A two-day Satyajit Ray Festival began at Jahangirnagar University yesterday (3 May), marking the birth anniversary of the legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray.

Organised by the History and Heritage Council in collaboration with the Indian High Commission in Dhaka and Jahangirnagar University, the festival is being held on 3 May and today (4 May) at the seminar hall of the Zahir Raihan Auditorium on campus.

According to organisers, the event has brought together prominent filmmakers and researchers to discuss Satyajit Ray’s multidimensional life, artistic philosophy and cinematic works.

Supporting partners of the festival include Tapoban, Bahumatrik, Kom and the Jahangirnagar Cine Society.

To enrich the programme, an art workshop has also been arranged at the auditorium premises with support from the university’s Fine Arts Department, where teachers, students and artists from across the country are participating.

On the opening day, the festival was inaugurated by Jahangirnagar University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Kamrul Ahsan. Counsellor (Education and Development Partnership) at the Indian High Commission Narpat Singh attended as special guest.

Speakers on the first day included actor Rahmat Ali, filmmaker Tanvir Mokammel and Professor Dr Rashid Harun, among others.

Today (4 May), Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan is attending as chief guest, while Acting High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Pawan Badhe is joining as an honoured guest.

Speakers scheduled for today include Tanvir Mokammel, Professor Moinuddin Khaled, Toukir Ahmed, Wahida Mallik Jolly and other distinguished personalities.

Organisers said the initiative aims to help the younger generation better understand Satyajit Ray’s artistic vision and cultural contributions, while strengthening the continuity of Bengali culture.