A landmark of Tangail’s cultural heritage, the nearly five-decade-old Bhashani Hall auditorium, has fallen into a state of decay due to prolonged neglect, lack of renovation and administrative indifference.
Once the city’s cultural hub, the historic venue now stands almost abandoned, with broken walls, layers of dust and locked rooms replacing the vibrant atmosphere that once hosted theatre, music, dance, poetry recitals, book fairs and social gatherings.
A visit to the site revealed a grim picture. The hall’s front veranda has been occupied by wholesale betel leaf traders, while the compound is being used as a truck stand. Homeless people have also taken shelter in parts of the premises.
Local residents said the area transforms after sunset, becoming a gathering place for drug users and anti-social activities, raising concerns over public safety.
Cultural activists and residents said Bhashani Hall is not merely a building but a symbol of Tangail’s cultural identity. They urged the authorities to urgently renovate or rebuild the historic venue to revive cultural activities and preserve the district’s heritage.
The hall, originally built as “Tangail Town Hall” on around 35 decimals of land in the heart of the town, had its foundation stone laid on 16 August 1976 by Professor Abul Fazal, then education adviser to the president. It was inaugurated on 2 April 1978 by then Dhaka divisional commissioner Khane Alam Khan.
Later, the auditorium was renamed Bhashani Hall in honour of renowned leader Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani. With around 1,000 seats, it was once considered one of the largest and most impressive cultural venues in the country.
Poet and cultural personality Mahmud Kamal said the hall had been a centre for theatre, music, recitation, book fairs and political gatherings for decades. He called for immediate reconstruction or renovation of the venue.
Abul Kalam Mostofa Labu, president of Cultural Reformation Forum Tangail, said the district is known as a cultural city but lacks a modern cultural centre. “Reviving Bhashani Hall is now essential,” he said.
Mahmudul Haque Sanu, grandson of Maulana Bhashani, said the renovation of the hall had become a demand of the time. He expressed hope that the government would take quick steps to modernise the auditorium.
Tangail Club General Secretary Kamruzzaman Khan said restoring the hall would help revive cultural activities and keep young people away from drugs and other social problems.
Tangail-5 MP and State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku said Bhashani Hall had once played a vital role in promoting education, literature and culture in the district.
He said the historic building lost its glory due to years of poor maintenance and that he had inspected the site on 12 June. “Steps will be taken to renovate the auditorium into a modern and functional cultural centre while preserving the memory of Maulana Bhashani,” he added.
