Published on 12:00 AM, July 02, 2018

Soulfullment: A day of all things art

Photo: Akib Abdullah

In collaboration with Delta Tribe, an international platform for psychedelic music, art, and culture in Bangladesh, Jatra Biroti hosted Soulfullment, a one-of-a-kind art festival,last weekend. Crowds gathered at the festival for socialising and expanding their circles, and for a day of art, music, poetry, workshops, food, and shopping. This festival was a well-crafted concoction of vibrancy, innovation and talented individuals; it was a feast for the senses for people of all ages.

Many emerging artists displayed their artworks and set up their own stalls at the festival. The art pieces captured the attention of art enthusiasts, while the stall goodies – be it colourful sunglasses or painted journals, were a hit amongst shoppers. Meanwhile, on the rooftop, spectators cheered for recitations by aspiring poets, strangers and friends alike challenged one another at carom, and people won free books by beating some stall owners at Uno.

A number of workshops were also hosted at the festival. Many got a glimpse of the ins and outs of poi spinning, a performing art that involves swinging tethered weights through different rhythimical and geometric patterns. On the other hand, children and adults alike had an enjoyable experience as they ran amok with paint at a fluid art workshop.

In addition, a special vegetarian menu including soft shell taco with eggplant, pasta with mushroom in pink sauce and chickpea stew with mashed potatoes along with juices and hot beverages, showed meat-eaters and non-meat eaters how nutritious and simple it is to adapt to a healthy lifestyle while not minimising on taste.

After wards, a 9th grader, FardinKabir, took everyone's breath away as he sang Elvis Presley's Can't Help Falling in Love with a ukulele. He was not one of the partaking artistes – the exuberant surroundings of the event just compelled him to pick up the instrument.

Lastly, everyone enjoyed an evening concert featuring different musicians.