Pahela Baishakh celebrated countrywide
As Bengalees across the nation celebrated Pahela Baishakh, mentally-challenged patients undergoing treatment in 500-bed Pabna Mental Hospital for the first time joined the festivities, to welcome the Bangla New Year at the hospital premises.
Thanks to initiatives by hospital authorities. The patients performed music and dance at the Baishakhi programme held at the auditorium in Pabna mental hospital on Thursday morning.
A discussion featured on the occasion, addressed among the director of Pabna Mental Hospital Dr. Tonmoy Prokash Bishwas, Superintendent Dr. Kartik Chandra, Residential medical officer Dr. Dilara Akter spoke on the occasion.
“Mentally-challenged people prove themselves time and again if they get the chance, and it was proved again through this programme,” Bishwas said.
Staff of the hospital also joined the patients in the cultural programmes, which featured Baishakhi and patriotic songs.
Sanjoy Kumar Barua, Bandarban
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Traditional Maitree Pani Barshan (Water Festival) programme of indigenous Marma community of Bandarban hill district starts amid festivity marking Sangrain festival in hills.
Many tourists from home and abroad gathered in the district town to celebrate the programme. Foreign tourists also took part in the merriment.
Chairman of Bandarban Hill District Council, Kwe Shwe Hla inaugurated the two-day programme at Bandarban Rajar Math area on Friday afternoon. Utsab Udjapan Parishad along with Marma Shilpi Gosti, a local cultural organisation, held elaborate programmes to celebrate Sangrain, marking the New Year.
Cultural programmes and traditional indigenous games were celebrated on the occasion.
A large number of enthusiastic locals -- along with Marmas from the three hill districts of Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari -- joined the festival.
“The indigenous communities living in CHT have greatly enriched the collective culture of Bangladesh”, said a tourist who joined in the programme from America.
Sangrain, which began on April 12, concluded yesterday.
Aminul Islam, Mymensingh
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Flamboyant cultural functions marked Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bangla New Year 1423. Artistes of Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammilon Parishad organised a cultural show marking the occasion at town's Municipal Park 'Baishakhi Mancha'. Artistes of the parishad opened their day's programme with the Tagore song “Esho Hey Baishakh Esho Esho” followed by other songs, dance and poetry performed by the artistes of the parishad.
Artistes of Mymensingh Udichi Shilpi Goshthi also organised musical soiree at Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Sangrahashala premises, on the bank of Old Brahmaputra River.
Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University (JKKNIU) authority took a daylong cultural programme marking the celebrations. Artistes of Music Department of the university led the cultural shows. Members of Theatre and Performance Studies of JKKNIU also staged a drama marking the celebrations. Cultural programmes was also held at the 'Baishakhi Mancha' on the campus of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU).
Mymensingh district Shilpakala Academy, Shishu Academy, Mymensingh Sangeet Bidhalaya, Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Sangrahashala, Alokmoy Naha Sangeet Bidhyatan, Mukul Niketan Sangskritik Academy and Novice Foundation organised separate cultural programmes to receive the New Year.
Sushanta Ghosh, Barisal
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Chaitra Sangkranti and Pahela Baishakh were observed in Barisal with various colourful programmes and enthusiasm, bidding farewell to outgoing 1422 and welcoming Bangla New Year 1423. Charukala Barisal organised traditional Mongol Shobhajatra from City College campus on the morning of April 14. Udichi Barisal unit also arranged a rally from BM School. Barisal University conducted a separate Mongol Shobhajatra at its main campus.
A three-day Baishakhi fair and festivals and cultural functions were also arranged by Udichi at BM School ground on the occasion.
Shabdaboli Group Theatre at Barisal central Shahid Minar, Chander Haat at Barisal TB Clinic field, Planet World Children Park at park premises and local businessmen at Hatkhola also arranged Chaitra Sangkranti, Baishakhi Mela and cultural programmes from April 13-15.
Zahangir Shah, Manikganj
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Pahela Baishakh was celebrated in Manikganj with cultural functions, colourful rally and discussion. Manikganj district administration organized the programmes on Thursday.
The colourful rally was brought out from the Bijoy mela ground at around 9:30am. Manikganj deputy commissioner Rashida Fedaus led the rally, which paraded the town streets.
A cultural function was held at Chhayabithi Mancha on Manikganj deputy commissioner's office premises later. Artistes of Manikganj district units of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and Bangladesh Shishu Academy, artists of Sangskritik Biplobi Sangha and Saptasur Sangeet Academy performed chorus songs at the function. Artistes of Mukul Nrityagram staged Geetinatya 'Mohua Sundari' Children of Shishu Academy recited poems in chorus.
Manikganj district Bar Association also organised discussion and cultural programmes at its premises. Judge Hasina Rowshan Jahan, Manikganj Zila parishad administrator advocate Golam Mohiuddin, Manikgan Bar president advocate Khalulur Rahman and its secretary AKM Azizul Haque addressed the programme.