By Nafid Imran Ahmed

LAST month UK had a cultural feast on Bangladesh. The 3 — week Bangladesh festival entitled T h e Bangladesh Festival In UK '99. organized by Arts Worldwide, a UK based charity, was the most comprehensive show representing the richness of the exotic art forms of the deltaic land which had taken UK by storm. One of the most successful and celebrated events, the festival attracted the attention of the Bangladeshis residing in Britain as well as the locals. The British Council in Dhaka, to give the Bangla-deshi audience an essence of what actually happened in Britain presented a part of the actual show on August 5 at 7 p.m. at the British Council auditorium.

The programme started with a speech by Tom Cowin, the director of The British Council. He said, "The festival, last month, was a wonderful opportunity for the British Bangladeshi community in Britain to celebrate their own culture. The festival also brought the richness and depth of Bangladeshi culture to a huge audience of British people who had little chance before to experience it."

The cultural show began with Nilufar Yasmin enchanting the audience with her mellifluous voice. She sang Sha-mono Raate Jodi and Baje Monjulo Monjulo Rinik Jhinik much to the pleasure of the spectators. Bidit Lal Das from Sylhet. who focuses on Sufi

music and that of Hasan Raja sang Ami Jaimu O Jaimu Al-lahro Sathe and O Thakur Aow re Aow giving the audience something new to appreciate and experience.

As Farida Parveen walked on stage the audience applauded cheerfully, pleased to see their favorite Lalan singer ready to render some songs. As she sang Somoy Gele Shadhon Hobe and Milon Hobe Koto Dine her fans sang along with her. When she was departing many screamed, "One more! One morel” but all end vain.

The Palagan (which is a form of story telling by a single person with the help of musicians and singers) troop of Kishorgonj came next. A single man Islamuddin Palakar, a group member narrated the epic tale Kamala Shundari with mind, dance, song and homour. The audience loved his comedic performance.

Then the Bauls Kangalini Sufia, Najrul Islam. Sakham All and Mohammed Jahangir Baul sang a chorus song Shob Loke Koy Lalan Ki Koy Sang-share. Then Kangalini Sufia and Jahangir Baul sang Po-raner Bandhob Re Buri Hoilam Tor Karone and Moner Moto Manush Paile Akkhan Bhab Koritam respectively, which were liked by all.

Therewith the Chittagong Drummers took their place on stage and Jammed with the Tablathe Dolok. The team was lead by Babu) Kanti Jaladas. The other drummers who performed are Krishna Mohan Jaladash. Harilal. Sukhadash Joladash among others. Unique

and entertaining - it was a treat for all who were present.

It was a wonderful evening for all present at the British Council auditorium. It was in-teresting and enjoyable and the artists proved yet again how

talented they are. The British Council did a marvelous job in getting these people together and presenting such a fantastic show - needless to say the performers lived up to their own. very high standards.