Bengal's 'Phagun Shamirone' concludes

Bengal Foundation organised a spring festival titled, Phagun Shamirone, at Bengal Boi in Dhaka. The festival, featuring literary discussions, launching of books and audio CDs and live musical performances by Bangladeshi artistes and bands, concluded yesterday. Due to unavoidable circumstances, the organisers had to conclude the event yesterday, shifting the otherwise five-day festival to four days.

Based on his seven-decade long life experiences, eminent artist Rafiqun Nabi has written a book titled, Smritir Potho Rekhaye, published by Bengal Publications. The book was launched on the opening day (February 12) in the presence of Matiur Rahman, Editor of Prothom Alo, Nisar Hossain, renowned artist and Dean, Faculty of Fine Art, University of Dhaka and Moinuddin Khaled, noted art critic of the programme Alap-e Bistar-e. Later, Shoyeb and his troupe Gaanpagol performed different songs.

Renowned folk singer Rathindranath Roy recorded 10 Bhawaiya songs for the album, Dhorola Nodir Paar-e, produced by Bengal Foundation. Eminent cultural personality and journalist Kamal Lohani unveiled the album on the second day (February 13). Bengal Foundation Director General Luva Nahid Choudhury and Editor of Kali O Kalam, Abul Hasnat, were present at the launching ceremony. Rathindranath Roy later rendered several songs at the event.

(From left) Abul Hasnat, Kamal Lohani, Rathindranath Roy and Luva Nahid Choudhury at the launch of 'Dhorola Nodir Paar-e'.

Popular urban folk fusion band Joler Gaan won over the hearts of many music lovers with their popular songs on the third day (February 14) of the festival. 

The event concluded yesterday with a book launch and literary discussion. Published by Prothoma and written by Saadat Hasan Manto, the book, Kalo Seemana, translated from Urdu by Javed Hussain, was unveiled on the day. Essayist Subrata Barua and Matiur Rahman further disc ussed the aspects of the book. Bengal Publications also published another book titled, Atulprasad Sen, written by Bishwajit Ghosh, Vice- Chancellor of Rabindra Bharati Universty, Shahzadpur Siranganj. Noted singer Azizur Rahman Tuhin spoke about the book, which is the first and only publication on Atulprasad Sen from Bangladesh.