Chhayanaut will host Shuddha Sangeet Utshab 1432, the first rendition of its regular classical music festival. This time, it is dedicated to legendary maestro Ustad Alauddin Khan.
Notably, the festival marks the first major cultural event at Chhayanaut since the violent attack on its Dhanmondi building. The attack followed the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent MP candidate from Dhaka-8 and spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho. Therefore, the event carries special meaning for the country’s classical music community.
On December 18, 2025, protests erupted across Dhaka after Hadi died in Singapore. Soon after, unrest spread to several parts of the capital. During this time, attackers vandalised the Chhayanaut campus. They destroyed property and musical instruments. They also set fire to parts of the building.
However, the incident sparked widespread condemnation. Artists, cultural activists, and civil society members strongly protested the attack. Moreover, many called for better protection of cultural institutions. In response, Chhayanaut resumed its regular activities in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, the programme for the Chhayanaut Shuddha Sangeet Utshab 1432 was announced on Tuesday. The festival will take place at the Chhayanaut Auditorium in three sessions. The first session will be held on Friday, January 9, 2026, from 3:30 PM to 9:30 PM. The second session will follow on Saturday, January 10, from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM. The third session will continue on the same day from 2:00 PM to 9:30 PM.
In addition, visitors must register separately for each session through the Chhayanaut Visitor Pass. For those unable to attend, Chhayanaut will live-stream all sessions on its Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Lisa Ahmad Lisa, General Secretary of Chhayanaut, thanked the ardent admirers of Chhayanaut, saying that the festival reflects the resilience of Bangladesh’s classical music tradition.
