Children of the city making masks for Pahela Baishakh

Young participants making drawings for masks at TSC yesterday.

With Pahela Baishakh only a few days away, the TSC swimming pool premises at Dhaka University (DU) is buzzing with activity. Young artists are taking part in "Surf Excel Dekhao Protibha Mukhoshey Mukhoshey" -- a mask-making event. The programme began yesterday.
Sponsored by Surf Excel the event aims to involve school-going children of Dhaka with Baishakhi tradition of mask-making.
After primary selection, the participants will receive training on mask-making at a workshop conducted by students of Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA), DU.
"At the workshop training will be provided in two categories -- cut-paper and paper mache masks," said Sharmin Ahmed Shormi, a fourth year student of Department of Sculpture, FFA.
The workshop will be coordinated by Emam Hossain Shumon, a masters student of Sculpture Department, FFA.
"For years, students of FFA have been making colourful masks on Pahela Baishakh, but this year we want children from different schools of Dhaka to actively participate in the celebrations. We believe that such initiatives will inspire their creativity and generate interest in our traditions and festivals," Shormi added.
Students of classes 4 to 9 will be able to take part in the event. Today the selections will start at 3pm and will continue till 7 pm at the TSC swimming pool premises. The workshop on mask-making is scheduled to start from Friday which will continue till April 13.
On Pahela Baishakh an exhibition featuring the masks produced at the workshop will be held in front of Dhaka Sheraton Hotel, informed the organisers.