5-day cultural prog to be held by Shilpakala marking Bangla New Year
DHAKA, April 11, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy will organise a five-day colourful programme from April 13 to 17 marking Chaitra Sankranti and Bangla New Year 1433.
With support from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the academy will host cultural festivals, performances by ethnic minority groups, and a Baishakhi fair as part of the celebrations. The events will remain open to all.
The programme will feature a wide range of rural traditions and folk cultural elements, including dhol performances, lathi khela, kite flying, spinning top games, jari, sari and puthi recitations, jatra, kobigan, gazir gaan, gambhira, bhawaiya songs, film screenings and various Baishakhi fair attractions.
The inaugural ceremony will be held on April 13 at 3 pm at the open stage of the academy. Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury will attend as chief guest, while Chief Whip of Jatiya Sangsad Nurul Islam Moni will be present as special guest.
On the first day, the Bangladesh folk art exhibition will be inaugurated at Gallery-4 of the National Art Gallery building. The cultural programme will begin with a 50-member orchestra performance titled "Tora Sab Joydhoni Kor", followed by Dhamaail dance featuring 30 performers.
Folk performances include jari and recitation of puthi, along with performances by ethnic minority communities. A jatra production titled "Rahim Badshah Rupban Kanya" will be staged by the Shilpakala Academy repertory jatra unit.
On April 14, a colourful procession will be brought out from the academy premises, followed by mass singing of the national anthem and "Eso He Baishakh". The day will also feature kobigan, gazir gaan, gambhira, baul songs, and performances by ethnic communities.
On April 15, a cultural programme will be held at the National Theatre Hall featuring performances by JASAS. Music direction will be led by Ethen Bablu, while an acrobatic performance by the Rajbari Shilpakala Academy troupe will also be staged.
On April 16, ethnic cultural performances titled "Jati Boichitro Baishakhi Utsab" will be presented, followed by a puppet show titled "Bacherer Bie" at 7 pm at the Experimental Theatre Hall.
The concluding day on April 17 will feature performances of Jalalgeeti, Bhawaiya, Baul songs and ethnic group presentations, along with band music by Shilpakala Academy and guest artists. The closing programme will also include a screening of the film "Beder Meye Josna" directed by Tozammel Haque Bokul.
