Rafi Hossain: Today, we have the mother-daughter duo Sharmila Banerjee and Sudeshna Swayamprabha. We have been in a place where we do not know what the future holds for any forms of art. What do you both think the future holds for dance?
Sharmila: Even though we were locked in our houses due to lockdown, productivity did not remain stagnant. At the beginning of lockdown, I started taking classes online. I was feeling a lot of mental anguish in lockdown, so for me, teaching dance classes online was a good way of doing that. Most people attending these classes were also happy with doing the classes online, as it may have also helped them get distracted from the ongoing pandemic. Most of the institutions around the world have also been doing online classes during the pandemic. There were even festivals held online where students were able to send recordings of their dancing. During this pandemic, every artist out there has been working on themselves and their craft.
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy hosts virtual celebrations on Rabindra Jayanti
Screengrab from the live programme. Tiasha Idrak Tiasha Idrak
Today marks the 160th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, the polymath who reshaped Bengali music and literature. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) organised an online programme to celebrate the day. As the country enforced restrictions on public movement to curb Covid-19 transmission, BSA opted to pay a tribute to the poet virtually, just as the year before.
The virtual event was hosted by singer Tapan Mahmud, and inaugurated by M Badrul Arefin, Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. It was presided by Liaquat Ali Lucky, Director General of BSA.
INTERNATIONAL DANCE DAY SPECIAL
In conversation with Sharmila Banerjee and Sudeshna Swayamprabha
Sudeshna Swamprabha (L) and Sharmila Banerjee on stage at Chhayanaut. This photo was taken before the pandemic hit. Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed
Rasheek Tabassum Mondira
Rasheek Tabassum Mondira
Each year, 29th April is celebrated as International Dance Day across the globe. International Theatre Institute (ITI) initiated International Dance Day in 1982. This year, the theme for the day is, Purpose of dance . In a candid chat with
The Daily Star, eminent dancer Sharmila Banerjee and her daughter Sudeshna Swayamprabha share their perspectives on dance, the pandemic, and the spirit of International Dance Day.
Aniruddha Biswas | | Published 23.04.21, 01:22 AM
The Green Window, being produced by Priti Agarwal Films, is based on the second story of the book The Angels on Earth authored by Indira Dhar Mukkherjee. The Hindi film has been directed by Indira Dhar Mukkherjee. Jaya Seal Ghosh not only makes her acting comeback but is also the co-producer of the movie, making this her production debut.
Indira Dhar Mukkherjee said: “The Green Window is a research work of 20 years. It is an adaptation of the original story, The Green Window. Life is full of surprises and the film will inspire many senior citizens to look at the brighter side of life.”