Charyapada Revival Festival kicks off

To celebrate a decade of reviving Charyapada songs, Bhavanagar Foundation is hosting a three-day "Charyapada Revival Festival 2025" from July 9 to 11 at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy’s seminar hall and studio theater. This marks the festival’s second edition, featuring devotees, researchers, and musicians from Bangladesh and abroad.

The opening ceremony will be graced by Fakir Deborah Jannat, a Lalon devotee from France, as the chief guest. Special guests include Dr. Keith E. Kantu, a researcher and professor from Harvard University, USA; Sadhika Srijoni Tania, a Charyapada vocal trainer from Bangladesh; and artist Babul Akter Bacchu from the historic Paharpur Buddhist Monastery. Learning book designer Mikhail Idris will deliver the welcome address.

The festivities begin at Suhrawardy Udyan with a Charyapada singing session featuring devotional artists from across the country. A procession will then proceed to the Engineers’ Institute with participation from local and international guests. The inaugural event at Shilpakala Academy’s seminar hall will start at 5:45 PM, followed by a Charyapada performance in the studio theater at 7 PM.

On July 10, a special music seminar titled "The Legacy of Charya Practice: Atish-Chaitanya-Lalon" will be held from 3:30 PM to 8 PM at the seminar hall. The final day, July 11, features a Charyapada song training workshop from 3 PM to 5 PM, followed by a closing session at 6 PM. Certificates and artist crests will be awarded at 8 PM. Closing remarks will be delivered by poet Farhad Mazhar, Ekushey Padak awardee Dr. Sukomal Barua, and Dr. Jinbodhi Bhikkhu.