Nrityanchal marks 25 years with three-day dance festival

Nrityanchal is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a three-day dance festival at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, bringing together more than 700 young and senior dancers across two major productions.

The festival began on September 11 with a rally on the academy premises, attended by Nrityanchal’s teachers, students and performers, alongside its directors, dancers and choreographers Shamim Ara Nipa and Shibli Mohammad.

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The second day featured “Chhoray Chhonde Nrityomala”, a production centred on children’s rhymes and educational themes. More than 400 children and teenage students of Nrityanchal took part in the performance at the National Theatre Hall on September 12.

Nipa choreographed the production, while Mohammad supervised the overall programme. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid attended as chief guest, alongside Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Director General Rezauddin Stalin and other cultural figures.

Combining dance, rhythm, education and entertainment, the production featured performances based on children’s rhymes and themes aimed at younger audiences.

The festival will conclude today, September 13, with “Nrityomalika” at the National Theatre Hall. Featuring more than 300 performers alongside Nrityanchal’s senior artistes, the programme will showcase folk, creative and classical dance.

Nipa and Mohammad will also perform a special duet during the closing programme. Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury is scheduled to attend as chief guest.

A photographic exhibition documenting Nrityanchal’s 25-year journey is also being held in the lobby of the National Theatre Hall on September 12 and 13. The exhibition features photographs and memorabilia tracing the organisation’s activities, performances and milestones since its establishment.

Founded in 2001, Nrityanchal has grown into a dance training institution under the leadership of Nipa and Mohammad, providing training and performance opportunities across several dance traditions.

The organisation’s anniversary celebrations have included programmes throughout the year, including a Bharatanatyam evening in June that recognised three dance gurus for their contributions to the classical dance form in Bangladesh.

The 25th-anniversary festival is being held with Maasranga Television as media partner and Shah Cement as associate partner.