Feature

Celebrating Pahela Baishakh
IFA Masterminds Behind the Scene

Md.Naibur Rahman Uupol

PHOTO: STAR

Let's imagine a Pahela Baishakh without the famous parade or rally known as Mongol Shova Jatra (Good Luck Journey), or a situation when you are all set wearing your new Panjabi or red and white Saari but you do not know where to go, where to join for participating in the celebration of life. Stop Thinking! There are always some people who will not let you think or imagine like that. Yes, I am talking about those warriors of Culture who are living with legacy of celebrating Pahela Baishakh. This year students of 9th batch of Institute of Fine Arts (IFA), University of Dhaka (DU) successfully shouldered the responsibility of doing something different, something extravagant.

On the eve of the day, I had visited Charukala to see up close how the students brought to life various traditional motifs with the touch of their deft fingers. Jyonto Kumar Talukder, a final year student of IFA, DU and member of Baishakh Celebration Committee, was found busy at the entrance of IFA. But his smile showed how contented he was with his work. All the materials of the exhibition like Shora Painting (painting on clay pot), Paper painting, t-shirt and scarf were exhibited for sell or more specifically for raising funds to meet the expenses of the event of Pahela Baishakh. “The preparation had begun from 25th March. As we always do it with our own fund, which ultimately lead us to do it with our very own style, so we prefer to start a little bit early with our best effort. Unless you feel lucky or enthusiastic to be a part of making, you just can't give your best”. Jyonto found himself in extreme opposition when it comes to making the event commercial in the name of “Branding”. He rather believes “We are very patriotic and are concerned about the true essence of the tradition.”

Habib Munna, another final year student of IFA, was found working in a room making paper masks. “We are planning to make at least 1200 masks (of all types) for the big rally.” He said. Shishir Bhattacharya, a renowned artist and faculty of IFA, shared his thoughts with the writer. “We, the faculty members, are now not directly involved but we are giving necessary assistance because we believe in them and their talent.” He commented that it was essential for the people to promote and nurture age-old heritage, tradition and culture in every phase of life. When I asked him about the possible new dimension in celebrating Pahela Baishakh this year, he said with a smile, “Hopefully cooler temperature”.

A very special thank you to IFA and other organisations who were directly or indirectly involved in this celebration. Thank you for infusing the lessons of art, culture and heritage in everyone.

(The writer is a DU Correspondent of Star Campus)