BUDDHA OF BENGAL: Our Sacred Community to open at AFD Tuesday

Nivrita a piece of art of the Buddha of Bengal exhibition which will open on 28 April 2026 at AFD

4th Annual Nationwide Exhibition of Bengali Buddhist Art To Open at Alliance Française de Dhaka

The fourth edition of BUDDHA OF BENGAL: Our Sacred Community, a landmark nationwide exhibition celebrating Bengali Buddhist art and spirituality, will open on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 6:00 PM at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka. The exhibition will remain open to visitors until Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

Marking a unique initiative in South Asia, BUDDHA OF BENGAL continues its mission to revive and promote traditional Bengali sacred art by bringing together both established and emerging artists. The exhibition coincides with the auspicious occasion of Buddhopurnima and pays homage to the teachings and legacy of Sri Buddha through artistic expression rooted in indigenous traditions.

This year’s theme centers on the Third Jewel of Buddhadharma - Sangha, or Sacred Community. Through 91 artworks, the exhibition explores ideas of spiritual fellowship, universal compassion, shared human experience, and collective awakening. The works reflect a deep engagement with themes such as communal harmony, contemplation, kinship with nature, and humanity’s interconnectedness.

A total of 80 Bangladeshi artists have contributed to this edition, presenting a diverse range of traditional mediums including watercolor, gouache, tempera, sculpture, miniature, batik, appliqué, woodcut, nakshikantha, ceramics, printmaking, and metalwork. The exhibition also marks a significant expansion in participation, with students and faculty from 15 universities and institutions nationwide, including University of Dhaka, University of Rajshahi, University of Chittagong, Jahangirnagar University, and Khulna University, among others. Participants also include artists from the Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts and international contributors from Yunnan Art University, China.

In a distinctive approach that extends beyond conventional exhibitions, BUDDHA OF BENGAL will host a dynamic program of daily activities, including Bengali classical and folk music performances, watercolor-wash technique workshops, guided artist tours, sacred art presentations, and discussions on Buddhist philosophy. These events aim to foster dialogue, learning, and deeper engagement with the spiritual and cultural dimensions of the artworks.

The exhibition will conclude with the inauguration of its first-ever Best Artists Awards ceremony, recognizing outstanding contributions across categories. Awards include BDT 80,000 for first prize, BDT 58,000 for second prize, BDT 35,000 for third prize, and BDT 35,000 for best student artwork.

Organized by the Oriental Painting Study Group and Learning Design Studio, in partnership with Alliance Française de Dhaka, BUDDHA OF BENGAL continues to build a vital platform for artistic and spiritual exchange. Through its rich and contemplative body of work, the exhibition invites audiences to reconnect with the enduring values of empathy, compassion, and collective harmony embodied in the concept of Sangha.

Exhibition Details:

Venue: La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka

Dates: April 28 – May 6, 2026

Opening: April 28, 2026 at 6:00 PM

Cultural Performances Programme

As an integral part of BUDDHA OF BENGAL: Our Sacred Community, the exhibition will feature a vibrant series of daily cultural performances, bringing together classical, folk, and devotional traditions that echo the spirit of Sangha—community, harmony, and shared expression.

• Tuesday, April 28, 2026 (Opening Day):

Flute recital by S. M. Raqibul Hassan, followed by a Bharatanatyam performance by Shaola Brototi Attoja.

• Wednesday, April 29, 2026:

Flute by Mrityunjoy Kumar Das, accompanied by tabla by Goutam Kumar Sarker.

• Thursday, April 30, 2026:

Solo and joint performances by Shamriddho Choudhury Omm (tabla) and Niloy Halder (sarangi).

Group dance, recitation, and choral song by students of Kiran Sanskriti Sadan, under the overall supervision of Dr. Anupom Kumar Paul.

Leaf flute performance by Sudarshan Bachar.

• Friday, May 1, 2026:

Sarod recital by Sutradhar Arjun, with tabla accompaniment by Masum Mian.

A special mother-and-son violin duet by Dr. Sheuli Bhattacharjee and Sayan Sayar Sparsha.

• Saturday, May 2, 2026:

Violin performance by Imon Chowdhury.

Folk songs by Humayun Azam Rewaz.

Gautam Buddha Geetikavya presented by Manoj Roy and Manabendra Roy (father and son).

• Monday, May 4, 2026:

Charyagaan er Ashore: “Those Who Understand Are the Buddha”, performed by the Sadhakshilpibrinda of Bhab Nagar Foundation.

• Tuesday, May 5, 2026:

Flute and dotara performances by Labu Miah and Ashik Dewan.

• Wednesday, May 6, 2026 (Closing Day):

Taltaranga ensemble featuring Bappy Paul (tabla and dholok), Sujoy Ghosh (tabla), and Shikat Pathak (harmonium).

Dance performance by Aritree Nandi.

A mother-and-son duet on esraj and sarangi by Sukla Halder and Shounak Debnath Wreek.

Tabla performance by Kumar Protibimbo.

The exhibition will conclude with the Award Giving Ceremony, recognizing outstanding artistic contributions from participating artists. – Press release