Sarod player Shiraz Ali Khan fled Bangladesh after Chhayanaut was vandalized before his concert amid unrest following a radical leader’s death.

Kolkata-based sarod player Shiraz Ali Khan, of Bangladeshi heritage, fled Dhaka on December 19 after the historic cultural venue Chhayanaut was vandalized hours before his scheduled performance. The attack occurred amid nationwide unrest following the death of radical leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Khan, a descendant of renowned musician Ustad Allauddin Khan, escaped by concealing his Indian identity, speaking in the Brahmanbaria dialect and hiding his documents. His tabla player remains stranded, and he expressed concern for his mother and Hindu accompanists still in Bangladesh. He said he would not return until cultural institutions are protected, condemning the violence against art and heritage.