A special photographic exhibition titled "Keeping Childcare in the Picture- A Photographic Exhibition on Childcare Practices in Bangladesh", featuring the work of award-winning photographer Mohammad Rakibul Hasan, will be held at Drik Gallery in Dhaka from May 18 to 20, open daily from 4pm to 8pm.

The solo painting exhibition titled “Debris” by Kazi Salahuddin Ahmed opened its doors at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka, Dhanmondi, yesterday. The event boasts almost 30 acrylic works on board paper, offering viewers a glimpse into the artist’s latest explorations.

The eternal message of Buddhist peace has blossomed in a new light at La Galerie of Alliance Française de Dhaka. The exhibition, titled “The Awakening to Sacred Peace: The Buddha of Bengal”, showcases the wealth of ancient Bengali painting traditions through the works of prominent and emerging Bangladeshi artists. This third edition of the Buddhist-themed exhibition, organised by the Oriental Painting Study Group and Learning Design Studio, reinterprets the aesthetic sensitivity of Buddhist tradition and the spirit of Buddha in Bengal.

The Bangladesh Institute of Film and Arts (BIFA) is set to honour two of the nation’s most iconic dance figures, Shamim Ara Nipa and Shibli Mohammad, with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The event opens with a two-night run (May 16–17) of “Fire” by Avant Garde Natyadal. Written by Suman Tinku and directed by Shamsul Kabir Liton, the play explores provocative themes.

To mark her 11th death anniversary on May 5, Bengal Foundation is hosting a special tribute titled “Novera – Smritir Abhijatra” (“Novera – A Journey Through Memory”) today (May 14) at 4pm, at Level 3, Bengal Shilpalaya, Dhanmondi 27.

Renowned visual arts organisation Drik is set to unveil a special photography exhibition linked to Bandarban today, showcasing a treasure trove of rare photographs spanning over a century. Titled “With My Own Eyes, On My Own Land”, the four-day exhibition will take place at Rajar Math in Bandarban town from May 13 to 16.

Marking a decade of dedication to national cultural expression and the richness of indigenous traditions, cultural organisation Joltorongo is set to celebrate its 10-year journey with a special programme titled “Bhalo Theko Phool” at the Chhayanaut Cultural Center in Dhanmondi.

“O Death O Dance”, a solo visual art exhibition displaying artist Mobassir Alam Mazumder's compositions, is as mystical and beautiful as its name. During its inauguration on May 6 at the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro Art Gallery, veteran painter and Professor Emeritus Rafiqun Nabi graced the event as the chief guest. Artist and writer Professor Abul Mansur and art critic Syed Azizul Haque also attended the ceremony as speakers. Following the affectionate speeches from the guests, Prof Nabi declared the exhibition to be open for visitors.

The day opened with a seminar titled “Comprehensive Sound Analysis: Music and Consciousness”, where Assistant Professor Dr Ali F M Rezowan presented the keynote speech. Department Head Dr Jhumur Ahmed chaired the session, with Assistant Professor Md Mahmudul Hasan serving as moderator.

Curated by Mikhail Idris, the exhibition features more than a hundred artworks by 73 artists from across Bangladesh. The works, inspired by the life, philosophy, and spiritual legacy of Gautama Buddha, explore Buddhist ideals through the lens of Oriental art traditions, merging traditional techniques with contemporary expressions.

Swapnadal’s “Helen Keller” goes deeper than the familiar narrative of perseverance. It reveals the fascinating, often overlooked connection between Helen Keller and Rabindranath Tagore — exploring how the poet-philosopher’s ideas of human dignity, empathy, and universalism profoundly impacted Keller’s worldview. In doing so, the play not only celebrates Keller’s extraordinary triumphs but also spotlights the subtle ways Eastern thought influenced Western history.

As part of the festivities, the Syed Badruddin Hossain Memorial Honor will be awarded posthumously to Dr Afsar Ahmad, the late chairman of the Department of Drama and Dramatics at Jahangirnagar University, and to Mohammad Saiful Islam, an esteemed stage and lighting designer.

For Nazrul Award 2023, the honours go to: Professor Irshad Ahmed Shaheen, a distinguished researcher at the University of South Asia, recognised for his outstanding contribution to Nazrul scholarship. Alongside his academic work in English language and literature, Shaheen has spent decades deepening the understanding of Nazrul’s legacy.

The story begins on October 14, 1954, when Jibanananda Das was gravely injured in a tram accident in Kolkata. The play then journeys through the final nine days of his life, as he lay in Sambhunath Pandit Hospital, facing his dreams, visions, philosophies, and realities from the edge of life. He passed away on October 22, 1954, leaving behind a world he so intimately captured in his poetry.

The exhibition “Ikrimikri: A World of Picture Books” opened on May 2 at La Galerie of Alliance Française de Dhaka, inviting visitors into a whimsical realm where children’s book illustrations come to life. Organised by the children’s publishing collective “Ikrimikri”, the show runs until May 7 and celebrates the power of visual storytelling rooted in Bangladeshi culture.

Kumkum Rani has devoted considerable time and effort to mastering these forms. She has a collection of nearly 700 Radharaman Dhamaail songs. Many folk artistes come to her to learn from her vast repertoire.

This year’s May Day discussion will feature playwright and professor Ratan Siddiqui as the keynote speaker, alongside Harun Rashid, chief editor of Aranyak Natyadal. Staying true to tradition, Aranyak will also release the latest issue of their annual publication, “May Day’s Paper.”

Dwip Gallery in Lalmatia opened its doors to the second exhibition of its kind, “Miniscope 2”, on April 26. Flaunting creative gateways for diverse artists from both Bangladesh and India, it is currently hosting miniature and endearing artworks.

Observed worldwide today, International Dance Day is a global celebration of dance’s power to connect people beyond borders. It’s a day that highlights the joy of movement and raises awareness of dance as an expressive, educational, and unifying force.