The High Commission of India in Dhaka celebrated the 77th Foundation Day of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) today at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC), Gulshan, with a day-long programme featuring an art camp and cultural evening highlighting India–Bangladesh cultural ties.
High Commissioner Pranay Verma inaugurated the event, underscoring ICCR’s longstanding role in advancing cultural diplomacy since its establishment in 1950. He described ICCR as a key instrument of India’s cultural outreach, fostering artistic and intellectual exchange across borders.
“ICCR is the cultural heartbeat of Indian diplomacy. It has been the bridge connecting Indian music, dance, literature and philosophy to the world. More importantly, it has been a two-way street—welcoming the world into India and enabling a dialogue that transcends borders and languages,” he said.
A key attraction of the celebration was the art camp titled “Sampriti”, curated by Sanjoy Chakraborty. The camp brought together 29 ICCR scholars alongside leading Bangladeshi artists, who created live artworks symbolising harmony and friendship between the two countries.
Participating artists included Farida Zaman, Naima Haque, Md Eunus, Zamal Ahmed and Ranjit Das, among others.
A one-minute silence was observed in memory of senior Bangladeshi artist and ICCR scholar Tarun Ghosh, who passed away recently.
The evening programme featured a cultural gala showcasing vocal and performing arts. ICCR alumnus Priyanka Gope delivered a musical performance blending classical discipline with emotional expression, drawing appreciation from the audience.
The event also featured presentations in yoga, Hindustani classical music, Bharatnatyam and Kathak by IGCC students.
Noted Bangladeshi lawyer and human rights activist Farzana Mahmud was conferred the ‘ICCR Bharat Mitra Samman’ in recognition of her contributions.
The celebration concluded with a reaffirmation of commitment to strengthening people-to-people ties between India and Bangladesh through cultural exchange and artistic collaboration.
