USHERING IN MONSOON

Among all the six seasons, monsoon has a special appeal. And when it comes to melody, Bengali people have a special place in their hearts for monsoon melodies. Though the city dwellers have been experiencing occasional showers over the last couple of weeks, yesterday, the first day of Bengali month Ashadh, marked the advent of the season.

To preserve nature and to welcome the Monsoon, cultural organisation Udichi Shilpi Gosthi (Dhaka Metropolitan Unit), organised Borsha Utsab 1423 yesterday at Nazrul Mancha, Bangla Academy, Dhaka.

The programme started off with the choral performance of the song “Allah Megh De, Pani De, Chhaya De Re Tui”. The rendition was accompanied with traditional Bengali instruments-- dhol, tabla, dotara and banshi.  With a rendition of Raga “Mian Ki Malhar”, talented artiste Priyanka Gope welcomed the season of rain. The programme also featured performance of solo songs, dance and poetry recitation.

Leading and promising artistes including, Bulbul Islam, Mahadeb Ghosh, Anima Mukti Gomes, Bizon Chandra Mistry and Biman Chandra Biswas rendered solo songs composed by Tagore, Nazrul, folk bards and other poets, at the programme. Artistes of Nrityam and Spondon staged colourful dance performances. Jayanta Chattopadhyay, Belayet Hossain and Shikha Sengupta recited poems.

A special monsoon musical titled, “Brishti Porey Tapur Tupur” was presented at the venue. Compiled by Mahmud Selim and Directed by Biplob Raihan, artistes of Udichi Dhaka Metro Unit along with artistes of Mirpur, Badda, Turag, Kafrul and Nawabganj branches of Udichi took part in the musical.

The programme also included a discussion. Udichi Central Unit President Kamal Lohani, Vice-president Shankar Shawjal and Dhaka Metro Unit president Kazi Mohammad Shish spoke at the discussion. Nibash Dey, convener of this year's Borsha Utshab Udjapan Parishad, read out the declaration for monsoon.

“One of the main objectives of holding Borsha Utshab by Udichi is to uphold the picture of monsoon not only to the people of cities but also to the drudges of rural areas of Bangladesh,” said Kamal Lohani.

The organisers presented saplings to every artiste who performed at the event.