Photo: Mumit M.

With the theme "Esho Mili Praner Utshabey," members of Jatiyo Bashonto Udjapon Parishad ushered in Pahela Falgun (the first day of spring in the Bengali calendar) with an elaborate cultural programme at Bakultala, Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA) premises yesterday.
Women, as well as adolescent and little girls wearing red, yellow, orange or saffron sari, and men in panjabi started arriving at Bakultala early morning. Though the city has not witnessed much crimson Shimul or Palash yet, marigold and roses were there to compensate. Here and there, students of FFA were painting bright designs on cheeks of children and eager revellers. As the crowd grew larger, the mood turned merrier.
Inspired by initiatives of iconic figures such as poet Shamsur Rahman, and Tagore exponent Wahidul Haque, Jatiyo Bashonto Utshab Parishad started celebrating Pahela Falgun in the city a decade ago. The celebration is open to all, uniting people from all sections of the society.
The daylong programme was divided into two segments. The first segment of the programme began at 6:45am with a classical dance over one of Priyanka Gope's classical records.
Spring was welcomed with a number of solo and choral renditions of Rabindra Sangeet and other songs by the artistes of Chhayanat, Swarsaptak, Dhrubotan, Surtirtha and other organisations. Noted Tagore artiste Mita Haque performed two solos amongst others. Bhaswar Banerjee, Shimul Mustafa and Kakoli recited poems at the event.
Nritya Nandan, Nritym, BAFA, Shadhona, Dhrupad Kala Kendra, Spondon, Nataraj, Chhayanaut were the leading dance troupes to perform on the occasion. Monipuri raas dance captivated the hearts of many.
The convener of the festival, eminent media personality Aly Zaker and others spoke on the occasion.
The first half of the programme ended with a vibrant rally brought out from the FFA premises with a Tagore number "Rangiye Diye Jao" by the artistes of Chhayanaut. The programme resumed in the afternoon. As part of the festival, Jatiyo Bashonto Utshab Parishad organised a programme at Rabindra Sarobar as well on the same day.
Banglalink sponsored the programme.