A haunting portrait of a nine-year-old Palestinian boy who lost both arms during an Israeli attack on Gaza City won the 2025 World Press Photo of the Year Award yesterday.

The production has been lauded for its compelling portrayal of Khona's defiance against patriarchal norms and her quest for equality.​

As the nation now stands on the cusp of renewal, Pahela Baishakh 1432 arrives at a time when the people of Bangladesh are eager to reclaim their cultural voice—seeking a deeper connection to its identity, heritage, and hope. For centuries, it has been an occasion of collective celebration, resilience, and unity.

Popular theatre troupe Prangonemor was all set to stage their acclaimed adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore’s “Shesher Kobita”, with a fresh perspective, as part of the upcoming Chaitra Sankranti and Pahela Baishakh celebrations.

Directed conceptually by actress Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed, the shoot masterfully intertwines the joyous rituals of Biju and heartfelt reunions among friends, reflecting values of empathy, unity, and the universal language of human connection.

The production delves into the nuanced romance between Amit Roy and Labanya Debi, whose chance encounter in Shillong evolves into a profound exploration of love and self-discovery. The play also features pivotal characters such as Shobhonlal and Ketaki, adding depth to the narrative.​

Farooki declared that this year’s New Year celebrations would bring together not just Bengali citizens, but also 27 ethnic communities from across the country. “Diversity is our most powerful and beautiful asset,” he said.

Renowned filmmaker and cultural affairs adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has dismissed concerns that Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy is running without leadership following the recent resignation of its Director General, Syed Jamil Ahmed.

Chhayanaut paid its final respects to one of its founding members and current president, the eminent cultural figure, Rabindra researcher, and musicologist Sanjida Khatun, through the song "Amar Mukti Aloy Aloy”.

The 92-year-old eminent musicologist passed away due to old age complications

Advance ticket sales for the play have already begun through Bangla Theatre. The venue, Riddhi Gallery, is conveniently located near the Mirpur-11 Metro Station, making it easily accessible for interested audiences from across Dhaka.

At its core, "Macbeth" is a tragic tale of unchecked ambition, lust for power, and betrayal. It follows the story of a courageous general, Macbeth, whose relentless ambition drives him to murder King Duncan, seizing the throne for himself.

Directed by French playwright Zazie Hayoun Jazzy, “Song of Hawkers” focuses on the daily lives of Dhaka's hawkers through three light-hearted stories—“The Secret”, “The Thief Rewarded”, and “The Competition”.

Renowned artist Professor Rokeya Sultana has been awarded the prestigious Ekushey Padak this year for her outstanding contributions to fine art. As an internationally recognised artist and a Fulbright Fellow, her deep and unique artistic expression has made her one of the most significant contemporary painters in South Asia.

Anjan Dutt is returning to where it all began—the theatre. After over four decades in cinema, the "Dutta Vs Dutta" star has announced his final stage appearance. His last play, "Aro Ekta Lear", premiered to praise, and is set to return on March 9 again at Kolkata's Gyan Manch. Advance tickets are already available for those eager to witness this final performance.

As I walked into Kalakendra in the capital’s Lalmatia area, I was unsure what to expect from Kabir Ahmed Masum Chisty’s solo exhibition, “Meghnad Badh”, curated by Lala Rukh Selim. I did not personally know the artist or his body of work, yet I was drawn to the premise—a visual reimagining of “Meghnadbad Kabya”, Michael Madhusudan Dutt’s magnum opus that transformed the perception of a character largely dismissed in the mainstream “Ramayana”. What struck me most was the exhibition’s engagement with what Sibaji Bandyopadhyay, in his book “Three Essays on the Ramayana” calls ‘dispersed textuality’—the idea that an epic exists not as a singular, authoritative narrative but as an intricate, layered text that absorbs contradictions and alternative voices.

As the ongoing allegations, contentions and discussions were addressed by the Cultural Advisor Mostafa Sarwar Farooki through his Facebook posts and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs through a press note, Syed Jamil Ahmed clears his stance once again in an interview.

Popular music composer Prince Mahmud has opened up about the issue. On Monday, March 3, Prince Mahmud wrote on Facebook, “Mostofa Sarwar Farooki is fine as an adviser. At least he is not being childish. He is sensitive and knows what to say and do in different situations. The situation demands someone like him.”

This rally, which brought together theatre artistes, writers, directors, designers, and cultural activists, came in the wake of the controversial resignation of Syed Jamil Ahmed, the Academy’s former director general. The procession aims to voice a clear and urgent demand for not only the reinstatement of Ahmed but also for the autonomy of Shilpakala Academy, free from bureaucratic interference.

Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has questioned some of the issues raised by Syed Jamil Ahmed in his statement while handing his resignation as the director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy at a public event.