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Bidding farewell to last year

12 April 2006, 18:00 PM
LIFESTYLE
By Ershad Kamol
12 April 2006, 18:00 PM
A rural fair on Chaitra Shankranti. PHOTO: STAR
Today, the last day of the Bangla year, known asChaitra Shankrantiis also the last day of the traditionalChaitra Parbafestival. The festival continues for the last three days of the month ofChaitra. In its early years the festival was conceived to be a religious festival but with the pace of time it has been converted into a festival of the masses.

Though the day is not celebrated through colourful events like Pahela Baishakh in Dhaka or urban areas, it is a popular cultural trend in the rural areas of Bangladesh. Melas (fair) and social gatherings are arranged in the rural areas to celebrate the day. Since 2002, Chaitra Shankranti celebration has been regularly observed in Dhaka.

To observe the traditional event in the city, Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation (BGTF) and a few other cultural groups have arranged Chaitra Shankranti programmes.

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Since 2002 BGTF has been regularly arranging the programme at Mahila Samity Stage. Kalim Sharafi will inaugurate the programme, which will be presided over by M Hamid, the president of BGTF. Moreover, cultural personalities will deliver speeches on the occasion.

Explaining the significance of the festival, convenor of the programme Keramat Moula says, "BGTF uses Chaitra Shankranti to connect people with their heritage."

Today along with the theatre activists, singers, recitors and dancers will also gather at the Mahila Samiti.

Sadi Mohammad, Mita Haq, Aditi Mohsin, Khairul Anam Shakil, Shimul Yousuff, Khaled Khan, Fazlur Rahman Babu, Liaquat Ali Lucky, Khairul Islam Shobuj and Rahul Anand will perform. Dance troupes Nrityanchal, Nrityadhara and artistes of Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts (BAFA) will perform in the evening session. Pragna Laboni, Shimul Mostafa and others will recite poems.

Shurer Dhara, a cultural organisation, has arranged a musical soiree titled Bangla Ganer Oitijhya (tradition of Bangla songs) at Lalmatia High School premises.

Moreover, Padatik Natya Sangsad has arranged a Chaitra Shankranti celebration at Rabindra Sarobar (open stage near Dhanmondi Lake) at 5 pm. The troupe will celebrate the event with music, dance and recitation. Besides Padatik Natya Sangsad, Nrityanandan and Swabhumi will perform. Renowned artistes Shaheen Samad, Tapan Mahmud, Ferdaus Ara and others will render solo songs. The other attraction of the arrangement is a presentation of indigenous instruments by rural artists.