To mark the 37th Independence Day, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) organised a discussion and cultural programme. Chief guest was Professor Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque. Among the discussants were prominent freedom fighters Kazi Kamaluddin Ahmed (Bir Bikrom) and Ali Ahmed Ziauddin. The discussion was presided over by Ashraful Mosaddek, secretary of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

The cultural programme featured solo and group songs, recitations and dance performances. The opening song was a chorus, Swadhin swadhin dikey dikey, followed by a gano sangeet, Purbo digontey shurjo uthechhey. Artistes of BSA and Nrityadhara performed dance. Tapan Mahmud, Kalyani Ghosh, Sujit Mustafa, Asgar Alim and others rendered songs.

Like every year, Sammilito Sangskritik Jote (SSJ), organised a three day-long programme to mark Independence Day at Central Shaheed Minar. The event started on March 24. Air Vice Marshal (Retd) A K Khondokar (Deputy Chief of Staff of Bangladesh Joint Armed Forces in 1971) inaugurated the programmes.

Nasiruddin Yousuff, president of SSJ, presided over the inaugural programme. Cultural personalities Asaduzzaman Nur, Mofidul Haq and others spoke on the occasion. The welcome speech was delivered by Golam Kuddus, general secretary, SSJ. Recitation by poet Nirmalendu Goon was a part of the event.

Programmes were also held at Rabindra Sarobar, Dhanmondi. On March 26, performances included chorus songs by artistes of Wrishiz, Nibedon and Rabindra Sangeet Sammilan Parishad. Noted singer Fakir Alamgir and others also rendered songs. Fakir Alamgir performed three songs -- Sokhinarey deshey rekhey Muktijuddey jai, Ma-er ek dhar dudher daam and Manusher majhey boshobash kori. Two street plays were staged by Theatre Arambagh and Theatre centre.

As part of the weeklong Independence Day celebration at Liberation War Museum, an art camp was held. Noted and upcoming artists of the country participated at the event.