Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy lifted the curtain on a six-day festival with the aim of promoting dance practice on Sunday.
The festival, titled Ganajagoroner Nrittya Utsab, is featuring 67 local dance troupes from across the country and four troupes from the United States.
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy director general Liaquat Ali Lucky was present as chief guest at the inaugural ceremony.
The academy secretary Salahuddin Ahammad delivered the welcome speech at the programme.
President of Bangladesh Nrittya Shilpi Shongstha Minu Haque was also present at the event.
‘We want to spread dance practice across the country. I hope that the festival will play a role in spreading dance practice. I invite people from all walks of life to visit the festival,’ said Liaquat Ali Lucky.
Following the inaugural ceremony, dance troupe Nrittyanchal staged a Kathak dance composition under the direction of dance artistes Shamim Ara Nipa and Shibli Mohammad.
Bhangima Dance Theatre from Dhaka staged Priyo Bangladesh under the direction of Syeda Saila Ahmed Lima, Nandan Kala Kendra artistes staged a dance recital titled Sororitu under the direction of MR Wasek and Mash/Mahabub Choreography troupe staged Amader Bangladesh under the direction of Mashrur Rahman and Hossain Mahabub.
Besides, local dance troupes, namely Tapasya, Academy of Fine Arts, Nrittalok Sangskritik Kendra, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangladesh Academy of Fine Arts and the New York-based dance troupe Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts entertained the audience staging dance recitals on the opening day of the festival.
Between eight and nine local and foreign dance troupes will perform in the festival each day and the performances of the United States-based dance troupes will be screened online at the festival.
Dance troupes, namely Nrittyashur, Nrittyachanda, Rhythm Dance Group, Dhrupadi Nrittyalaya, Nachghar, Alifia Squad and others are scheduled to perform today.
The festival will end on October 27.
