Adivasi Cultural Festival '08 begins

Indigenous artistes perform at the Adivasi Cultural festival '08Photo: STAR

With much hope and enthusiasm, the three-day long Adivasi Cultural Festival '08 began at the Plaza of National Art Gallery, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) on March 13. Artistes of the indigenous communities of the country made an impressive demonstration of their diverse cultures on the opening day. Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD) in collaboration with Christian Aid arranged the festival. Throughout three days, sixteen indigenous cultural troupes will showcase their traditional art forms.
Noted cultural organiser Manjulika Chakma from the Chittagong Hill Tracts inaugurated the festival. Philip Gain, director of SHED gave the welcome speech at the programme.
“It is a wonderful initiative to represent the cultural diversity of the country,” said eminent litterateur Selina Hossain who was the main discussant at the programme.
The Chief of Chakma Circle, Raja Debashish Roy, who is also the special assistant to the Chief Adviser on Chittagong Hill Tracts, was the chief guest. In his speech Raja Debashish Roy said, “We would be able to provide a better understanding of the history if the contribution of the indigenous communities during the different movements were recognised.”
Professor Sakhawat Ali Khan, chairman of SEHD, presided over the programme. Tanya Haq, country representative of Christian Aid Bangaldesh and Quamrul Hasan ndc, director general of BSA were special guests.
The inauguration was followed by a cultural programme. Attired in ethnic costumes, artistes representing the Oraon, Chakma, Khasi, Chak and Rakhaing communities performed traditional dances and songs.
The programme stared with a patriotic song Etei sundar desh hamar performed by Oraon artistes. They also performed their traditional 'Wedding' and 'Karam' dance.
Chakma artistes performed the 'Biju' and 'Jhum' dance. One of the Chakma artistes also rendered a solo song.
Members of Rakhaing community rendered a patriotic song and also performed a dance.
Khashi artistes performed a group song, a dance of War and more.
Performers of the Chak community presented a patriotic song, an adhunik song and a group dance.
Cultural troupes representing the Mahali, Bwam, Tripura, Manipuri and Hajang community will showcase their songs and dances today.