The saying, ‘The hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world’ rings true in the artistic journey and pursuits of renowned artist, Professor Rokeya Sultana -- who has, over the years, created a hallmark of her own. Her vast volume of unique works speaks of that reality. Her art practice is largely focused on her internal life and exploration of the feminine, as well as various fluid emotional states and sensual abstract topographies.

The British Council has partnered with the sixth Edinburgh International Culture Summit, held on the occasion of Edinburgh’s 75th anniversary as a Festival City, at the Scottish Parliament from August 26 to 28. K M Khalid, Minister of State, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, represented Bangladesh at the grand cultural exchange.

In a bid to preserve the creative legacy of Kazi Nazrul Islam, Dr Al Amin Khan has been working on several projects related to our beloved National Poet for years. Al Amin, a singer and organiser, founded the ‘Nazrul Centre’ a few years back.

S M Saha Anisuzzaman Faroque’s first solo sculpture and painting exhibition, “Gentle Grass" was inaugurated at La Galerie, Alliance Francaise de Dhaka on August 19.

“Nihshango Lorai”, a jatrapala— a specialised form of folk presentations—was organised by the Department of Drama and Cinematography, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) on August 25. The show was staged at the Experimental Theatre Hall of BSA and was open to the public.

The inauguration of “City Subconscious: An Exhibition by Aananda Antahleen (A Ghartera Project)” took place in Dwip Gallery, Lalmatia, on Friday, August 19 at 5:30 pm. The event was hosted by Ghartera, an ever-evolving art space that goes against the typically restrictive approach to art. Curated by Doito Bonotulshi, Ata Mojlish, and Kazi Tahsin Agaz Apurbo, this exhibition is a visual journal of emerging photographer Aananda Antahleen.

On the occasion of World Photography Day, August 19, Pathshala South Asian Media Institute held the inauguration ceremony for the exhibition “Expanded” at DrikPath Bhobon.

The play “Khawabnama”, based on Akhtaruzzaman Elias’s novel of the same name, will be staged by noted theatre group Prachyanat at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Friday at 7 pm.

The inauguration of “Anonymous-2: A Visual Art Exhibition” took place at Kala Kendra, Iqbal road in Mohammadpur on August 12. The event was graced by the presence of Dr Kirsten Hackenbroch, the director of Goethe Institute, Bangladesh. The curator, Wakilur Rahman in his welcoming speech talked about his initiative to work with artists regardless of their status.

Observing National Mourning Day, Gallery Cosmos organised an exclusive combined art, photography and sculpture exhibition on Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The exhibition, titled 'Braveheart', was inaugurated on Friday, and is currently underway at Cosmos Centre in the capital’s Malibagh.  

The opening ceremony of Liakat Ali’s 8th solo painting exhibition was held on August 5 at La Galerie, Alliance Francaise de Dhaka. The exhibition was graced by the presence of His Excellency Ito Naoki, the Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh, as the chief guest, with Professor Mostafizul Haque taking on the role of special guest for the event.

Azizul Hakim and Salahuddin Lavlu have been close friends since childhood. They were students of same institute, Magura PTI school, until grade 5. After that, both of them shifted to another school in Jessore together, and completed their HSC from there.

'Scarborough Folk Festival', attempting to unite the best in global folk music will be held in Toronto today. The event aims to build bridges between the cultures of different countries, as well as taking the roots of folk culture to the new generation.

Popular theatre troupe Prachyanat is bringing back Eugene O'Neill's "The Hairy Ape", after almost four years, today. This will be the 27th production of Prachyanat’s adaptation, which is titled "Bon Manush". The production will be staged today, July 31, around 7 pm at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy's Experimental Theatre Hall.

On July 23, Gallery Chitrak held the inauguration ceremony of “Phire Dekha”, Prof Mostafizul Haque’s retrospective solo-painting exhibition. The event was graced by the presence of Education Minister, Dr Dipumoni, as the chief guest, with Lily Islam, a leading Rabindra Sangeet artist of Bangladesh, hosting the event.

This Friday, the solo exhibition of artist Sarker Helal Uddin was inaugurated at 6 pm at the capital’s Galleri Kaya in Uttara. Organised by Galleri Kaya, the exhibition is titled “Water Color”.

Today marks the birthday of renowned literary figure Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed. A man of many talents, Sayeed is a renowned writer, television presenter and activist. Of the many hats worn by Sayeed, the most notable is that he is the founder of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro, a non-profit organisation that promotes the study of literature, reading habits and progressive ideas.

The Wow (Women of the World) Festival, organised by the British Council will be held at Rajshahi College on Thursday, July 28.

Eminent artist Hamiduzzaman Khan’s exhibition titled “Form/Formation” started from June 21 at the capital's Kala Kendra art gallery. The exhibition features two-dimensional and three-dimensional artworks by Hamiduzzaman. The show was curated by renowned curator Wakilur Rahman.

M Hamid, noted theatre personality and founder of “Natyachakra”, underwent bypass surgery on Saturday in Dhaka. Actress Tonima Hamid, daughter of M Hamid, confirmed the news to The Daily Star. The actress said that with everyone's prayers and the grace of God, her father's bypass surgery was successful.