Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy is set to rename seven of its auditoriums, with the finalized names recently announced by the academy’s Director-General, Syed Jamil Ahmed. During an event held at the National Theatre Hall on Friday evening, December 20, he revealed the new names for three auditoriums in the National Theatre Hall complex.

The Experimental Theatre Hall has been renamed Selim Al Deen Nattyalay, the Studio Theatre Hall will now be known as Chandrabati Nattyalay, and the main auditorium of the National Theatre Hall will be called Alaol Nattyalay.

In addition to these, names have been finalized for four more auditoriums located in the Fine Arts Building and the Music, Recitation, and Dance Building. According to an academy official, these include tributes to some of Bangladesh’s most iconic cultural figures. One auditorium in the Music, Recitation, and Dance Building has been named after legendary musician Ustad Alauddin Khan, while another under construction will bear the name of spiritual bard Shah Abdul Karim.

The Fine Arts Building’s existing auditorium has been renamed after renowned artist S.M. Sultan, and an under-construction auditorium will honor sculptor Novera Ahmed.

These decisions were approved during the Shilpakala Academy’s governing council meeting on December 18. The Director-General assured that all necessary processes for the name changes would be completed within a week, and the academy would announce the official naming ceremony dates soon.

This initiative underscores the academy’s commitment to preserving and promoting the legacy of Bangladesh’s cultural and artistic heritage, connecting contemporary art spaces with the names of iconic personalities who have shaped the nation’s creative landscape.