The five-week-long Jamdani Festival 2019, organised by National Crafts Council of Bangladesh and Bengal Foundation, has begun in the capital on Friday.
The inauguration ceremony of the Jamdani exhibition, followed by the Mastercraftspersons Award ceremony, held on the premises of Bengal Shilpalaya in Dhanmondi of the capital.
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni inaugurated the exhibition as chief guest, while Mayor of Narayanganj Dr Selina Hayat Ivy and president of the World Crafts Council Asia-Pacific Region Dr Ghada Hijjawi-Qaddumi were present as special guests on the occasion. Presided over by National Crafts Council of Bangladesh president Rafiqul Islam, the exhibition curator Chandra Shekhar Saha and director general of Bengal Foundation Luva Nahid Choudhury were also present at the ceremony.
Abul Hasnat, executive director of Bengal Publications, officially launched a Jamdani catalogue, while Ruby Ghuznavi founder of National Crafts Council of Bangladesh and Bengal Foundation chairman Abul Khair handed over the awards to five master weavers and their apprentices.
The Mastercraftspersons Award honoured the most gifted master weaver and apprentice for their skills and contributions to the community. They are—Ustad Md Sajib and his apprentice anwar Hossain, Md Motalib and assistant weaver Md Nur Alam, Md. Munir and apprentice Abu Bakkar, Ustaad Md. Siddiq and apprentice Maqsuda, Md Jamal and apprentice Shakil.
The exhibition will remain open to all everyday from 12pm to 8pm (closed on Sunday), until October 12.