Ensure free and democratic cultural environment

During the reign of previous governments, the cultural arena was dominated by sycophancy and authoritarian artistic practices. Party members and so-called artists held sway. State-run radio, television, and cultural institutions were all under their control. Even non-artists found places as artists there. Now, the time has come to free the cultural sector from sycophancy and end all forms of authoritarian artistic practices.

According to a news report published last Friday (August 16), cultural activists gathered in the premises of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy to demand the establishment of a free and democratic cultural environment. Since the government's fall on August 5, the gates of the country's primary cultural center have remained locked. For many years, the institution has only implemented government agendas. Whichever government came to power, it worked in its favor. Cultural activists have demanded the immediate reopening of the Shilpakala Academy to foster a vibrant environment for the staging of dramas, art exhibitions, music programs, and dance performances.

In the discussion, Kamal Bayezid, former general secretary of Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation and stage artist of Dhaka Theatre, said that everyone must unite to promote free and independent cultural practices in the country. To that end, art should be spread from primary schools to colleges and universities. The rights of the common people must be raised through all forms of art. All cultural workers must come together to contribute to the growth of culture.

Actor, director, and art director of the drama troupe Prachyanat, Azad Abul Kalam, stated that above all political affiliations, the primary identity of a cultural worker should be that of a servant of art. Government institutions like Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, and organizations such as Sammilita Sangskritik Jote need reform. If that cannot be done, they should be declared defunct. A free environment for artistic practice must be established instead of party-based sycophancy. Culture is the soul of a nation. If there is a disruption in healthy cultural practices, the democratic environment naturally deteriorates.

We have seen many cultural workers attacked in recent years. Baul musicians' homes have been vandalized and burned down. Alongside sycophancy with the ruling government, communal attacks have repeatedly targeted the country’s cultural workers. As a result, we have seen many traditional cultural practices disappear. Everywhere, we now witness the dominance of subculture. This is also the case in television dramas and films in Bangladesh today. Good music, art, and literature have almost vanished. The reason is that no refined art or literature can be created without a conducive democratic environment.

In the past few years, we have gone through a suffocating situation. It cannot be said that there has been much change even now. However, the call for change has been made. We, too, want to respond to this call by saying that the entire corrupt cultural environment should be overhauled. On one hand, the current government must ensure this, and on the other, the public must remain vigilant. Our collective efforts can create a healthy environment for cultural practices in the country.

Let the song of renewal begin everywhere, the clamor of new creations arise. In unison with poet Kazi Nazrul Islam’s song, we want to sing together: “Today in the joy of creation, my face smiles, my eyes smile, my throbbing blood smiles; today in the joy of creation."