Ode to the seasons of Bangladesh

Artistes of Banhishikha sing at the musical programme. Photo: Mumit M.

From time immemorial, this land has been known for its diversity -- that diversity is reflected in every aspect of life including the seasons. In six seasons -- Grishmo (summer), Barsha (monsoon), Sharat (autumn), Hemanto (late autumn), Sheeth (winter) and Bashonto (spring) -- the nature of Bangladesh takes on new hues, new appearances. The changes in nature and the way the people of this delta celebrate the seasons have inspired the poets. Rabindranath wrote: "Jagater majhey koto bichitro tumi hey, tumi bichitro-roopini..."
Cultural organisation Banhishikha arranged a musical programme titled "Chhoy Ritur Gaan" on June 26 at the Shawkat Osman auditorium, Central Public Library. The programme, with the theme "Phirey chal matir taaney", featured folk songs on nature and life in the different seasons. Guest artistes Ajit Roy, Fahim Hossain Chowdhury, Iffat Ara Nargis and Rupa Chowdhury also sang at the programme.
Noted cultural personality and President of Sammilito Sanskritik Jote, Nasiruddin Yousuff and Golam Kuddus, president of Banhishikha spoke prior to the performances.
Artistes of the organisation -- Alaul Haque, Abida Rahman, Urmi Haldar, Sharmin Khan, Aminul Islam, Salahuddin Shohag, Mehedi Hasan, Zakir Hossain, Sifat Jahan, Sabia Sabrin, Sunayana Siddiq and Rupu Khan -- presented choral renditions of songs that delineated the uniqueness of nature and its influences on life in rural Bengal.
"Esho Baishakh tomaye ami korilam boron" and "Dakchhey pakhi nobo Baishakhey" highlighted the hopes and aspirations from a new year as summer begins.
"Aasharh mash-er brishtirey" narrated a village wife's yearning during the monsoon for her husband living in some distant land. Flashes of lightning induces some unknown concern for her beloved. "Eitho Aasharho mash-e naag-eri garjan" addressed the fear of venomous snakes coming out of their holes in the monsoon. Snakebites are quite common in the villages in this season.
"Haawa-batash nirob hoilo Bhadro na mash-e" and "Lokey boley mora kathi" described the serenity in nature in autumn and the changed reality of Hemanto, also known as the season of harvest, respectively. The festivities of Nabanno now perhaps exist only in the farmers' memories. Hardship, ailments and frustration chase away the fleeting bliss of the season.
Vegetables, fish, rice cakes, namely food in abundance marks winter and that aspect was highlighted in the song "Poush-e bao pahaari, matth-e natun tarkari".
The resuscitation of flora and fauna in spring, as chilly wind is replaced by warmth, was described in the song "Aar sheeth-er haawa nai deshey".
Rupu Khan was in charge of music direction. The narration was written by Golam Kuddus.