Festival For Justice

Artistes ushered in the advent of spring through music and dance. Photo: Atl Aakash

As the nature adorned itself with a vibrant new look, Dhaka residents celebrated the advent of spring, the king of all seasons. People started thronging the Dhaka University campus from early morning yesterday ('Pahela Falgun', the first day of spring according to Bangla calendar) to welcome the season of flowers that symbolises youth and love.
Keeping pace with the tradition, Jatiya Bashanto Utshab Udjapon Parishad organised a grand cultural programme in the first hours of spring, under the Bokul tree at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Shahbagh. Dhaka university campus put on a festive look as women in Bashanti (yellow) saris with floral ornaments and men in panjabis gathered at FFA premises.
This year's Pahela Falgun programme was organised expressing solidarity with the protesting youths at Shahbagh. With the theme of protest, the programme also demanded trial and maximum punishment of war criminals. Organisers expressed hopes of celebrating the next Pahela Falgun in a country free of war criminals.
The programme began at 7:15 in the morning with the presentation of a classical instrumental chorus, followed by recitation of poetry and rendition of Tagore songs by students of the music school, Surer Dhara. The two-hour programme also featured folk dance, a number of group dance performances, choral renditions of songs and solo performances by a number of cultural organisations and artistes. A dance group from Tripura, India also participated in the programme.
Each item of the programme was in sync with the theme of protest, and inspired the audience to do away the worn-outs and welcome the sprouting new.
Television channels aired the programme live, sponsored by mobile phone operator Banglalink.
Children were seen bursting with joy, while people from all walks of life exchanged pleasantries with their near and dear ones. Students of FFA were seen painting various motifs on the cheeks and hands of visitors. Shantanu Choudhury, in the audience, said unlike past years this Pahela Falgun is not just a celebration; rather it is a union of souls to protest injustice. This spring will revitalise the youth with the spirit of freedom -- was the collective hope.