Kolkata-based sarod player Shiraz Ali Khan was compelled to cut short his visit to Bangladesh and return to India after a major cultural venue in Dhaka, Chhayanaut, was vandalised hours before his scheduled performance on December 19, 2025. The attack left him deeply shaken and fearful for his safety, according to reports. Shiraz had arrived in Dhaka on December 16 and performed at a jazz concert in Banani on December 17, which was attended by fewer than 20 people. He had planned a classical recital at Chhayanaut two days later, an event that never took place due to the violent disruption.
The assault on Chhayanaut occurred amid a period of nationwide unrest following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a radical figure linked to last year’s anti-Hasina protests. Hadi died in a Singapore hospital a week after being shot by masked gunmen in Dhaka, triggering renewed protests and security concerns. Radical elements are reportedly exploiting the unrest to consolidate influence in the streets while the interim government struggles to maintain order. The vandalism of Chhayanaut, a historic institution tied to Bangladesh’s cultural and musical heritage, reflects a growing threat to Indian and shared cultural institutions in the country.
Shiraz, whose family has deep roots in Bangladesh, expressed the pain of witnessing attacks on institutions connected to his lineage. He is the son of Ustad Dhyanesh Khan, grandson of sarod maestro Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, and great-grandson of Baba Allauddin Khan from Brahmanbaria. “Years ago, a college named after my great-grandfather in Brahmanbaria was attacked. But the vandalism of Chhayanaut is an unimaginable assault on our culture and shared values,” he said.
During his escape from Bangladesh, Shiraz had to hide his Indian identity due to growing anti-India sentiment. At a checkpoint, he was questioned about carrying foreign currency. To avoid potential threats, he did not disclose his nationality and communicated in the Brahmanbaria dialect he learned from his mother. His passport and mobile phone were hidden by his driver until he reached the airport safely. Shiraz described the journey back to Kolkata as filled with fear, stating, “I never imagined I would have to hide who I am.”
Shiraz’s mother and several Hindu accompanists remain in Bangladesh, though he has withheld their names for safety reasons. He has confirmed that he will not return to Bangladesh until artists and cultural institutions are guaranteed protection and respect.
