SHERPUR, BOGURA, Apr 3: The Upazila Shilpakala Academy in Sherpur of Bogura has remained closed for more than twelve years, leaving the once-vibrant hub of drama, music, recitation, and dance reduced to a mere storage room for the upazila office.
Despite earlier initiatives to revive activities, the academy has been crippled by administrative negligence, lack of accountability, and allegations of financial mismanagement.
Local cultural activists say the stagnation has virtually 'killed' the cultural scene in Sherpur, depriving hundreds of artistes, singers, dramatists, and reciters of a platform for practice.
Mozaffar Ali, President of the Lalon Research Centre at Bhoberhat, lamented: "Our children have fallen behind. For 12 years, there has been no cultural practice here. The academy exists only in name, but in reality, it is dead."
Attempts to form committees have repeatedly failed. During the previous Awami League government, disputes over committee positions stalled progress. Former UNO Ashik Khan announced a committee before his transfer, but no activities followed.
KM Kamrul Hasan Pasha, Director of Nritanjali Arts Academy, said: "The academy functioned for only a couple of years after its inception. Since then, nothing. Neighbouring Dhunat Upazila has ongoing activities, but we have been deprived."
Local activists allege that although Sherpur receives annual budgets from Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, funds are not transparently used. They claim a 'pocket committee' formed under former UNO Ashik Khan sidelined genuine cultural workers, leaving the academy inactive.
Ironically, the academy still possesses instruments-four harmoniums, three sets of duggi-tabla, a keyboard, and a guitar-but they remain unused. Rebecca Sultana, general secretary of the academy and Women Affairs Officer, said preparations are underway to restart activities.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Academy President Md. Saiduzzaman Himu, newly posted to Sherpur, acknowledged the issue. "I have not yet reviewed the academy's situation. But no one-sided committee will be formed. Activities will resume with the participation of all cultural figures. We hope to re-launch from Pahela Baishakh," he said.
