AGP Executive Report

Cultural Identity: A young activist’s defacing of Rabindranath Tagore’s mural in Dhaka has sharpened debate over the poet’s place in Bangladesh’s heritage. Musicians answered with a public rendition of “Ekla Cholo Re.” Art Across Borders: Bangladeshi artist and academic Prof Dr Md Abdus Sattar presented his work and creative journey at an exhibition in Islamabad, highlighting cultural ties between Bangladesh and Pakistan. Lalon’s Legacy: The Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy marked the Baul mystic’s 136th death anniversary with a programme celebrating his message of equality and humanity. Durga Puja Traditions: Dhak drummers remain the festival’s heartbeat, but the seasonal performers who sustain the tradition face the pressures of making a living in the capital.

Lalon’s Legacy: Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy marked the Baul mystic’s 136th death anniversary with a programme celebrating his message of equality, humanity and freedom of belief. Creative Technology: A two-day PRISM AI bootcamp at Dhaka University explored using AI in films, advertising, music videos and fashion while protecting human creativity and ethical practice. Art Scene: Art Dhaka plans to bring traditional and contemporary art together in November. Design Recognition: Karupannya’s Green Field Factory, built around workers’ wellbeing, won a major RIBA architecture award. Cultural Exchange: A Bangladeshi troupe arrived in Islamabad to showcase local heritage as Pakistan welcomed cultural exchange programmes.

Cultural Exchange: A 15-member Bangladeshi troupe has arrived in Islamabad to showcase local music, dance and visual art at Pakistan’s National Council of the Arts and Lok Virsa, opening new opportunities for cross-border collaboration. Photography: Arif Abdullah’s solo exhibition, Listening Beyond Sight, opened at Alliance Française de Dhaka, exploring how he uses lines, shapes and textures after progressive vision loss. Nazrul Tribute: Artists celebrated Kazi Nazrul Islam’s music, poetry and ideals of equality at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Art and Fashion: Art Dhaka is set to unite traditional and contemporary art in November, while designer Asad Sattar has brought Bangladeshi fashion to the BRICS+ Fashion Summit.

Durga Puja Arts: Gulshan-Banani’s puja mandap will showcase Jalaja, a cosmic homage to life, creation and divine power. Dhallywood is also preparing three films for the festival, with Sneher Bondhon set to open Friday. Lalon Tribute: Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy will mark the folk philosopher’s 136th death anniversary on Saturday with talks and performances by leading Lalon singers. Music Ties: Bangladeshi singers Samarjit Roy and Anupama Mukti paid tribute to Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar and Manna Dey at an Indian High Commission cultural evening in Dhaka. Art and Fashion: Art Dhaka plans to bring traditional and contemporary work together in November, while designer Asad Sattar showcased Bangladeshi fashion at the BRICS+ Fashion Summit in Moscow.

Durga Puja Arts: Gulshan-Banani’s “Jalaja” mandap draws on water’s place in Bengali life and spirituality, using bamboo, cane and other natural materials to create an immersive festival space. Music and Ties: Bangladeshi singers Samarjit Roy and Anupama Mukti paid tribute to Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar and Manna Dey at a Dhaka concert celebrating music’s role in connecting Bangladesh and India. Art Dhaka: A new fair set for November 6–10 will bring traditional, modern and contemporary art together through exhibitions, installations and performances. Fashion: Arka Fashion Week founder Asad Sattar represented Bangladesh at the BRICS+ Fashion Summit, calling for a shift from “Made in Bangladesh” to “Designed in Bangladesh.” Design Recognition: Rangpur’s Green Field Factory won the RIBA International Prize for blending greenery and Bengali homestead influences with worker-focused amenities.

Lalon Tribute: Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy will mark the 136th death anniversary of Fakir Lalon Sai on October 17 with a discussion and a concert celebrating his music and humanist philosophy. Music: Singer Kornia says judging RTV’s Little Star Season 2 has been a new experience; the show’s finale is set for October 18. Durga Puja: Gulshan-Banani Sarbojanin Puja Foundation has chosen “Jalaj”—born of water—as its theme, drawing on water’s spiritual and life-giving symbolism. Books: Oitijhya Book Carnival begins Thursday at Bangla Academy, bringing readers and publishers together. Cultural Heritage: Four people have been arrested over an alleged attempt to deface a Rabindranath Tagore mural in Dhaka.

Books & Performance: Oitijhya Book Carnival opens today at Bangla Academy, running through October 31 with new book launches, children’s art activities, workshops, music and a solo play. Cultural Heritage: Portraits of Begum Rokeya, Jasimuddin and Jibanananda Das have appeared on a Segunbagicha footpath, while Sanjeeb Chowdhury’s omission has drawn notice. A recent attack on a Tagore mural also sparked a public response, with hundreds singing Rabindra Sangeet in protest. Film & Music: The film Onnopata is eyeing a Durga Puja release, and Mahfuza Rumi has released a new song, “Somudro Jole.” Bangladeshi Art Abroad: Artist Naeem Mohaiemen is among more than 120 participants in the inaugural Rubaiya Qatar, opening in Doha next month.

Durga Puja: The festival begins Friday, with artisans putting finishing touches on idols for celebrations across Bangladesh. Independent Music: Narsingdi singer Rimon Hasan is building an audience on YouTube and Spotify, while Mahfuza Rumi has released a new song, “Somudro Jole”; music artist Rushnaf Wadud has also died. Film: “Onnopata” and “Sneher Bondhon” are both planned for Durga Puja releases. Cultural Heritage: After Rabindranath Tagore’s graffiti was defaced in Dhaka, hundreds gathered to sing Rabindra Sangeet in protest; Bengal Shilpalay is also presenting an exhibition tracing seven decades of drawing. Family Entertainment: The Togumogu Autumn Fair opens in Uttara on October 15, with puppet and magic shows, craft workshops and free film screenings.

Eurovision Asia: Bangladesh is among 11 countries set to compete in the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia, airing live from Bangkok on November 14. Cultural Heritage: Two years after vandalism shut Dhaka’s Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, its 30,000-book library remains inaccessible, leaving a cultural bridge and its future in doubt. Film and Music: Dhallywood’s Onnopata is targeting a Durga Puja release, while Mahfuza Rumi has released the new song “Somudro Jole.” Art and Cinema: Dhaka’s Bengal Shilpalay is showing seven decades of drawing in “Unbroken Line”; at Belgrade’s FEST, Bangladeshi film Master won the world competition’s screenplay award. Tagore Tribute: After Rabindranath Tagore’s Dhaka mural was defaced, hundreds gathered to sing Rabindra Sangeet in protest.

Film: Student-made feature Onnopata, about university admissions, family pressure and young love, is targeting a Durga Puja release after nearly two years in production. Filmmaker Touqir Islam also spoke about Delupi, his debut inspired by flood-hit villagers and Bangladesh’s 2024 upheaval, with Anurag Kashyap helping introduce it internationally. Music: Mahfuza Rumi has released the heartbreak song “Somudro Jole,” while folk singer Ankon Yasmin received a special citation in New Jersey and Best Female Folk Singer at the Dhallywood Music Awards in New York. Fashion: Prem’s Collection unveiled its wedding-season range in a showcase featuring Jaya Ahsan, Nusrat Faria, Bidya Sinha Mim and other stars. Visual arts: Bengal Shilpalay’s Unbroken Line traces seven decades of drawing; the Liberation War Museum and AFD are also presenting the French film Le Voyage de Rézé.

Music: Independent artist Rushnaf Wadud, lead vocalist of Blunderware and The Attempted Band, has died after a heart attack. He also appeared in the anthology film Sincerely Yours, Dhaka, and his death has prompted tributes from across Bangladesh’s music and film communities. Durga Puja on Screen: Dhallywood is preparing three films for the festival season, including Sneher Bondhon. Art & Memory: Bangladesh’s culture minister says artists have a vital role in preserving memories of the July uprising. Earlier, filmmaker Tayeba Begum Lipi discussed identity and art at the Cosmos Art Echo, while Ghumpori won the festival’s Best Film in the Popular category. Live Music: Repeated concert cancellations continue to unsettle Dhaka’s live music scene.

Art & Memory: Artists are helping preserve the July uprising for future generations through paintings at a Dhaka art camp, “Memory Against Oblivion.” The museum plans to keep the works on display. Durga Puja Films: Dhallywood has three releases lined up for the festival. “Sneher Bondhon” opens October 16, while “Cut-Piece” explores the garment-waste trade and “Chirkut” turns to campus memories. Books & Film: “Ghumpori” won Best Film in the Popular category, while recent coverage also spotlights Bangladeshi storytellers and new literary voices. Live Music: Dhaka’s concert scene remains unsettled, with repeated cancellations raising concerns for organisers and audiences.

Tagore Tribute: Four people have been shown arrested over the defacement of a Rabindranath Tagore mural in Dhaka. Hundreds gathered to sing Rabindra Sangeet in protest, turning the attack into a public show of cultural solidarity. Dhaka’s Concert Scene: Repeated cancellations are rattling the city’s live-music scene, while Chhayanaut and schools brought audiences together for an autumn celebration. Culture & Creativity: Recent calls to use culture as a strategic tool put Bangladesh’s artists and creative industries in the spotlight. Fashion & Film: Bangladesh’s pavilion opened at Fashion World Tokyo, and the film Sneher Bondhon is set to reach cinemas during Durga Puja.

Tagore Mural: A newly painted Rabindranath Tagore mural in Dhaka was defaced, prompting hundreds to gather and sing Rabindra Sangeet in protest; four people were detained. Living Craft: Artisans in Munshiganj are keeping the tradition of Lakshmi Sara alive, making painted earthenware plates for religious rituals. Film: Joy Chowdhury’s Sneher Bondhon, a family drama based on a true story, is set to open in cinemas on October 16, with the team planning a major promotional push. Autumn Arts: Dhaka welcomed Sharot with music, poetry and cultural performances at events hosted by Satyen Sen Shilpigosthi and Chhayanaut. Taslima’s Return: Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen says she hopes to return to Kolkata next year for the book fair and Durga Puja.

Tagore’s Mural: A newly painted portrait outside Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy was defaced with black ink, and four people were detained for questioning. The incident stirred debate over which cultural figures the mural represents; hundreds later sang Rabindra Sangeet in protest. Dhaka’s Music Scene: Repeated concert cancellations are rattling the live-music scene, while concerns grow over bookings for foreign artists. Durga Puja Arts: Old Dhaka’s idol-makers are racing to finish festival orders as costs rise. Chhayanaut and schools also joined an autumn celebration. Film & Visual Art: A new Bengali film revisits Tagore’s rift with Sarat Chandra over Pather Dabi. Tayeba Begum Lipi discussed art, life and identity at Cosmos Art Echo, and a “Parijat on Canvas” exhibition was announced.

Mahalaya & Durga Puja: Kolkata’s Eden Gardens drew about 40,000 people for West Bengal’s first government-organised Puja celebration, featuring a Durga-themed drone show, 3,000 dhaakis and musical performances. In Dhaka, Old Town idol-makers are racing to complete Puja orders. Film & Literature: A new Bengali film revisits Rabindranath Tagore’s refusal to support Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s novel Pather Dabi, bringing a literary dispute back to the screen. Visual Arts: Artist Tayeba Begum Lipi discusses art, identity and belonging at the 13th Cosmos Art Echo; Gallery Chitrak is also preparing a Durga-themed exhibition, Shilpir Chokhey Durga. Live Music: Dhaka’s concert scene faces mounting uncertainty, with repeated cancellations disrupting plans for audiences and performers.