‘Reviving culture our master plan’

Rezauddin Stalin, director general of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy spoke to The New Nation about the Academy’s administrative situation, cultural progs, preservation of indigenous traditions, support for young artists, revival of Jatra and other traditional forms,
government’s broader cultural master plan

The New Nation: There was considerable chaos and mismanagement at the Shilpakala Academy during the tenure of the previous government. To what extent have you been able to resolve these issues?
Rezauddin Stalin:

Since I took charge, the Shilpakala Academy has reached a state of stability and peace. There are certain demands among the officers and staff, as well as resentment and discord resulting from a lack of promotions over a long period. I have addressed these matters through the official channels.

I served at the Nazrul Institute for 35 years, so I have a thorough understanding of government service rules and regulations. A sense of grievance and restlessness prevails among many employees because they have been deprived of promotions for so long.

I have assigned some of those whom I could not promote for various reasons to vacant posts with current-charge responsibilities. I have tried to utilize them according to their merit and competence.
I have also posted capable officers in the districts.

I transferred some individuals who, instead of genuinely performing their duties, were creating disorder or were involved in corruption. I could not address every single case, but the measures I have taken have restored administrative discipline to a significant extent.

The New Nation: What programmes have you undertaken to foster cultural excellence in the new Bangladesh?

Rezauddin Stalin: The Shilpakala Academy is working tirelessly to realize the vision of the government for the cultural development of the new Bangladesh. I have initiated comprehensive programmes to enhance the country’s cultural excellence.

We are giving priority to our own indigenous culture. For instance, we have organized programmes that blend modern music with our folk and traditional songs.

We are organizing dance and music festivals, as well as festivals of film, theatre and Jatra. Through these initiatives, we are connecting artists and writers with different forms of art and culture.

We have organized various visual-art programmes and are currently preparing for the Asian Biennale. We have organized exhibitions for young artists and held a ‘July Art Camp’, where the artworks produced by the participants are currently being displayed.

We have also celebrated Eid, Durga Puja and Christmas.
We have honoured legendary artists such as Sabina Yasmin, Runa Laila and Syed Abdul Hadi. We organized a nationwide two-day festival marking the birth anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.

We celebrated February 21, Victory Day and Independence Day. We also organized festivals featuring ethnic minority communities and participated significantly in Pahela Baishakh, which has universal appeal.

We arranged performances of Nazrul’s Leto songs and presented programmes that combined his poetry with music in new and innovative ways.

I believe Nazrul is not merely a ‘rebel’ figure. He embodies love and the pangs of separation. He is a universal poetic spirit and an architect of equality, harmony and freedom.

For the ‘Nazrul Year’ celebrations, I am highlighting his song Durgam Giri Kantar Maru as the theme song. I have also arranged an orchestral composition based on Oi Natuner Keton Ore.

A separate room has been allocated for rehearsals by instrumentalists and theatre artists. I have also offered concessions to people with disabilities for using the halls.

However, because of the recent increase in electricity prices, it is not always possible to provide the facilities free of charge.

The New Nation: What are your thoughts on the endangered Jatra industry, circuses, puppet shows and the art of mime?

Rezauddin Stalin: Jatra and circuses were immensely popular in the rural areas of Bangladesh. Unfortunately, they were on the verge of shutting down. We are making efforts to keep these traditional forms alive.

We brought an acrobatic puppet troupe from Rajbari to stage a central performance. We are also facilitating the practice of mime.

A while ago, one of our troupes visited Bhutan and performed mime there. They received considerable appreciation from the audience.

We are also trying to continue these activities at the district level so that traditional forms of entertainment do not disappear.

The New Nation: Does the government have any major master plan for cultural development at the national level?

Rezauddin Stalin: Yes. The government has its own master plan for the development of indigenous culture. The core of this master plan is to revitalize our own traditional culture, and the government is actively working towards that goal.

We also want to develop a creative economy in the country. Instead of relying solely on free access to cultural programmes, we want to move towards a system in which people purchase tickets to watch circus performances, Jatra, plays and musical concerts.

This will generate revenue and contribute to the national exchequer. At the same time, people will have the opportunity to enjoy entertainment that is delightful as well as culturally enriching.

We are striving to create a harmonious blend of cultures. This includes the cultures of ethnic minority communities and those of the plains, as well as the traditions of Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians.

Communities such as the Santal, Chakma, Marma, Manipuri and Garo should all be part of this broader cultural harmony.

The New Nation: Could you state your position regarding the Shilpakala Academy’s relationship with Bangladesh Television and the BFDC?

Rezauddin Stalin: We will renew our agreement with the BFDC and sign an MoU with Bangladesh Television to strengthen its relationship with the Shilpakala Academy.

This cooperation will enable us to take our programmes beyond the Academy premises and bring them directly to the people on a much larger scale.

The New Nation: What is the current status of the Shilpakala committees across the 64 districts?
Rezauddin Stalin: An injunction has currently been issued concerning the Shilpakala committees across the 64 districts. A particular group is responsible for this situation.

That is why I have proposed forming convener committees. This will happen very soon.
The regulations governing our governing body have also been amended, and we are reconstituting the body in light of those changes.

The New Nation: You are the Director General of the Shilpakala Academy as well as a poet. In prioritizing one role, are you not compromising the other?

Rezauddin Stalin: Certainly not. A poet naturally possesses a sense of patriotism. If I love my country, it is my moral obligation to enrich its culture and help propel it forward. I am accountable to my own conscience.

I believe our poets, writers and intellectuals all have the right to access the Shilpakala Academy.
You will be pleased to know that our ‘little magazine’ initiative was on the verge of shutting down due to a lack of patronage. Yet it is a vital platform for nurturing the talents of young people as we build a new Bangladesh.

The initiative had ceased operations, but we have revived it.

The New Nation: How do you view the corruption and administrative mismanagement of your predecessor? Are there any rumours of corruption against you?

Rezauddin Stalin: The government will certainly look into those matters. The Anti-Corruption Commission will examine them.

My focus, however, is on the work I have undertaken since assuming this responsibility.
Why would there be rumours about me? I am not the sort of person associated with such rumours.

I spent 35 years at the Nazrul Institute, and as a poet, I want to work collaboratively with everyone.
If you work in Bangladesh, there will always be a faction that opposes you. If you do good work, some people will ask, “Why is he doing so well?”

The New Nation: How effective is your ‘open-door policy’ for newcomers?
Rezauddin Stalin: We always prioritize newcomers. We give precedence to young people.
I am specifically compiling a list of new artists from different artistic disciplines so that we can identify them and provide them with opportunities.

The New Nation: To what extent is there organizational mismanagement in your office?
Rezauddin Stalin: There is not really any significant organizational mismanagement in my office. However, factionalism exists everywhere.

To address factionalism, one needs to understand what different groups want and give importance to their legitimate demands.

I want everyone to live and work in harmony. This is our own office and our own space. One cannot progress very far by engaging in factionalism.

Many Directors General could not last here because of factionalism. I strive to keep the institution free from such divisions, and I believe I have been largely successful in doing so.

The New Nation: Is a budget allocated for Shilpakala in every district? Do any irregularities occur there?
Rezauddin Stalin: The government allocates Tk 6 lakh annually to each district for Shilpakala activities.
The Ministry of Culture provides some funds, and we also allocate funds according to our capacity. If districts propose organizing new events, we provide them with additional allocations where possible.
The New Nation: Thank you for the interview.

Rezauddin Stalin: Thank you, too. The New Nation is a newspaper very close to my heart. Many of my writings have been published in The New Nation.

It is a good and impartial newspaper. I appreciate The New Nation because it is popular among readers for upholding freedom of expression.