Chhayanaut is set to expand its music education programme beyond Dhaka and reach Bangali communities around the world through online classes.
The organisation will launch its first online introductory music course, titled Sangeet-Parichay, on Sunday, 16 August. The initiative is aimed at music enthusiasts living outside Dhaka as well as Bangalis living abroad.
The first class will be held from 7:30pm to 9pm and will offer lessons in folk songs, Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Sangeet and basic sargam.
Classes will be conducted in two groups based on age: children and teenagers, and a general group.
A total of 121 students have enrolled in the programme. Of them, 93 are from Bangladesh, while 12 are from North America, seven from Europe and nine from Australia, Malaysia and India.
Chhayanaut will hold a press conference at 5pm on 16 August at the Ramesh Chandra Dutt Memorial Auditorium at its Dhanmondi cultural centre to provide details about the initiative.
Chhayanaut president Sarwar Ali and general secretary Laisa Ahmed Lisa will speak at the event.
Selina Malek Chowdhury, the newly appointed principal of Chhayanaut Sangeet Vidyayatan, along with four instructors—musicians Sharmin Sathi Islam, Biman Chandra Biswas, Mostafizur Rahman Turjo and Tinku Kumar Shil—will also attend.
Students from Bangladesh and abroad will share their experiences online.
The initiative will be followed by an advanced programme titled Nibir Shikshan, which will begin on 20 September.
Advanced learners will receive specialised training in folk music from Kiran Chandra Roy, Nazrul Sangeet from Khairul Anam Shakil and Rabindra Sangeet from Laisa Ahmed Lisa.
Classes under the advanced programme will take place every Sunday from 6:30pm to 7:15pm.
Student selection interviews are currently underway.
This is not Chhayanaut’s first attempt at distance learning. In 2020, under the supervision of the late Sanjida Khatun, the organisation launched recorded lessons on YouTube under the title Gaaner Nibir Path.
The programme featured lessons on Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Sangeet and folk music, with Sanjida Khatun, Khairul Anam Shakil and Chandana Majumdar serving as instructors.
The organisation’s social media presence expanded significantly from 1 December 2024, when it began broadcasting cultural programmes online, including a rendition of the national anthem performed by thousands of people in an open space.
For decades, Chhayanaut has promoted Bangali music and culture through training programmes and cultural events.
While most of its regular activities have traditionally remained centred in Dhaka, the organisation now hopes its online initiative will help bring its cultural education to people beyond the capital and across the world.
