The Arthi Ahmed Dance Academy hosted the "Ghanaghata 2" monsoon dance festival at Dhaka University’s Faculty of Fine Arts on Friday, July 17. Held at the university's Bakultala, the event celebrated the cultural beauty of the monsoon season while raising vital funds for recent flood victims in Chattogram.
Led by Ekushey Padak-winning dancer and choreographer Arthi Ahmed, the 90-minute program featured 16 performances inspired by Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam, and regional folk traditions. Over 300 participants—ranging from children to professionals like doctors, engineers, and teachers—took part in the cultural showcase.
Ahmed noted that the decision to integrate a relief effort arose during the event's four-month preparation period, prompted by the devastating recent floods. "As artists, we have a responsibility to society," Ahmed stated, emphasizing that "being indifferent cannot be an option".
During the festival, the academy collected personal donations directly from its members. Additionally, the Jaago Foundation managed two booths at the venue to accept public contributions for the relief fund. By blending cultural celebration with humanitarian aid, the festival successfully shifted the usual urban narrative of the monsoon—often associated with waterlogging—toward community solidarity and artistic expression.
