For most of 2020, the coronavirus outbreak halted the activities of art galleries and event spaces. Although galleries across the world quickly turned to digital avenues, the artist community in Bangladesh picked up pace slowly. After several months of inactivity, galleries in the country came out of hibernation, with stringent precautions. Aiming to adapt to the new normal, these spaces got ready to welcome visitors. Here are some key moments from the art scene in Bangladesh that made headlines this year.

The Covid-19 pandemic rendered the music industry into disarray for the first few months, one which it tried hard to fight back. Even though the year is musical activities were largely limited to online releases and ‘live’ concerts on social media, we did see a number of notable releases from artistes.

Single-screen theatres have seen a drastic decline in numbers over the last two decades, and the 70-odd in the country that were in operation,

The pandemic-riddled year was a challenging one for the entertainment industry. Since March, all activities had come to a halt, with television and web projects incurring huge losses.

For the first time, eminent music composer and noted lyricist Prince Mahmud has collaborated with popular singer Krishnokoli Islam.

The entertainment arena in Bangladesh lost several notable artistes throughout the year, creating a never-to-be-filled void. As we approach the New Year, The Daily Star takes a moment to mourn the stars we lost in 2020.

As a live art form, theatre was particularly affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Walking through the empty spaces felt like walking through a time capsule—before mandatory face masks and instructions to stay six feet apart, these spaces were filled with lights, sounds, captivating scenes and applause of spectators. Despite the difficulties and uncertainties, theatre practitioners remained resilient and determined in their intentions.

Renowned dancer and actor Zeenat Barkatullah has been put on life support at a hospital in Dhaka.

Today (December 29) marks the 106th birth anniversary of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, the pioneer of the art education movement in Bangladesh.

Renowned actor Aupee Karim became mother to a baby girl at 11:30 am today, at a private hospital in the capital. Director Amitabh Reza Chowdhury confirmed the news to The Daily Star.

Oscar-winning composer A R Rahman's mother, Kareema Begum, died in Chennai today, sources close to the family said.

The title is bound to raise some eyebrows. For most of us, the average Bengali orchestra music is strictly “Western”, or represented by hallmarks of Beethoven or Mozart.

Today marks eminent poet, novelist and playwright Syed Shamsul Haq’s 85th birthday.

Eminent dancer Zeenat Barkatullah is in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a private hospital in the capital, after falling critically ill. The news was posted by her daughter, renowned actor Bijori Barkatullah.

The recipients of this year’s Gemcon Shahitya Puroshkar (Gemcon Literary Award) were announced at a virtual ceremony today. Kazi Anis Ahmed, director of Gemcon Group and publisher of Dhaka Tribune, announced the names of the winners.

Renowned actor Abdul Kader passed away today at the capital’s Evercare Hospital at 8:20 am. The news was confirmed by his daughter-in-law, Zahida Islam.

The latest renditions of songs uploaded through your studio page are mind-blowing. What other projects are you working on now?

Nuhash Humayun is one of the most promising young filmmakers in the country, proving his pedigree with many web projects, short films, TVCs and music videos. He is also one of the directors of Bangladesh’s first anthology film “Iti Tomari Dhaka”, which was recently selected for an Oscar nomination in the International category.

“Taqdeer”, the fourth Hoichoi original from Bangladesh, released on December 18, 2020. It is gaining immense appreciation and rave reviews from different corners of the world, besides Bangladesh and India. In a recent chat with The Daily Star, the creators Syed Ahmed Shawki and Saleh Sobhan Auneem spoke about the success of the show.

The last film to be released this year, “The Grave”, directed by Gazi Rakayet, hits theatres today. The first ever English film from Bangladesh, “The Grave” carries the Bangla title, “Gor”. Both the English and Bangla versions of the film will be running at Silver Screen Cinema Hall in Chattogram.