Profile of an accomplished dancer

Hassan Imam

Noted dancer Hassan Imam stepped into the dance firmament in 1965. He received his primary lessons from GA Mannan, one of the maestros in the field. Mannan had established the Nikkon Lalito Kala Academy in Shantinagar. The institute produced many noted dancers of the country. “I am greatly indebted to Mannan,” said Imam.
Imam now works as a senior instructor (dance) of Training Department, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA). He has been working on BSA projects for the last three years. “We usually arrange 15-day workshops and visits to other branches of Shilpakala Academy in the country. The training helps aspiring artistes. In earlier times, there was no efficient trainer at the district level. Some of our students now work for different institutions. Some of them work independently,” said Imam.
Besides being a senior instructor of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Imam is also the secretary general of Surangama Sangeet Academy, Siddeshwari. The organisation offers classes on folk and classical music, Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Sangeet, classical dance and more.
Hassan Imam is a member-secretary of the Television Dance Directors and Dance Artists Association (the 11-member ad hoc committee).
“The committee wants a platform that will voice the concerns of artistes. We want to assemble enlisted dancers of Bangladesh Television. Though the artistes are the backbone of our cultural development, they often do not get what they rightfully deserve. Our prime concern is to fight for their rights,” said the seasoned dancer.