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Call to end the culture of blacklisting and political manipulation

Information Minister meets with leading cultural personalities

Karim Waheed
Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad met with the leading cultural personalities at the conference room, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) yesterday morning. The objective was to get introduced to artistes and cultural activists from all sections. Artistes, in turn, had an opportunity to place their demands and grievances for the minister s consideration.
Bhuiyan Shafiqul Islam, director general of BSA, chaired the conference. Md. Sharful Alam, secretary to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, also attended the meeting.
Nasiruddin Yousuff, president of Sammilito Sanskritik Jote, said, "This conference is way too big to address specific issues related to different areas of our cultural arena. We hope the Information Minister would meet with all major organisations, hear each of them out and consider their demands."
Yousuff briefly mentioned tsomc major points, iqplydjqg. ini^ajUpi) of a democratic, format for running national establishments like BSA, Shishu Academy and so on (at present only Bangla Academy follows a democratic structure) and generating more funds for cultural activities on national level.
Ramendu Majumder, president of m, suggested that BSA should be led by a leading cultural figure, and not some random individual selected by a government in office.
"Additional funds should be allocated for the maintenance of BSA," Majumder added. He also pointed out
that a vital aspect like cultural exchange has mostly been ignored over the last fewyears. "Renowned artistes from overseas are often barred from performing in Bangladesh. The current government should take this issue into account," Majumder said.
Noted artist Qayyum
Chowdhury said that the Asian Art Biennale held in Bangladesh has become an internationally recognised festival. However, BSA doesn't have adequate space to display all artworks by artists from over 30 countries.
"Government should seriously consider resuming
the extension of National Art Gallery at BSA," Chowdhury said. He also stressed the need for state-backed promotion of Bangladeshi artists overseas.
Dancers Laila Hassan and Shibli Mohammad vented their frustrations and resentment when speaking on the rampant practice of 'blacklist-
ing' artistes for their respective political persuasions. Shibli said, "I'd been blacklisted and couldn't perform on BTV for years. Certain former ministers and high-ups are being prosecuted for corruption; in the same way, legal actions should also be taken against officials at BTV, Bangladesh Betar (radio) and BSA who actively participated in the practice of blacklisting talented singers, dancers and actors."
Milon Kanti Dey of 'Jatra Shilpo Unnayan Parishad’ articulated how the once-thriving 'jatra' has been gradually turned into a dying art form. "I'd like to acknowledge the initiatives by Ministry of Cultural Affairs under the caretaker government to promote this neglected art form through a 'jatra' festival. However, the overall situation is far from acceptable. When we make written requests to hold 'jatra' performances, law enforcement officials flat out refuse us," said Milon.
Actress and activist Tarana Halim urged the government td^isddhrhgb and put an end to the trend of political manipulation in the cultural arena. Amidst rounds of applause, she said, "Politicisation of every state-run establishment has left our artistes divided — crippling cultural practices. Tendencies like sycophancy and overzealous gloating of political manipulation should be shunned. A performer or an artist should be appreciated for his/her creative excellence and not judged for respective political persuasions. Artistes should always be politically aware, but politics must never overrun our cultural convictions.”