Benuka Lalitakala Kendra celebrated its 46th founding anniversary and Nazrul Year 2026 with a cultural programme at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on October 3.
Held under the slogan “Practising indigenous culture is essential for the development of a healthy culture,” the programme featured music, dance and poetry based on the works of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam and other prominent Bengali cultural figures.
The event began at 6:20pm with an opening dance titled “Jagaran,” featuring Nazrul’s poems and songs. The performance was based on a concept developed by Benuka founder, Ekushey Padak and Shilpakala Award-winning cultural personality late Md Golam Mostafa Khan.
The programme, titled “Benuka’s Melody in the Light of Heritage,” also highlighted the organisation’s 46-year journey, achievements, challenges, current activities and future plans.
Benuka’s principal and general secretary presented the organisation’s activities and called for greater attention and support from the government, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and other stakeholders for mainstream cultural organisations working to preserve and promote indigenous culture.
Prominent Nazrul Sangeet artiste Salauddin Ahmed was honoured with the Benuka Award 2026 for his contribution to Nazrul music.
The programme was chaired by Maj Gen (retd) Sadiq Hasan Rumi, chairman of Benuka’s Advisory Council.
The performances by Benuka’s young students, artistes and instructors captivated the audience. A special presentation featuring song and powerful dance was dedicated to the centenary of Nazrul’s celebrated creation “Kandari Hushiar.”
The performers presented a selection of Nazrul’s songs, poems and dance pieces from different periods of his creative life.
Children’s performances of Nazrul’s poem “Lichu Chor” and Rabindranath Tagore’s song “O Jonaki Ki Sukhe Oi Dana Duti Melechho” were among the highlights of the evening. Students of Benuka’s guitar department also added a different dimension to the programme.
The event concluded with excerpts from “Benukar Sur,” a musical dance-drama based on Nazrul’s romantic songs and poetry. The production was originally conceived and directed by Md Golam Mostafa Khan in 1983.
Revisiting portions of the 43-year-old production through a new generation of performers received appreciation from the audience and organisers alike.
The programme featured well-organised stage management and carefully planned performances, demonstrating the institution’s commitment to presenting Bengali heritage and indigenous culture in an engaging form.
Through its anniversary celebration, Benuka once again demonstrated how traditional Bengali culture can be presented in an accessible and compelling way while maintaining its artistic depth and heritage.
