Modern Bhawaiya Council Building to Rise in Kurigram After Years in a Tin-Shed Structure
Published : 01:50, 31 October 2026
The Bangladesh Bhawaiya Parishad in Ulipur, Kurigram, is moving towards a new milestone in preserving the long history and rich heritage of Bhawaiya music. After operating for years from a modest tin-roofed structure, the organisation is set to have a modern multi-storey building, with construction estimated to cost around Tk 10 million.
Established in 1993 in the Panchpir area of Durgapur Union under Ulipur upazila, the Bangladesh Bhawaiya Parishad has continued its musical practice and training despite various challenges. The organisation says nearly 3,000 Bhawaiya performers who have gained recognition at home and abroad have emerged from its humble premises.
An initiative has now been taken to construct a permanent and modern building to overcome the institution’s long-standing infrastructural limitations. The project is being implemented with support from the local administration, prominent individuals and organisations. Bashundhara Group, one of the country’s leading industrial conglomerates, has reportedly made a significant donation to the initiative.
The foundation stone of the multi-storey building was formally laid on Friday afternoon with contributions from donors and local residents.
A discussion meeting was organised on the occasion at Panchpir, beside the Kurigram–Chilmari road in Durgapur Union, Ulipur. The building is being constructed on five decimals of land donated by local philanthropist Gelap Hossain.
The event was presided over by Advocate Pradip Kumar Roy, president of the Bhawaiya Parishad. A welcome address was delivered by Bhupati Bhushan Barma, general secretary of the council and director of the Bhawaiya Academy.
The programme was moderated by Bashir Ahmed. Among those who spoke were Ulipur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shawkat Ali; Rajendranath Roy, founding president of the Bhawaiya Parishad; freedom fighter and Solidarity Executive Director Harun-or-Rashid Lal; writer and lyricist Touhidur Rahman; Mahbubur Rahman Momin, president of the Kasim Uddin Parishad; and Enamur Rahman, son of the land donor, along with others.
Representing Bashundhara Group, Khondoker Ekramul Haque Samrat, Kurigram correspondent of Bangladesh Pratidin, and Humayun Kabir Surya, Kurigram correspondent of News 24, were present at the event.
Speakers expressed hope that the modern multi-storey building would strengthen Bhawaiya music practice in Kurigram and provide young performers with a better environment to learn and develop their skills. They also said the facility would contribute to preserving the region’s rich musical heritage for future generations.
