Cultural organisations celebrate first day of rainy season
Of the Bengali seasons, monsoon has a special appeal. Yesterday was Pahela Ashadh (first day of the rainy season on the Bengali calendar). Though city dwellers have been experiencing occasional heavy shower over the last couple of weeks, with the official arrival of monsoon, summer was over.
Through cultural programmes — featuring recitation, dances and songs — Dhakaiites welcomed monsoon yesterday in a fitting manner. Throughout the city, cultural organisations held special programmes to mark the day.
Udichi Shilpi Gosthi, Dhaka metro branch welcomed the season with a colourful programme at the Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA), Dhaka University.
This was the sixth ‘Borsha Utshab’ (monsoon festival) by Udichi in the city. The organisation has been holding the celebration since 2006.
People thronged the FFA premises, starting early in the day. The serenity of nature was broken with a sitar recital by Ebadul Haque Saikat, as ‘Borsha Utshab 1418’ kicked off. Saikat played alap, vilambit and drut gaut, as well as jhala of Raga Desh in the morning.
Artistes of Udichi performed several choruses — “Esho Nipoboney”, “Guru Guru Badal Diney”, “Esho Desh Gaur” and “Kolokolo Chholochholo”. Shilpi Akhtar performed a Nazrul Sangeet, “Aaj Sraboner Loghu Megh-er Shathey”.
The event mainly featured songs on rain written and composed by Tagore, Nazrul and DL Roy, modern and folk numbers, recitation and several dance performances.
Solo renditions were staged by Fahim Hossain Chowdhury, Anup Barua, Lina Taposhi, Azizur Rahman Tuhin, Sharmin Sathi Islam, Laisa Ahmed Lisa, Bulbul Islam, Bishwajit Roy, Saidur Rahman Boyati and others.
Artistes of Samogeet and Panchobhaskor performed “Gur Guragur Daklo Dewa” and “Bajro Manik Diye Gantha” respectively at the programme.
Laila Afroz, Belayet Hossain, Jharna Sharkar and Kazi Rosy recited poems at the event.
With the songs “Sawana Gaganey”, “Sraboner Gagoner” and “Brishti Porey Rey”, artistes of Bhabna, Nandan Kala Kendra and Nrityam respectively presented dance performances that added further shades of jubilation to the programme. Samina Hossein Prema, N.R. Wasek and Tamanna Rahman choreographed the pieces.
The event concluded with a rendition of the national anthem. ‘Borsha Utshab 1418’ was aired live on Desh TV.
Another programme, celebrating the day, also titled ‘Borsha Utshab 1418’, was held at Hakim Chattar, adjacent to Central Library of Dhaka University. The event was organised by Satyen Sen Shilpi Goshthi (SSSG).
The event featured musical performances (Rabindra and Nazrul Sangeet) by artistes Ferdaus Ara, Lily Islam, Salahuddin Ahmed, Sajed Akbar, Salma Akbar, Anima Roy, Nasima Shaheen, Biman Chandra Biswas and others.
Group performances were presented by Satyen Sen Shilpi Gosthi, Kendriyo Khelaghar Ashor, Dhrubotan, Bonhishikha and Surshaptak.
Choreographed by Tamanna Rahman and Anik Basu, artistes of Nrityam and Spondon presented two dances. Achik Cultural Academy (representing the Garo Community) also presented a group dance at the event.
The event also included a short discussion. A.A.M.S Arefin Siddique, vice-chancellor, DU was the chief guest. President of SSSG, Dr. Hayat Mamud, presided over the session. Manzarul Islam Chowdhury, general secretary of SSSG, read out the declaration for the year.
Sponsored by Banglalink, the event was aired live on Channel i.
The second session of the programme also included recitation, songs and dances. Secretary general of Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation, Jhuna Chowdhury, spoke on the occasion
Courtesy of The Daily Star
