The festival featured musical and dance performances, puthi recitation, an art exhibition, a quiz competition and a science and mathematics fair.

Ahmed was associated with the country's rock music scene as a guitarist and was one of the co-founders of Mechanix.

Alliance Française de Dhaka hosted “Tagore’s French Encounter - An Evening of Tagore Songs & Poems” on Friday, bringing together music and reflections on Rabindranath Tagore’s engagement with French literature, art and culture.

A memorial programme commemorating writer, researcher, folk musician and freedom fighter Dinu Billah was held at the National Theatre Seminar Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka yesterday.

A Kabir-Lalon spiritual music festival was held at the auditorium of the Barishal District Shilpakala Academy today (Friday), featuring musical performances and discussions centred on the philosophies of saint Kabir and Fakir Lalon Shah.

Irish radio station Classic Hits Radio has removed Ed Sheeran’s music from its playlist following the controversy over rapper Macklemore’s removal from the singer’s Loop Tour.

The national festival began on September 11 and is being held across all eight divisions of the country.

Ed Sheeran, who is worth around $400 million, has faced backlash following the removal of Macklemore from his US “Loop Tour”. Several stadium venues objected to the rapper performing after his “Free Palestine” remarks, while Sheeran shared that Macklemore’s removal was the promoter’s decision, not his.

Madonna is set to open this year’s MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) with her first live performance at the ceremony in 23 years.

Rapper Macklemore has announced that he will donate $1 million — his entire net earnings from his shortened stint on Ed Sheeran’s "Loop Tour" — to six organisations supporting Palestinians.

Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters, who has long been an outspoken supporter of Palestine, has weighed in on the controversy surrounding Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s "Loop Tour".

Taylor Swift’s surprise appearance at this year’s Emmy Awards came from an idea developed after host Mariska Hargitay’s writers began brainstorming ways to include the pop star in the show.

During the shows, he spoke in support of Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, repeatedly saying “Free Palestine”.

Popular singer Bappa Mazumder is set to bring a dazzling musical evening for his fans and listeners. The artiste will perform his popular songs at the Krishibid Institution auditorium in the capital on October 9.

The rapper, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, had been the opening act for Sheeran’s Loop tour. He was criticised by Jewish groups after saying “Free Palestine” at two concerts and making political speeches.

The concert was Dion’s first full show since March 2020.

She is currently in Bangladesh and will travel to the United States on September 22. She plans to return after two months, after which she will complete the remaining preparations and officially announce the academy.

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.

Parveen died on September 13, 2025, after suffering from kidney complications. She was 70.

Pop star Lady Gaga has welcomed her first child with fiancé Michael Polansky. The 40-year-old Grammy winner and Polansky are now parents to their first baby together.