Pahela Baishakh celebrations knocking at the door

The students of Fine Arts Department of Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University are busy with last minute preparations to celebrate  Pahela Baishakh, Bangla New Year 1425.

Celebrations are knocking at the door, so we have to prepare for the traditional Mongol Shobhajatra rally, said the students.

As previous years, the rally will feature natural and traditional elements of rural Bengal. The Mongol Shobhajatra has received international recognition so we have to make sure the rally is exceptional, they said.

To make the rally more flamboyant, an image of 100-metre long crocodile will be included this year, said Mahbubur Rahman Razib, as senior student of the department.

Different traditional items like decorated pots, traditional dolls, birds, animal including horse, hare and different musical instruments are being made at the department premises, the students said.

A phanush (sky lantern) festival, lighting lamps and fireworks marking Chaitra Sankranti, the last day of the Bengali Year 1424 will also be organised by the students of Fine Arts Department, sources said.

Seven palas on the traditional culture of South Khulna region will be staged marking Chaitra Sankranti. The palas are scripted and directed by Dipankar Bairagi, an MFA student of the department. 

Meanwhile, a nine-member committee has been formed for the celebration with Nagarbasi Barman, head of Fine Arts Department as its convener and Emdadur Rashed, an Assistant Professor of the department as member secretary.

A day long programme, including arranging of traditional games and sports, staging of drama by the artistes of Theatre and Performance Art Department and cultural function by Music Department of the university has been undertaken, JKKNIU sources said.

Students of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Fine Arts College in Mymensingh are also immersed in preparations to welcome the New Year, along with a cultural show, according to Mohammad Abdur Rouf, acting principal of the college.

Brahmashoili, a forum of painters in Mymensingh, will organise a painting and craft work exhibition at town's Zainul Park to celebrate the day, said artist Hossain Farooq.

Besides, Mymensingh Borshoboron Utjapon Parshad and  different socio-cultural and educational institutions in the district are doing their part to celebrate the day.