First dance festival in Dinajpur

A daylong colourful dance festival, marking International Dance Day was organised recently in Dinajpur. The festival was the first of its kind in the district.

The Dinajpur unit of Bangladesh Nritya Shilpi Sangtha -- an organisation of dancers -- arranged the festival at Dinajpur Shilpakala Academy.

Around 200 dancers of Dinajpur, Thakurgaon and Panchagarh performed 55 dances, including Bharatanatyam and Adivasi dances.

A discussion was also arranged, chaired by Rahmatullah, General Secretary of the organisation.

Rawnak Ara Nipa -- convener of the festival committee -- delivered the welcome speech.

The speakers were eminent local cultural personality Anwarul Islam Tanu, Kazi Borhan, Nurul Motin Saikat, Rezaur Rahman Rezu, Professor Safar Ali, Md. Safiqul Haque, Tarequzzaman Tarek, Sunil Majumder and Rabiul Awal Khoka.

Nipa Sheth, convener of Dinajpur Nritya Shilpi Sangtha said that the festival received a very good response from cultural organisations and the audience.

The dancers, speakers and audience observed one minute silence for the victims of the Savar tragedy.

Other dances organisations that participated in the festival were Dinajpur Adivasi Samaj Unnyan Samity, Nirtya Bitan, Naborupi, Dinajpur Shilpaka Academy, Bairabi, Suhari Sanggit Niketan, Udichi, Ta-Thoi, Agnila Nritya Niketan and Priganj Nritya Shikkha Kendra of Thakurgaon.