Syed Jamil Ahmed appointed new Shilpakala DG

Eminent cultural personality Syed Jamil Ahmed, a distinguished theatre director and founding chair of Dhaka University’s Department of Theater and Music, has been appointed the new director general of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA).

The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification announcing his appointment on Monday (9 September).

He has been appointed for the next two years from the date of his joining, subject to severing work relationships with other institutions and organisations, reads the notice.

Sabina Yesmin, public relations officer of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, confirmed the news to UNB, stating that he will start his regular activities as the new director general from the next working day.

Syed Jamil Ahmed was born in Dhaka on 7 April 1955. He took part in the 1971 Liberation War at the age of sixteen, and graduated from the National School of Drama, India in 1978, obtaining first-class-first position. 

In 1989, he obtained a master’s degree in theatre arts from the University of Warwick, England, and a PhD in 1997 from Dhaka University.

Dr Syed Jamil Ahmed is the founder of the Department of Theater and Performance Studies of Dhaka University. He has been teaching in this department for more than 30 years.

Liaquat Ali Lucky, the former director general of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) who governed the organisation for over a decade as its longest-reigning DG, resigned from his post on 12 August after the fall of the Hasina administration due to the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. 

With Dr Jamil joining the country’s top arts and culture organization, Bangladesh’s cultural scene is set to undergo a major transformation as he brings a wealth of expertise and a new viewpoint.