Shadhona’s online production ‘Bakshobondi Boishakh’ on April 14

Programmes for Pohela Boishakh, the time-honoured festival of the Bengali New Year, will not take place this year, due to concerns over the rapidly spreading coronavirus. Though celebrations have been cancelled, various artistes and cultural organisations are trying to keep up their spirits with innovative endeavours. 

Shadhona, a centre for advancement of South Asian culture, has initiated an online platform for professional performing artistes, giving them an opportunity to work from home. The platform will help artistes to perform online. Lubna Mariam, Artistic Director of Shadhona, asserts that cultural artistes need financial support as well, in this time of crisis.

 Shadhona is organising an online event, titled 'Bakshobondi Boishakh' on this Pohela Boishakh. The online event will go on air on social media on the first day of the Bangla New Year 1427 (14 April, 2020) at 10 am from the event page and official page of Shadhona, on Facebook. It will feature dance recitals, songs, poetry recitations and speeches on current affairs. Aside from performances by the artistes of Shadhona, the programme will also include speeches by eminent cultural personality and Former Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor, writer-actor Naznin Chumki, singer Anusheh Anandil and musicians Seth Panduranga Blumberg, Arash and Raha. Lubna Mariam has planned and conceptualised the production.

Shadhona dancers Lubna Mariam, Amit Chowdhury, Sweety Das Chowdhury, Zuairiyah Mouli, Arthy Ahmed, Hasan Ishtique Imran, Anandita Khan, Ariful Islam Arnob, Taskin Anha, Sinthia Yasmin, Shammy Akter, Parsa Evana, Abu Nayeem, Alka Das Pranti, Aviroop H Sharma and Rubaiat Mehzabin Anika have choreographed the dances.  Several singers, such as Nirjher Chowdhury, Tanjina Toma, Shimu Dey and Ashikur Rahman have lent their voices, while elocutionists Saimul Islam Poluck and Rehana Haque Poly have recited for the production. The event 'Bakshobondi Boishakh' aims to be a source of encouragement in the global fight to end COVID-19.