Minu Haque

🪔 About

Minu Haque (née Billah) is a prominent Bangladeshi Odissi dancer, choreographer, and institution builder. Born to Meter Billah and Mina Billah, she began her dance journey at the age of five. Her initial training was under Dulal Talukder, and she further honed her skills by joining the Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts (BAFA) in 1967. She completed her matriculation in 1968 from Motijheel Girl's High School. During a pivotal period in her nation's history, Haque served as a nurse in Bishramganj, Agartala, India, during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971. She later pursued higher education, earning a Master's degree in Psychology from the University of Dhaka in 1977. Haque's dedication to Odissi dance led her to further specialized training in India, where she studied under renowned practitioners Sunny Mahapatra and Ipshita Behura between 1988 and 1995. In 1997, she established the Pallavi Dance Center, an Odissi dance school, which is recognized as the first of its kind in Bangladesh, reflecting her passion for teaching and promoting the art form. Her commitment to the dance world extended to founding Nrityadhara in 2001, an organization dedicated to cultural programs and dance research, with the aim of exploring and reviving Bengal's dance heritage. Minu Haque is a well-known figure in the Bangladeshi dance community, actively associated with the Bangladesh Dance Artist Association. She currently serves as the President of the Bangladesh Nrittya Shilpi Shongstha (Bangladesh Dance Artist Association), a role she assumed around 2019. Her significant contributions to the arts were recognized with the prestigious Ekushey Padak in 2018, one of Bangladesh's highest civilian awards. Through her performing, choreographing, teaching, and leadership roles, Minu Haque has played a crucial role in the development and popularization of Odissi dance in Bangladesh. Awards & Honours: Ekushey Padak (2018).