The 3rd International Symposium on ‘Music and Allied Arts of Greater South Asia’ commenced on Thursday, at the Bangladesh Asiatic Society auditorium, organised by DU’s Department of Dance. DU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr A S M Maksud Kamal inaugurated the event, focusing on ‘The Climate Crisis and its Impact on the Arts’.
Dean of DU Faculty of Arts Prof Dr Abdul Bashir presided over the opening session, with Asaduzzaman Noor, MP, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof Dr Sitesh Chandra Bachar, and distinguished international guests including Prof Dr Svanibor Pettan from Ljubljana University, Prof Dr K D Lasanthi Manaranjanie from the University of Visual Arts and Design Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, and Prof Dr Richard Kent Wolf from Harvard University.
Professor Emeritus Dr Syed Manzoorul Islam delivered the keynote speech, emphasising the role of arts in addressing climate change. Chairperson Monira Parveen of DU’s Dance Department welcomed participants, and Associate Professor Dr Sayeem Rana expressed gratitude in his vote of thanks.
Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Kamal urged global cultural activists to raise awareness on climate issues through their art, stressing the impact of carbon emissions on South Asian nations, particularly Bangladesh.
The symposium, attended by 63 delegates and artists from ten countries, aims to foster dialogue and action on these critical environmental challenges.
