The special episode, recorded in Sonargaon, Narayanganj, will be broadcast on Bangladesh Television (BTV) on Friday, 6 November, after the 8pm news bulletin. Alongside selected segments from the original Sonargaon episode, the compilation will include memorable features from several previous editions of the long-running programme.
Written, directed and presented by Hanif Sanket, Ityadi is produced by Fagun Audio Vision. The production company announced the details in a press release.
The original episode was filmed in front of the historic Bara Sardar Bari, within the premises of the Bangladesh Folk Arts and Crafts Foundation in Sonargaon. The venue was arranged around a sculpture inspired by Sangram, one of the renowned paintings by celebrated Bangladeshi artist Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin. Several thousand invited guests attended the recording.
Music will be one of the main attractions of the upcoming episode, which features three principal songs. Among them is a special composition exploring people’s longing to rediscover their roots and reconnect with their cultural identity. The song brings together two popular performers from different musical traditions, Kumar Bishwajit and Chishti Baul.
Written by Mohammad Rafiquzzaman, the song has been composed and arranged by Ibrahim Tipu. The collaboration is expected to offer a distinctive musical experience by bringing together the artists’ contrasting styles.
The programme will also celebrate Sonargaon’s rich history and cultural heritage through a specially written introductory song. Penned by Moniruzzaman Palash, the composition will accompany a dance performance by more than 50 local dancers, highlighting the area’s historical and cultural significance.
Another musical highlight will come from the archives of Ityadi. The compilation will feature a popular song originally broadcast in June 2003. Sung by Santu, with lyrics by Liton Adhikari Rintu, the performance will bring back a memorable moment from the programme’s earlier years.
Beyond entertainment, the episode will feature several social and humanitarian reports focusing on issues affecting communities across Bangladesh.
Two information-based reports will explore the rich history of Narayanganj and Sonargaon, alongside the activities and significance of the Bangladesh Folk Arts and Crafts Foundation. The reports will offer viewers an opportunity to revisit the country’s cultural heritage and the importance of preserving traditional arts and crafts.
Education and social responsibility will also receive attention. One report will focus on young social worker Shahed Kayes, who has been working to bring educational opportunities to disadvantaged children in Sonargaon. His efforts to spread education among children with limited access to learning will form the centrepiece of this segment.
Environmental awareness will feature through a report on Khairul Alam, a nature enthusiast and dedicated tree planter. The segment will highlight his commitment to protecting nature and promoting a greener environment, drawing attention to the role individuals can play in environmental conservation.
The compilation will also include a follow-up report on an unconventional school established in the haor wetlands of Kishoreganj. The initiative offers a glimpse into efforts to provide education in geographically challenging areas, where access to conventional educational facilities can be difficult.
Another particularly sensitive report will examine the severe drinking water shortage faced by residents of Gabura Union, a remote area in Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira. The segment will portray the daily hardships of people struggling to secure safe drinking water, bringing attention to a basic necessity that remains difficult to access in some parts of the country.
As in its regular editions, the programme will retain its satirical theatrical segment, which highlights various social irregularities through humour and social commentary.
The episode will also feature familiar audience favourites, including the audience participation segment, Nani-Nati, Mama-Bhagney and the letters section.
With a combination of music, cultural heritage, social awareness and entertainment, the special compilation aims to offer viewers a varied television experience. By bringing together memorable performances and reports from different editions, Ityadi will once again highlight stories of ordinary people, community initiatives and the cultural traditions that form an important part of Bangladesh’s identity.
