Nobanno celebrations in Chittagong

At the advent of Bangla month Agrahayan and season Hemanta, hundreds of city dwellers in Chittagong felicitated the traditional Nobanno Utsab (festival of new harvest) amid great festivity and cultural programme at DC hill on Saturday evening.

The celebration of Nobanno is a traditional festival of agrarian rural people. During this time, harvest is celebrated with different kinds of pitha (traditional cakes). However, young urbanites are deprived of such experience. That's why the celebration of the festival is organised for the first time in Chittagong, said Rubel Das Prince, member secretary of organising committee. The programme was organised by Shishumela, a cultural organisation for children. 

Speaking as the chief guest, Iftekhar Uddin, vice chancellor of Chittagong University said the new generation should understand that the celebration of Nobanno Utsab is reminding them of their rich heritage and culture. He said at present around 32 % or 5 crore 76 lakh people of Bangladesh are in the age group between 10 and 24. If the mindset of this group is uninformed, the nation as a whole would suffer. 

The programme was inaugurated by three farmers. Babul Jaladas and his troupe entertained audience by playing dhol, followed by chorus songs and group dance performances. Khelaghar Chattagram Mohanagari, Obhudoy Sangit Angan, Charuta Sangeet Academy, Nishpap Autism School, Surangan Bidyapit, Charuta Nrityakala academy and Nritya Niketon performed in the programme. 

The chorus recitation by Bodhom Abriti Parishad, Proma Abriti Sanghatan and Tarunner Uchhas followed. Besides, a pantomime presentation was performed by Pantomime movement centre. 

Finally, local singers Shantanu Biswas, Kanta Dey, Suporna Roy Chowdhury, Aklima Mukta, Gita Acharya, Misthu Bosak and Boishakhi Nath participated in the event anchored by Kankan Das and Ayesha Huq Shimu.