Pitha Festival 2005

Veteran poet Shamsur Rahman inaugurated the festival by unveiling the special pithas covered with traditional colourful clothes tied with gas balloons. Theatre activist Ramendu Majumdar, singers Bulbul Mohalanobish, Rebecca Sultana and other cultural personalities were also present on the occasion.

The festival featured 40 types of different pithas--both sour and sweet--originated in different districts of the country. The long list included from common ones such as Patishapta, Bhapa and Puli to the most exclusive and uncommon ones like Mera pitha, Labanga pitha, Khir Pitha, Dim Shuji pitha, Chepa pitha, Lona pitha, Shutki pitha and many, many more. These mouthwatering delicacies attracted so many people that it was difficult to find any room to stand. Many spectators were seen looking for the recipes of exclusive pithas such as Chonga pitha of Sylhet.

The location was also appropriate as the Dhanmondi Lake is all around the spot with ample green and natural beauty. The venue was decorated with traditional Bangalee artifacts such as Shika, bamboo fences and colourful balloons.

This was the 15th time that Drishti had arranged the pitha festival in the city. The specialty of this year's festival was a competition among twelve participants from across the city. Shirin Sultana from Mirpur, one of the participants who was competing in the festival for the third time, baked an exclusive pitha made of egg and spinach. She became first for her Chhoto Chitoi Pitha, while the two other winners were Rubina Rahman for Golap and Machh pitha and Afroza Sarkar Jharna for Patishapta.

The day long festival offered the visitors different pithas to eat--surely a pleasant experience for the city dwellers.