Bhashani Hall, the former epicentre of culture, amusement, and gatherings for locals, has been lying abandoned for the last four years. Cultural activists have demanded the repair and reconstruction of the hall to ensure the smooth running of their activities.
A cultural activist explained that one Abul Fazol had laid the foundation stone of the hall near Tangail Stadium in 1976.
Named after Moulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, the hall was formally inaugurated by the then divisional commissioner of Dhaka Kha-e-Alam Khan. The hall offered seating for 1,000 people as well as balconies on the first and second floors. The surroundings of the hall offered space to accommodate larger crowds as well. The slogan of Tangail district, “Nadi-char-khal-beel, gajarir ban— Tangail Sari tar gorver dhan,” is inscribed in the interiors of the hall.
For many years, Bhashani Hall was the only centre for political gatherings in the district. Council sessions of the district wings of Awami League (AL), Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and Jatiya Party (JP), among others, were held in this very hall. The hall was also used for government programmes as well as to showcase documentary films on national holidays.
Bhashani Hall also became the venue for parlour politics during the days of army rule, locals said.
KS Rahman Safi, a citizen of Tangail town, said that the hall used to be a centre for “adda” among cultural activists. Cultural functions on days of national significance as well as on Bengali New Year and Basanta Boron were held at the hall. Dramas were staged here, and it also became a popular venue for discussions, seminars, debates, and cultural competitions. Ekusey Book Fair was held on the premises of Bhashani Hall.
A seminar on Tangail was once held in the hall under the auspices of The Independent. Late editor of The IndependentMahbubul Alam was the chief guest on the occasion. Government departments, non-governmental organisations, educational institutions, political parties, social organisations, and cultural groups would all hire the hall at cheap rates to hold functions.
However, Bhashani Hall has fallen into disrepair and become dilapidated. The abandoned hall, unusable for the last four years, is now under lock and key. Weeds have sprouted at the front of the premises. Street urchins take shelter on its veranda at night.
Cultural organiser Elen Mollik said: “Drama and cultural activities are greatly hampered in the absence of the hall as it used to be the prime centre for cultural performances. It should be renovated or re-constructed as soon as possible.”
The mayor of Tangail municipality, Jamilur Rahman Miron, said that he is lobbying to reconstruct the most important hall of Tangail city.
Tangail’s additional deputy commissioner (general) Mosarraf Hossain Khan revealed: “A project proposal for reconstruction of the hall from the district administration has been forwarded to the Ministry of Culture. The work can start once the proposal is approved.”