The 16th Classical Music and Dance Festival, a six-day event organized by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, concluded with splendid performances of unconventional ragas and classical dances. The festival, aimed at promoting classical music and dance, ended at the Jatiya Natyashala Auditorium under the management of the Department of Music, Dance, and Recital.
The closing ceremony featured a variety of classical tunes and dances. The evening began with an ensemble classical music performance of 'Kheyal' by the academy's music course trainees, led by Imamur Rashid. They performed Raga Bhupali, Kalyan.
Following this, the 'Manipuri Loima' dance was performed by the Academy for Manipuri Culture and Arts, Sylhet. Antara Mandal then presented a solo music piece in Raga Madhubanti. This was followed by a 'Dhrupada' performance by A. K. M. Kaushik Ahmed, accompanied by Ferdous Hasan on Pakhwaz.
Zuairiyah Mouli directed and performed the classical dance 'Bharatanatyam', representing Ardhanarishvara's masculine and feminine power. Sheikh Abidur Rahman Kochi showcased Kathak, Shiva Vandana, and Tarana. FM Rezwan Ali performed an unconventional raga, followed by Urbi Som with a 'Thumri' in Raga Madhyamjan Pilu.
Other performances included Sudeshna Swayangprabha's Manipuri dance, Mohana Meem's Bharatnatyam, and Dr. Mahua Mukherjee’s Gaudiya dance. Imamur Rashid performed a solo music Dhrupad in Raag Bhupali. Deepa Sarkar performed Kathak, and Afroja Akhter Rupa sang Raga Marubihag.
The festival concluded with a performance by the Shishu Kishore Sangeet Band of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, who played Rag-Emon under the direction of Dr. Shekhar Mandal. The event celebrated the rich tradition of classical music and dance, encouraging the next generation of artists.
