Dr Sarwar Ali appointed new president of Chhayanaut

Renowned cultural activist and physician Dr Sarwar Ali has been appointed the new president of Chhayanaut, one of Bangladesh's most influential cultural organisations, three months after the death of its former president and cultural icon, Sanjida Khatun.

The decision was made during Chhayanaut's Annual General Meeting held on Friday (June 27), where the organization's executive council was reconstituted. Dr Ali, who had been serving as executive president, will now formally lead the organisation.

Khairul Anam Shakil and Partha Tanveer Naved have been named vice-presidents, while Laisa Ahmad Lisa retains her position as general secretary. Jayanta Roy and Tania Mannan will serve as joint secretaries, and Nasehun Amin has been appointed treasurer.

The new executive council includes Mofidul Haque, Shyamoli Nasrin Chowdhury, Nahas Khalil, Aminul Kawsar Dipu, Sahana Akhter Rahman Papri, Masuda Nargis Anam Kalpana, Zubair Yusuf, Gautam Sarkar, Jasmine Buli, and Semanti Manjari. Additionally, Saeeda Kamal and Ruchira Tabassum Naved have been elected to the Chhayanaut Board of Trustees, filling vacancies left by the recent deaths of Nurunnahar Abedin and Sanjida Khatun.

At the meeting, speakers underscored Chhayanaut's ongoing commitment to preserving Bengali cultural identity, promoting a tolerant society, and upholding the standards of contemporary Bengali music. The gathering also voiced strong condemnation of the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza and expressed concern over escalating tensions between Iran and Israel.

Sanjida Khatun, who took over Chhayanaut's presidency in 1999 following the death of Sufia Kamal, led the institution for over two decades until her passing on March 25, 2024. In accordance with her wishes, her body was donated to Bangladesh Medical University.