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Spring in the air

Bashonto Utshab at Charukala

Nadia Sarwat
Women, teenagers and little girls wearing red, yellow, orange or saffron sari, and men in panjabi started arriving at the Bakultala, Charukala (Faculty of Fine Arts) premises early morning yesterday. Though the city has not witnessed much crimson Shimul or Palash yet, marigold and roses were there to compensate. Here and there, students of FFA were painting bright designs on cheeks of children and eager revellers. On the stage under the BakuT tree, flutist Gazi Abdul Hakim was playing a classical tune. Ebadul Haque Saikat was accompanying him on the sitar. As the crowd grew larger, the mood turned merrier. Some expats
were seen enjoying the festivities as well.
First day of the Bengali month Falgun, in other words, first day of spring, was ushered in with much gusto in Dhaka. With the slogan "Esho Praan-er Utshabey," Jatiyo Bashonto Utshab Parishad celebrated the event with a daylong festival at the FFA premises yesterday. Noted recitor Kazi Arif, member secretary of the festival committee, welcomed the audience. "Inspired by initiatives of iconic figures such as poet Shamsur Rahman, and Tagore exponent Wahidul Haque, Jatiyo Bashonto Utshab Parishad started celebrating Pahela Falgun in the city a decade ago. The celebration is open to all, uniting people from all sections of the society," said Kazi Arif.
Spring was welcomed with a chorus of the Rabindra Sangeet,
"Bishwa beena robey." Artistes of Chhayanat then presented the song "Bashonto elo elo." Noted Tagore artiste Mita Haque performed a solo, "Alok-ereijharna dharaye."
The convenor of the festival, eminent theatre personality Aly Zaker presented the festival announcement. "There are many odds in the society... yet the general mood lightens up with the arrival of spring, albeit subconsciously. This festival is a platform to unite people with the help of music and colours of nature," said Zaker in the speech.
Dances, recitations and songs rejoicing the spirit of spring, which is synonymous with the celebration of life, were highlights of the event. Leading cultural organisations, prominent and promising artistes of the country performed at the
programme. Nazrul Academy, Dhrubotan, Rabi Raag, Spandan, Nrityam, Padatik, Geetanjali, Dhrupad, Natraaj, K'jona and many others performed for hours. Kazi Arif, Hasan Arif, Khairul Anam Shakil, Lily Islam, Ferdous Ara, Fahim Hossain Chowdhury, Azizur Rahman Tuhin and other artistes also performed at the event. Along with traditional Bengali songs and poems, adivasi poetry and dances were also included in the festival.
The first half of the programme ended with a vibrant rally brought out from the Charukala premises. The programme resumed in the afternoon. As part of the festival, Jatiyo Bashonto Utshab Parishad organised a programme at Rabindra Sarobar as well on the same day.