Keeping up with the trends, like the previous years, Bangladesh Nritya Shilpi Shangstha (BNSS) celebrated the International Dance Day on Monday. Celebrating the occasion, BNSS, in association with Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), organised a weeklong event on the premises of BSA in Segun Bagicha of the capital.  

With the theme ‘Amar Nupurer Dhoni Chhorak Manobatar Bani’ (Let the sound of my anklet spread the message of humanity), the weeklong event began on April 23. BSA Director General Liaquat Ali Lucky and Dance Guru Amanul Haque inaugurated the event at the academy’s Art Plaza. The event came to an end with honouring a dance artiste with a memorial award on Monday.

The programme of the concluding day started with a dance performance titled ‘Tumi Mangal Kore He’ at the Music and Dance Centre Auditorium of BSA in the morning. After that, the dance artistes presented a number of performances with the songs titled ‘Anandoloke Mangaloke’, ‘O Amar Desher Mati’, ‘Bahal Koria’, and ‘Bokul Phul’.

A seminar styled ‘Charyapode Nrityer Chhondo’ (Beat of Dance in Charyapada) held at the seminar room of BSA. Dance artiste and researcher Dr Nigar Chowdhury presented the keynote paper in the seminar.

The day-long programme also featured seminar, rally, discussion, dance show.

In the evening, the artistes of different dance organisations across the country performed at the National Theatre Hall and Art Plaza. At the programme, ‘Nritya Gurumata Rahijha Khanam Jhunu Memorial Award’ was bestowed on Deepa Khandakar, a senior artiste in the country’s dance arena. State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid was the chief guest at the award ceremony and discussion event. BNSS president Minu Haq delivered speech at the programme. l