolation through the lens of emerging photographers and artists. The exhibition features works from the PSA: Beyond the Gaze 2023–2024 workshop, an initiative supported by Photo South Asia under the MurthyNAYAK Foundation, and partnered with AFD and Kiran Nadar Museum of Art in Delhi, India.

The centre, which had been closed since the beginning of Ramadan for repairs, welcomed audiences last Friday (August 30). The South City Corporation initiated the renovation in the second week of March, addressing several issues, including malfunctioning air conditioning and lifts, as well as other technical faults.

“Gum Jaan o Joban” is a powerful tribute to the families affected by enforced disappearances, brought to life through the lens of artist Mosfiqur Rahman Johan. Over the course of three years, Johan immersed himself in the lives of these families, documenting their grief, resilience, and the haunting absence of their loved ones

Kafka's “The Metamorphosis”, published in 1915, remains one of the most unsettling yet profound explorations of alienation and existential dread. The novella's iconic opening—“One morning, Gregor Samsa wakes up to find himself transformed into a giant insect”—sets the tone for a story that delves deep into the absurdity of human existence and the crushing weight of societal expectations.

Today, August 27, marks the 48th death anniversary of Kazi Nazrul Islam, a day of reflection and tribute across the nation. Among the many commemorations, Desh Natok, a prominent theatre group, will stage two plays at the Bangladesh Mahila Samiti to honour the legendary poet.

On Sunday, the veteran couple, known for contributing to Bangladesh's cultural landscape, released a deeply resonating joint statement, passionately appealing to their fellow cultural workers to rise to the occasion, “We appeal to all cultural activists—our country is in the grasp of a severe disaster. The most catastrophic flood in recent memory has endangered millions of lives.

The capital's theatre community has come together to support flood victims, with troupes such as Ethic, BotTola, and Anuswar deciding to donate the proceeds from their performances to aid those affected by the disaster.

Marking the 31st death anniversary of legendary playwright and director Utpal Dutt on August 19, the Dhaka-based theatre troupe Ethic will honour his memory by staging one of his most celebrated plays, “Hari Phatibe”. The play's 83rd performance will take place on August 24 at 7pm at the Nilima Ibrahim Auditorium of Bangladesh Mahila Samity.

Theatre troupe BotTala is celebrating its 16th anniversary, marking over a decade of contributions to Bangladesh's theatre scene. Since its debut on August 27, 2008, BotTala has staged numerous acclaimed productions, including “Crutcher Kornel”, “Shokhi Rongomala”, “Khona”, “Rise and Shine”, “Soho Te Marx”, “Bannyatherium”, and “Jatugriha”.

Selim Al Deen, perhaps the most celebrated name of Bangladeshi theatre in the post-Rabindranath era, was born on August 18, 1949. The playwright, fondly called Natyacharya, is credited with ushering in a new era in our theatre scene through his plays and extensive research in the field.

Political cartoons played a pivotal role in the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, transforming the revolution with artistic brilliance and courage.