TDS Desk:

An international workshop “Political Transformation and Changes in Cultural Heritage and Negotiating Identities: Planning, Designs and the Evolving Cultures” based in Dhaka, was held on Saturday at the conference hall of Sonargaon University.

The hybrid-format event was also broadcast live via the Zoom platform.

The day-long workshop saw participation from writers, cultural experts, policymakers, researchers, speakers, and university students from Bangladesh and across the globe.

The workshop was jointly organized by Knowledgists Without Borders, Sonargaon University’s ICDES, and University College London. It provided a vital platform for constructive discussions on Dhaka’s dynamic history, culture, and identity.

The program began with a welcome speech by the Vice-Chancellor of Sonargaon University, Professor Shamim Ara Hassan.

The keynote address was delivered by BRAC Chairperson and renowned economist Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, Dr Mahfuzul Haque, Honorary Director of ICDES and a member of the Labor Reform Commission of the interim government, introduced the ICDES platform. Dr Tasleem Shakur, Editor-in-Chief of South Asian Cultural Studies, outlined the workshop’s theme and objectives.

The cultural segment included a dance performance by the renowned artist Mahmudul Hasan Ripon and the rendition of the song Bhule Jai Ami (Forgotten Me), related to the July Movement, by popular singer Parsha Mehjabeen. Additionally, Dr Tasleem Shakur and Professor Imamur Hossain recited the poem “Blue Rebel” about the July Movement, composed by British artist Natalia.

The workshop was divided into four key thematic sessions, each chaired by distinguished academicians and featuring national and international speakers.

“History, Memory, and Spatial Evolution” session Chaired by Assistant Professor Imamur Hossain of Sonargaon University, the session featured speakers Assistant Professor Dr Anindita Ghoshal from Diamond Harbour Women’s University, India; Dr Tasleem Shakur; and Assistant Professor Dr Labib Hossain from Miami University, US.

“Social Transformations versus Political Ruptures” session Chaired by Professor Dr Sadequl Islam, chair of economics at Laurentian University, Canada, this session included discussions by Lt Gen (Retd) Aminul Karim, Professor Dr Mehnaz Momen of Texas A&M International University, Professor Dr Dina M Siddiqi of New York University, and Professor Dr Tazeen M. Murshed of Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium.

“Eruptions of Fringe Movements in Marginal Subcultures” session Chaired by Dr Mahfuzul Haque, this session hosted speakers Shirin Haq, founder and chairperson of Naripokkho; Professor Imamur Hossain; Senior Lecturer Parisa Shakur from North South University, Dr Rashed Bhuiyan from Brac University, Associate Professor Dr Matluba Khan from Cardiff University and Dr Tom Smith.

“Simulated or Mediated Popular Culture” session was Chaired by Dr Tasleem Shakur.

Speakers included Professor Dr Zakir Hossain Raju from Independent University Bangladesh, Assistant Professor Dr Syeda Jafrina Nancy from the Military Institute of Science and Technology, Lecturer Zahidul Islam from Southeastern University, Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr Mohammed Mahbubur Rahman from Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology and Sanjida Ahmed Sinthia from AUST.

At the end of the four thematic sessions, the rapporteurs Khondaker M Ansar Hossain, Methila Farjana and Omar Faruk presented the overall insights and comments during the workshop.

The plenary session summarized key discussions from all the sessions, chaired by Dr Tasleem Shakur, alongside Professor Imamur Hossain, Dr Mahfuzul Haque, and Professor Shamim Ara Hassan.

The organizers expressed optimism that the workshop would play a pivotal role in bridging cultural preservation and modernity while showcasing Dhaka’s evolving identity. With the active participation of researchers, policymakers, and cultural practitioners, the event aims to pave the way for initiatives ensuring heritage conservation and inclusive development in Dhaka.