CARNIVAL OF LOVE

Photo: Darshan Chakma

The season of love and colours was welcomed by all on the 13th and 14th of February, 2014 as Airtel Bangladesh Limited hosted the “Carnival of Love” at the Army Museum Ground, Bijoy Shoroni in Dhaka. The two day event was a celebration of the start of spring as well as Valentine's Day.
The hosts promised and delivered two whole days of entertainment which included games, food festival, musical performances and the premiere of the telefilm “Bhalobasha 101”. The event site was set up using numerous white tents that served as stalls for many popular food, clothing and household brands. Airtel provided an internet booth as well (also functioning as a sales booth), where many gathered to check out the newly offered dual SIM connection package launched exclusively at the event. Giant screens were placed at different points throughout the premises which displayed the programme taking place on the stage and around the venue. The stage itself was decorated with bright colours and lamps lined in front of it to create a romantic ambience in the cool February evenings.
On the first day, people of all ages attended the event dressed in bright colours like orange and yellow to mark the beginning of a new season. Young women -- wearing floral crowns -- were accompanied by their significant others, trying out snacks or drinks, or simply having a chat under the shade of the many patio umbrellas. The smell of char-grilled barbecue and tandoori from the stalls drew in most and rightfully so, as only a few could resist the 'two for the price of one' deal some offered.

Photo: Darshan Chakma

Airtel Radio Foorti Young Stars Tanvir Ahmed Rossi, Rubaiya Rahman Upoma and Frontline Poems performed their new tracks and entertained the gathering until late afternoon. The hosts then organised an eating contest which proved to be a highlight of the event. Contestants on stage participated in what was a five stage eating contest, which included appetisers, main courses and beverages. It was a treat watching them eat with such fervour and after quite a while the victor emerged, albeit exhausted, winning six free scoops of ice cream for herself.
As night drew near, Old School took the stage and performed various covers along with their own “Bango”, “Mon-er Kachhe Khola Chithi” and “Aaj Raat-e Kono Rupkotha Nei”. They were followed by Ajob who played their original tracks such as “Nirjono Jomuna'r Kule”; renditions of Lalon's “Khachar Bhitor Ochin Pakhi”, Kala Shai's “Doyal Poroshmoni”, and S.D. Burman's “Shono Go Dokhino Hawa” -- groovy numbers that got the young lovers sit and revel in the soulful music. Later, Shunno enlivened the atmosphere with the last performance of the night that included “Shoto Asha”, “Rajahin Rajje”, “Sritir Chhera Pata” and many more of their own.
The second day of the event saw a big turnout, being a Friday as well as the much awaited day of love. Individuals, couples, families and groups appeared ever since the gates opened and the number amplified the whole time. The staff at the thirty food stalls were ever so busy and so were the ones at the juice shops, selling fresh fruity goodness to eager visitors. Decked out couples were seen all around, all chirpy and delighted, and acquiring the benefits of the arrangements guaranteed to offer a good time. Some lingered around the venue and some took photos at the heart-shaped photo booth and signed up to collect the piece of memory. Children were being children -- living life to the fullest, running to and from the many shops and some even enjoyed a 9D movie show with the family, set up in a mobile vehicle at the event. Many visited the stall of SHOUT (yes, we were there) and collected previous issues and free posters.
The performances of the day began with another talented group of Young Stars comprising of Piyash Reza and the bands Ahetuk and The Spade. The next artist on stage was the versatile Palbasha Siddique, exciting and engaging the crowd with covers of The White Stripes' “Seven Nation Army” and Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams' “Get Lucky”. She then moved on to Bangla numbers, presenting “Jol Shopno” and “Kar Opekkhay Tar Janala” from the telefilm “Bhalobasha 101” scheduled to premiere later that night.
The songs on the stage and interviews of couples on-site were aired live on Channel 9. The sky darkened and after the prayer break Nemesis got on stage, greeted by eager response from the audience. Zohad and company played “Obocheton” and “Onneshon” from their debut album, followed by “Kobe”. The night was far from over because next up was Arnob, and as expected, his “Tomar Jonno”, “Mon Tore” and “Bhalobasha Tarpor” kept everyone wanting more.
Among the many people at the event were Taslima and Mahbubur Rahman who told us that they appreciated the effort by the organisers in creating such an event. “I love how this venue is not extremely overcrowded. The music is pleasant, the food is good, especially the barbecue. I'd definitely say it's time well spent,” said Nobel Mahtabuddin, student of a private university who came with friends at the event.
After all the presentations and hype it was time for the premiere of the telefilm “Bhalobasha 101”, directed by Redoan Rony and starring Mishu Sabbir, Mehazabien Chowdhury, Safa Kabir, Salman Muqtadir and others. The director was invited on the stage where he called upon the cast and introduced them to the audience. The screening of the telefilm followed and was received well, as the two day event reached its climax.
Rahath Ahmed, head of Marcom, Airtel Bangladesh Limited, expressed how youthful the event had been. “Our previous generations did not celebrate such days as we do now, so I really believe this blend of Boshonto and Valentine's Day was a huge success,” he said. He also revealed Airtel's intent to organise more events like these in the future, and throughout the country.
Airtel Bangladesh Limited, in association with Vivid, successfully executed a grand event embracing the two occasions of Boshonto Boron and Valentine's Day under a single roof, metaphorically. As the event's motto suggested, they did take love to a different level.