Baishakhi festivities go on apace

A colourful rally in Tangail paraded the main streets of the town. Photo: STAR

A 'Barsho-boron Probhati' programme was held at Judge Court Compound in Thakurgaon on the first day of the Bangla year 1416.
Thakurgaon Nikkon Sangeet Bidyalay has been organising the programme at the venue every year since 1998. The programme was initiated in 1964 by Nikkon and was previously held at the Thakurgaon Public Club premises.
As daylight broke, notes of 'shanai' filled the air and renowned classical artiste Babar Ali rendered a 'Khayal.' A choral rendition of the Rabindra Sangeet, "Natun pran dao, prano shokha aaji shuprobhatey" followed.
General secretary of the school, Advocate Balaram Guha Thakurata and executive director of ESDO, Muhammad Shahid-Uz-Zaman, spoke on the occasion.
The programme featured renditions of 'pancho kabir gaan', 'kirtan,' folk and 'adhunik' Bangla songs and recitation. The programme ended with instrumentals.
People from all walks of life attended the programme. Local social and cultural organisations chalked out several programmes to celebrate the Bangla New Year.

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Amanur Aman, Kushtia
Different socio-cultural organisations celebrated Pahela Baishakh in Kushtia. The programme included rally, discussion, cultural show and various events including sports related to the Bengali tradition. Kushtia municipality authority arranged the biggest programme --the 'Grameen Mela' at the municipality ground. Different organisations jointly took part in it. At a discussion chaired by Municipality Mayor Anwar Ali, Prof. Sudeen Lahiri; M. Maniruzzaman; Advocate Lalim Haque and Dr. Sarwar Murshed also delivered speeches.
Kushtia Udichi, Shilpakala Academy, Shaily Academy and Parimol Theatre organised separate programmes in the town.
District administration arranged a cultural show at Kushtia Circuit House. Officials of district administration, police and their family members took part in it.

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Kongkon Karmaker, Dinajpur
'Pahela Baishakh' celebrations kicked off in Dinajpur, Panchagarh and Jaipurhat with grand public programmes, processions and street theatre performances.
Baishakhi Udjapan Parishad, Dinajpur organised a weeklong 'Baishakhi Mela' at Dinajpur Central Shaheed Minar on the occasion. The 'mela' was inaugurated by Md. Iqbalur Rahim, lawmaker of Dinajpur-3. Udichi, Dinajpur held a cultural programme at Dinajpur Institute premises to usher in the year 1416.
Md. Abdul Jalil, deputy commissioner of Dinajpur, inaugurated the programme at Dinajpur Institute premises while Md. Abu Kalam Siddique, police superintendent of Dinajpur, was present as special guest.
Besides, different social and cultural organisations held programmes at their respective institutes to celebrate the New Year.
Traders and entrepreneurs of the districts opened new ledgers that day, an age-old tradition that is still honoured.

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Our Correspondent, Jhenidah
'Pahela Baishakh 1416' was observed in Jhenidah with 'Mangal Shobhajatra' (rally) carrying colourful festoons and placards and wearing masks. In the morning Sammilito Sangskritik Jote, Ankor and Bihango Natya academy brought out rallies that paraded the main roads of the town.
The celebrations also included recitation, dress as you like, 'lathi khela,' kite flying contest, dances and more.
Artistes performed at the old DC Court complex. Many had face paintings and heartily joined in the celebration with having 'panta' and hilsa fish on the day.

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Mirza Shakil, Tangail
'Pahela Baishakh 1416' was celebrated in Tangail in a traditional atmosphere.
Different government, non-government and socio-cultural organisations in the district organised various programmes to celebrate the day.
In the morning, a colourful rally brought out by the Tangail district administration paraded the main streets of the town.
A seven-day 'Baishakhi Mela' was organised at Shaheed Smriti Poura Udyan in the town. A three-day competition on music, dance and poetry recitation for children was organised by Tangail Shishu Academy at the same venue.
A vibrant cultural programme was held at Tangail Shaheed Minar premises in the evening.
Earlier, a traditional horse race was held at Ballukandi area in the town. Tangail Municipality organised the race where around 70 horses from different upazilas of Tangail and adjacent Mymensingh and Jamalpur districts took part.
Tangail lawmaker Sadar Abul Kashem attended the race and handed prizes among the winners as chief guest.
Among others, Tangail Deputy Commissioner Maksudur Rahman Patwari; Superintendent of Police Mizanur Rahman; Tangail additional deputy commissioner (general) K.M. Tariqul Islam and Tangail Municipality Mayor Jamilur Rahman Miron attended the event.