Shilpakala Academy marks Independence Day and Theatre Day with cultural events

The Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has organised a series of discussions and cultural events to mark Independence Day and Theatre Day, with programmes scheduled across multiple venues.

The main event, titled “Discussion and Cultural Programme”, will begin at 6:30 pm today at the National Theatre Hall. The evening will open with a screening of the documentary “The People’s President”. Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury will attend as chief guest, alongside State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Nawaz Mahmud Khaiyam. The session will be chaired by Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Mofidur Rahman, while Director General Sheikh Rezauddin Ahmed will deliver the welcome address.

The cultural segment will feature a group performance by academy vocalists, followed by solo performances from artistes including Khurshid Alam, Alam Ara Minu, Ferdous Ara and Monir Khan, among others. A dance performance choreographed by Farhana Chowdhury Baby will be presented by the Bangladesh Academy of Fine Arts, while a special piece titled “Colors of Hill” will be staged under the direction of Antar Dewan. Recitation will be performed by Tito Munshi.

Programmes will continue on March 27 at the Studio Theatre Hall with a violin recital featuring patriotic songs, followed by a puppet show by Kaktarua Puppet Theatre. The show will include children’s plays “Fangsang” and “Gulliver’s Travels”, adapted for young audiences.

Later in the evening, the Experimental Theatre Hall will host a special staging of “Tringsho Shatabdi” by the theatre group Swapnadal. Directed by Zahid Repon and inspired by the works of Badal Sircar, the production presents an artistic critique of war, drawing parallels between global conflicts—from Hiroshima and Nagasaki to contemporary crises—and Bangladesh’s Liberation War.

At the end of the theatre programme, Melbourne-based theatre personality Kamruzzaman Balark, recently honoured with Australia’s Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), will be recognised by Swapnadal.

The multi-day event reflects a blend of history, art and social reflection, aiming to engage audiences through diverse cultural expressions.