A potpourri of dance styles

A number of dancers, troupes and schools assembled at different venues of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) to celebrate International Dance Day 2018 on April 29. Bangladesh Nritya Shilpi Sangstha (BNSS) in association with BSA arranged a weeklong (April 23-29) dance festival at BSA premises. Apart from dance fair, performances, seminar, rally and felicitation to dance artistes, the grand celebration programme, held at the National Theatre Hall of BSA, featured discussion and dance recitals.

Eminent cultural personality and journalist Kamal Lohani graced the event as chief guest while Nasiruddin Yousuff, president, ITI, Bangladesh and Golam Kuddus, president, Sammilito Sangskritik Jote, attended the programme as special guests. The organisers honoured noted dance artiste Selina Haque with Nrityagurumata Rahijha Khanam Jhunu Memorial Award at the event. They also felicitated renowned dance artistes Amanul Haque and Golam Mostafa Khan on the occasion. This year BNSS stepped into the 40th year of journey. President Minu Haque and general secretary Mahfuzur Rahman of BNSS delivered the welcome addresses.

Later, artistes from different troupes including Nrityam, Kathak Nritya Sampradaye, Bangladesh Academy of Fine Arts, Pallavi Dance Centre, Rewaz Performing Arts School and Nrityashoili, Sylhet, performed classical, contemporary, srijanshil and folk dances at the event.

Noted dance troupe Nrityanchal also hosted a grand celebration programme to mark International Dance Day. The event, held at National Art Gallery Plaza of BSA, featured classical, folk, srijanshil and modern dances. Young artistes of the school performed at the programme, jointly directed by Shameem Ara Nipa and Shibli Mohammad. 

The winners of the inter-class dance competition of Nrityanchal Performing Arts Academy performed an array of dance pieces set on Tagore songs, Nazrul Sangeet, poems and folk numbers.

International Dance Day is a global celebration of dance, created by the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), the main partner for the performing arts of UNESCO. The event takes place every year on 29th April, the anniversary of the birth of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810), the creator of modern ballet. The day strives to encourage participation and education in dance through events and festivals held on the day all over the world.