Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy launched its ethnic cultural archive through a colouful programme on Monday at
the Music and Dance Center of the academy.
State minister for Social Welfare ministry Promod Mankin as chief guest launched the archive which will preserve documents and elements representing heritages of different ethnic minority groups living in the country.
Cultural affairs secretary Dr Ranjit Kumar Biswas and general secretary of Bangladesh Adivasi Forum Prasanta Kumar Tripura delivered speeches at the programme presided over by Liaquat Ali Lucky, director general of the academy.
The organisers also displayed the collections of the archive featuring ornaments, bow and arrow, baskets, musical instruments, clothes, and books on small ethnic groups.
Following the launching ceremony, artistes of different ethnic groups entertained the audience displaying diverse traditional art forms.
Rakhine artistes presented a traditional dance recital in which women in bright yellow attires danced holding colourful umbrellas in circular motions.
Tripura artistes presented popular bottle dance. The troupe also presented a traditional dance recital usually performed in Baisabi festival.
The Gaaro artistes danced synchronised with a song in their native language titled Ganna khal thang thakre, which means ‘we are Gaaro girls’. The audience enjoyed the melodious music and beautiful dance display.
Santal artistes gave a spontaneous performance with a patriotic song titled Bangla dishan moj dishan.
Chakma artistes displayed the traditional jhum cultivation through an artistically rich dance composition with the song Ille mile buj jay re, meaning hilly woman goes jhum cultivation.
A hunting dance was presented by the artistes of Paharia community.
People of different ethnic groups enjoyed the show. ‘I enjoyed the cultural show and the display of the traditional heritage at the programme,’ Rita Rema, a Gaaro housewife who lives in Dhaka, told New Age.
-With New Age input
