International Dance Day is being celebrated today across the globe, just like every year amid fanfare, enthusiasm and dance recitals. The day was marked in 1982 by the International Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute on April 29 to commemorate the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810),
the creator of modern ballet.
Every year one renowned dancer or choreographer conveys an International Dance Day message. This year’s message has been delivered by widely-reputed Taiwanese choreographer Lin Hwai-min.
Like previous years, Bangladesh Nritya Shilpi Sangstha (Bangladesh Dance Artists’ Association) and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy have jointly organised a programme to celebrate the day.
Minu Haque, president of BNSS said that this year, the organisation has arranged only a programme at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, whereas the organisation customarily holds a week long colourful celebrations.
‘Due to the restless political situation of the country, the celebration has been kept brief deliberately. However, dance troupes and organisations across the country are celebrating the day from April 23 onwards,’ Minu informs New Age.
The programme at BSA will be inaugurated by Liaquat Ali Lucky, director general of the academy, at 2.30pm. Following that, a seminar paper will be presented by Nigar Chowdhury where Dr Bishwajit Ghosh, Dr Shoama Mumtaz and Golam Mustafa will be present as discussants.
After the seminar, dance artistes will bring out a colourful procession that will parade from BSA to the central Shaheed Minar. Back to BSA, a traditional mangolnritya [a dance recital that welcomes the audience] will be staged at the open space in front of the National Theatre Hall.
In the evening, a total of 25 Dhaka-based dance troupes were initially scheduled to present dance recitals of various genres at the theatre hall. However, Minu Haque informed that due to the recent Savar tragedy and the mourning of the nation, BNSS has decided that only a couple of recitals will be held this year.
This year, BNSS is going to give the honorary award to eminent dance artistes Zeenat Barkatullah and Kamal Ahmed.
BNSS’s activities do not confine only to celebrate the International Dance Day. It is also concerned about the welfare of dance artistes and other dance related activities.
Minu Haque says, ‘We are going to introduce a three-year Bulbul Chowdhury scholarship soon. Two young artistes, one from Dhaka and another from outside the capital, will be given scholarships to learn dance from prominent teachers of the country.’
‘Moreover, for the past few years, BNSS and the department of Music and Theatre, Dhaka University has been pressing DU to launch a Dance department,’ she informed.
Dipa Khandaker, vice-president of BNSS, told New Age, ‘We, from our organization, always attempt to promote healthy cultural practices through various dance forms. Our mission is not commercial, but professional and aesthetic.’
-With New Age input
