Arthi Ahmed Dance Academy held its ‘Ghanaghata 2′ dance festival at the Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University on Friday, 17 July.

While the event took place at the university’s Bakultala, the academy managed the organisation to celebrate the cultural beauty of the monsoon and raise essential funds for victims of the recent floods in Chattogram.

The event moved beyond the common urban associations of waterlogging and traffic congestion, focusing instead on the cultural spirit of the season.

Arthi Ahmed, the Ekushey Padak-winning dancer and choreographer who led the event, explained that the decision to incorporate a relief effort emerged during the preparations.

“Preparations for the event started about four months ago. However, after the recent floods, the organisers felt that such a disaster cannot be ignored,” Arthi said.

“As artists, we have a responsibility to society. Therefore, along with celebrating the monsoon, we are also trying to stand by the flood-affected people,” Ahmed added, stating that “being indifferent cannot be an option.”

During the 90-minute programme, the academy facilitated personal donations from its members. Additionally, visitors contributed to the relief fund through two booths managed by the Jaago Foundation at the venue.

The festival featured 16 dance performances inspired by the works of Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam, and regional folk traditions. The diverse group of more than 300 participants ranged from children to seasoned dancers, including professionals such as doctors, engineers, teachers, journalists and researchers.

Participant Manira Hossen Mithu noted that the academy handled the entire coordination of the festival, with Saiful Islam Saki supervising the folk segments and the Jaago Foundation facilitating the charity booths.