Exhibition and seminar on Dhaka’s heritage

A four-day programme organised by Asiatic Society of Bangladesh began with an art exhibition featuring paintings, photographs and artefacts at the art gallery of Asiatic Society in the city from Tuesday to celebrate the 400 years of the capital Dhaka, reports NewAgebd.
As part of the celebration programmes, a three-day international seminar on the history, heritage and urban issues of capital Dhaka began Wednesday morning at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban of Dhaka University.
Minister for information and cultural affairs Abul Kalam Azad inaugurated the seminar scheduled to begin everyday from 10:00am to 5:00pm till February 19.
Dhaka University vice chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh general secretary professor Mahfuza Khanam, the celebration of 400 years of capital Dhaka committee’s chief co-ordinator professor Sharif Uddin Ahmed and deputy chief co-ordinator AKM Golam Rabbani were, among others, present at the inaugural session chaired by Asiatic Society of Bangladesh president professor Sirajul Islam.
The minister, in his inaugural speech, said that the rich heritage of Dhaka could be traced back to the Mughal period when it had developed into one of the fastest growing centres of trade and culture as a provincial capital.
‘Dhaka is also one of the important cities in South Asia. But lack of proper planning has created problems for the city dwellers in terms of accommodation, transport, electricity and other facilities. The present government is committed to resolving all these problems by taking immediate steps,’ he added.
AAMS Arefin Siddique said that all the progressive movements involving education and culture in Bangladesh had revolved around Dhaka.
‘I hope that the exhibition and the international seminar will really help preserve the heritage of Dhaka,’ he added.
Eminent researchers from home and abroad including countries like the USA, England, France, Finland and India will present about 90 papers in 18 sessions.
The papers to be presented in the seminar will be published in three volumes both in English and Bangla, titled ‘Political and Administrative History of Capital Dhaka’, ‘Economic, Social and Cultural life of Capital Dhaka’ and ‘Urbanisation and Urban Development of Capital Dhaka’.
On the opening day, Habiba Khatun, Abdul Momin Chowdhury, Jon E Wilson, Chittabrata Palit, Sharif Uddin Ahmed, Chittaranjan Mishra and Golam Rabbani presented papers, reflecting mostly on Dhaka under the Mughal and the British rule.
The art exhibition will remain open everyday from 3:00pm to 8:00pm till February 28.

Courtesy of NewAgebd