Celebration
Nabanna Utsav in the metropolitan
City dwellers get the taste of the century-old tradition
Kausar Islam Ayon
Bangladesh has an age-old rich cultural heritage. Nabanna, the festival of new harvest is celebrated by the rural people across the country during the Bangla month of Agrahayan (Nov-Dec). This rich tradition was almost going into oblivion in the cities of Bangladesh. Jatio Nabanna Utsab Udjapan Parshad took initiatives to hold the Nabanna Utsab since 1406 of the Bangla calendar year. The organisation arranged a grand daylong Nabanna Utsab 1410 yesterday at the Bakul Tala of the Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka University.The celebration of the Nabanna Utsab in Dhaka has already created great enthusiasm among people of all classes. The programme began with classical and folk tunes in flute accompanied by tabla by Murtaja Kabir Murad and Tulshi Saha. Veteran Poet Shamsur Rahman inaugurated the festival while prominent cultural personalities like Mamunur Rashid, Kazi Modina, Mahmud Selim, Hasina Momtaz and many others attended the programme. Shubha Rahman gave the note of thanks. People in Bangladesh, have been celebrating Nabanna for centuries mainly in the rural areas. Celebration begins soon after harvesting of the crops. Farmers return home with loads of golden paddy on their head. There is joy everywhere, the children frisk in the yard as the cattle go round and round thrashing the paddy, separating it from the stalks. The daylong colourful programme was enhanced by folk songs, Pala-gaan and Kirton, songs of Hason Raja, Rabindranath and Nazrul Islam along with those of present times followed by dances. Mangal Chandra Mandal and his troupe presented Pala Kirton and entertained the audience. A colourful rally and a painting competition for children also took place as a part of the celebration. The festival surely gave the city dwellers a unique opportunity to spend their weekly holiday in a festive mood. Many of them came with their family with a view to introducing the new generation with their cultural roots. The spectators had the opportunity to enjoy the many rural delicacies like pithas, muri, khoi, khir etc. sold at the small stalls at the venue. In the evening the audience enjoyed Baul songs and other cultural sessions featuring songs, recital of poems and dances. The programme ended with the national anthem at about 9:00pm.
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Girls performing dance during the celebration of Nabanna, the festival of the new harvest, in the city. Photo: AFP |