Cultural Correspondent
Amids a political unrest with arsons, teargas and firing in the capital and elsewhere in the country, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy took the venture for a nabanno festival on Sunday marking the annual harvesting of new paddy in rural Bangladesh .
There was a colourful display of various rice cakes (pitha) and sweets in makeshift set up on the open space of the Academy. Traditional songs were also performed in the cultural show at the festival attracting hundreds of enthusiastic audience, who flocked to the stalls to taste various types of delicious pithas made from the flour of the newly harvested rice.
Leading artistes and troupes presented songs, recitations and dance recitals highlighting the various aspects of harvest in the rural areas in the programme organised by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
The cultural show began with a chorus rendering of Kanna hasir dol dolano by the members of Jatio Rabindra Sangeet Sammilan Parishad, followed by BSA Repertory’s presentation of popular harvest song titled Heicha malo dhan ho.
The colourful dance recitals by Nrityalak Sangskritik Sangathan and Rewaz Performers’ School earned hearty acclaim from the audience.
Directed by Kabirul Islam Ratan, Nrityalak presented spectacular recital synchronised with the patriotic number Baje re Bangladesh-er dhol. Similarly impressive was Rewaz Performers’ School dance recital with the celebratory song Baro maser dhol.
Dance troupes Nrityakkha, Spandan, Dibya, Nandan Kala Kendra and dance artistes of BAFA also pleased the audience with their recitals.
Another attraction for the audience was the rendition by prominent Lalon singer Farida Parveen. Her soulful presentation of Lalon songs such as Kabe habe sajol barosha and Ke tomar ar jabe sathe moved the audience.
The audience also enjoyed season-based traditional song Ei nabanne ei hemante presented in chorus by Dhaka Sangskritik Dal and the solo renditions of such songs Ebar dhan katibo and Eso gai desher jayo gaan performed respectively by Abu Bakor Siddiqui and Dipty Rajbangshi.
Ravi Sankar Maitree’s recitation of Jibananada Das’ Mather Galpo was also entertaining.
Earlier, in a discussion session secretary of the cultural affairs ministry Ranjit Kumar Biswas, vice-president of Sammelito Sangskritik Jot Golam Kuddus and secretary of BSA Jahangir Hossain Chowdhury delivered speeches. Director general of Shilpakala Academy Liaquat Ali Lucky presided over the session.
