Udichi stages Dhaka march after arson destroys decades of cultural archives
Artists, cultural workers, journalists and supporters joined the march, carrying placards and chanting slogans that linked the attack to a wider threat to freedom of expression and the ideals of the Liberation War
Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi took to the streets of the capital on Saturday (20 December) morning, staging a protest march and rally to condemn an arson attack on its central office that the organisation says has wiped out 55 years of cultural archives and struck at the heart of the country's progressive movement.
The procession began at 11am from Paltan intersection and moved towards Satyen Sen Chattar, in front of Udichi's headquarters opposite the National Press Club.
Artists, cultural workers, journalists and supporters joined the march, carrying placards and chanting slogans that linked the attack to a wider threat to freedom of expression and the ideals of the Liberation War.
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Chants such as "Udichi Te Hamla Keno, Jobab Chai" and "Muktijuddher Chetona Hariye Jete Dibo Na" echoed through the streets, framing the incident as part of a sustained assault on cultural resistance rather than an isolated crime.
Addressing the rally, Udichi General Secretary Amit Ranjan Dey described the destruction of the organisation's archives as a cultural catastrophe. He said decades of documentation—including songs, scripts, photographs and records of resistance—had been erased overnight.
Udichi leaders also pointed to a broader climate of intimidation, citing recent attacks on journalists and cultural figures. In a statement reiterated at the rally, the organisation warned that continued inaction would embolden extremist forces.
Founded in 1968 by Satyen Sen and Ranesh Dash Gupta, Udichi has long used music and theatre to challenge communalism and authoritarianism, a history that has previously made it a target, including bomb attacks in Jashore in 1999 and Netrokona in 2005.
Separately, the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy announced the suspension of all its programmes and exhibitions until further notice, citing security concerns following attacks on cultural organisations including Chhayanaut and Udichi. The decision, signed by Deputy Director (Administration) Purnolakha Chakma, provided no timeline for resumption.
