Md. Masud Khan, Munshiganj (South)

The Munshiganj District Shilpakala Academy, a hub for cultural activities, is now in a dilapidated state, causing frustration among cultural workers.

 The academy is plagued with numerous issues: a non-functional sound system, inadequate lighting, roof leakage during rain, most chairs being unusable, a shortage of backdrop screens, a broken generator and fans, lack of rooms, and an overall unclean environment. Artists have been facing these problems for years. Yet, they continue their cultural practices.

According to artists, they have long been suffering from these difficulties at the Shilpakala Academy. Most chairs in the gallery are unusable. The sound system has been out of order for about 7 years. Most of the chairs and fans for the audience are broken. The two toilets in the second-floor gallery have been abandoned for nearly 7–8 years. Plaster from the auditorium ceiling has peeled off. Even when renting the auditorium, no adequate facilities are provided. Everything — lighting, sound system, curtains, fans, chairs, generator, and other necessary items — must be rented from outside at high cost.

A collective initiative involving the administration, artists, trainers, and the cultural officer is necessary to resolve the issues at the Shilpakala Academy.

Cultural personality Abhijit Das Bobby mentioned that many artists from this district have earned recognition by participating in competitions in Dhaka. Artists from this district have participated in folk song contests, drama festivals, and even in theater festivals in India. However, the academy's poor state is hindering the nurturing of new talent.

Jahangir Alam Dhali, President of Munshiganj Sammilita Sangskritik Jote, said the Shilpakala Academy could play a vital role in the district's cultural development. But currently, it is in a very rundown condition — structurally as well as in terms of management. There is no sound system at all. Even for government or district commissioner programs, lights must be rented from outside. Theater groups also have to rent equipment.

During performances, if the power goes out, the generator is needed, but it has been broken for ten years. It could be fixed with a small amount of money, yet nothing has been done. The white backdrop screen behind the stage is torn and very old — it looks terrible and should be replaced quickly. It is unbearable to sit in the auditorium due to the heat. Out of about 50 fans, most are broken. There used to be 8 stand fans — now all of them are broken. Only a quarter of the original number of chairs remain usable. The aesthetic beauty of the hall, including the paneling on the walls, is completely damaged. Now, makeshift decorative curtains hide the broken walls.

He added that the building is just a shell of walls with no proper facilities inside. The stage is unfit for drama performances and was not scientifically constructed. Even light rain causes water to leak through holes in the tin roof and flood the stage. The area around the academy is often filled with garbage. This is not an environment suitable for creative work. A proper environment is essential for fostering creativity.

Furthermore, there has been no committee for the District Shilpakala Academy for a long time. A properly elected committee could have made the academy more supportive of cultural activities.