Photo: Munshiganj’s Cultural Hub, Gana Sadan Hall, captured in dilapidated and abandoned state on Wednesday afternoon.
The once vibrant Gana Sadan Hall, renowned as the center of cultural practice in the district, has now become a desolate dump, leaving artists and cultural enthusiasts bereft of regular cultural engagements. The neglect has caused a significant decline in interest among the younger generation, dampening their enthusiasm for the arts.
Just a century and a half ago, the Gana Sadan Hall exuded festivity and grandeur, hosting famous dramas that took the stage at least four to five days a week. Esteemed theater artists from both local and international domains would flock to this iconic venue to showcase their talent. Hundreds of spectators from across the district would eagerly gather to witness these captivating performances.
Situated in the heart of Munshiganj city, within the Malpara area on the western side of Sadar Thana, the ancient Gana Sadan Hall was originally built during the Pakistan period and served as an administrative office prior to independence. In 1979, it was inaugurated as the 'Ganasdan' theater stage by the then Deputy Prime Minister, Professor AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury.
Cultural activists and locals highlight that the traditional Gana Sadan Hall was the epicenter of Munshiganj's cultural and theatrical movements. Following the Liberation War, several generations embraced progressive and enlightened ideologies, which flourished within the halls of Gana Sadan.
A recent visit to the hall revealed collapsed portions of its walls, with twisted creeper leaves clinging to them. Wet moss has proliferated in several areas, and small trees intertwined with vine leaves now adorn the upper parts of the walls. The entrance exposes the hall's dilapidated state, with the stage and surrounding infrastructure in ruins.
Disturbingly, the abandoned hall has become an arena for drug addicts in the evening, despite the Munshiganj Sadar Police Station being a mere two yards away. According to sources within the district administration, the last renovation of Gana Sadan Hall took place in 1998. In 2007, a mysterious fire broke out during the night, devastating everything within the hall. Since then, all cultural practices, including theater performances, have come to a halt. Cultural activists are now demanding immediate and comprehensive restoration efforts to bring the hall back to life.
Advocate Sujan Haider Jonhy, President of the Munshiganj District Combined Cultural Association, emphasizes that Gana Sadan Hall is the birthplace of Munshiganj's cultural arena, and its neglect and lack of renovation have reduced it to a dilapidated ruin. He further said, revitalizing the hall would lead to a resurgence of cultural activities, and the cultural activists fervently call for its renovation.
Zakir Hossain, the general secretary of District Collective Cultural Alliance, advocates for the construction of a modern auditorium and cultural complex by renovating Gana Sadan Hall. He said that despite numerous protests and struggles, no concrete actions have been taken thus far. Hossain asserts that cultural workers belong on the stage, not on the streets, but if necessary, the collective cultural alliance is prepared to take to the streets again to secure the livelihoods of those involved in the arts.
Munshiganj District Commissioner Kazi Nahid Rasool has assured the public that the administration will take the necessary steps to renovate or rebuild the cultural hall, and the matter is under close monitoring.
He added, “the renovation of the hall would not only restore its cultural significance but also generate substantial revenue for the government in the coming years, further reinforcing the serious consideration being given to this matter.”
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