Artistic traditions grow in popularity
WITH a fine tradition of modern painting to its credit, Bangladesh is rich in art and culture.
Modern pioneers that include Zainul Abedin, Kamrul Hassan, Anwarul Haque and Shafiuddin Ahmed continue to advance the scope of the country's art scene.
Abedin gained international recognition for his sketches of the Bengal famine of 1943.
Bangladesh also excels in performing arts - music, dance, drama and cinema.
Classical, folk and tribal traits are the prominent forms of dance in Bangladesh.
The Shilpakala Academy, Music College and Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts have played an important role in the promotion of dance in the country.
Other cultural organisations also help popularise this art.
The country produces about 65 feature films a year. The Bangladesh Film Development Corp, Film Archive and the Department of Films and Publications are helping the development of the film industry.
Drama in Bangladesh has an old tradition. In Dhaka more than a dozen theatre groups regularly stage locally written plays as well as those adapted from famous writers - mainly of European origin.
In Rajshahi, Khulna and Chittagong, too, a number of groups stage dramas. There are more than 50 theatre groups in the country.
Jatra - or depictions of mythological episodes, love lores and legendary acts of heroism - are popular, particularly in the rural areas.
The country takes pride in the profusion of poetry, essays, drama, books and other literary works.
The Bangla Academy, Nazrul Institute, Shilpakala Academy and other institutions all play a role in encouraging young performers.
The publishing industry is also getting a fillip from the increase in the local demand for books and journals.
