M'singh gets in festive mood for Pahela Baishakh

As  Pahela Baishakh, the beginning of the Bangla New Year 1424 knocks at the door, students of the Fine Arts Department  of Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University (JKKNIU) in Trishal of Mymensingh are gearing up for the traditional Mongol Shobhajatra rally.

As the Mongol Shobhajatra has gained international recognition, this year's preparations are special, students said. They are working to shape traditional items like decorated pots, traditional dolls, birds, animals and musical instruments at the department premises, to add colour to the celebratory procession on campus.

Some 300 traditional masks will be included in the rally to make it more vibrant, said Nagarbasi Barman, head of Fine Arts Department. He also informed that preparations for the rally are on schedule.

The students of Fine Arts Department will also organise a fanush (sky lantern) festival, lighting lamps and fireworks on Chaitra Sankranti, the last day of the Bangla Year 1423, sources said.

A daylong programme, including traditional games and sports, plays by artistes of Natyakala (Theatre and Performance Art) Department and cultural programme by Music Department of the university is on the cards, said Professor Mohit Ul Alam, vice-chancellor of JKKNIU.

Marking the celebrations, teachers and students of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Fine Arts College in Mymensingh are also preparing for the rally, informed Mohammad Abdur Rouf, acting principal of the college.

Brahmashoili, a forum of painters in Mymensingh is also getting ready to celebrate the New Year, said artiste Hossain Farooq. Mymensingh Borshoboron Utjapon Parshad has also under taken preparations for a colourful rally marking the day. Many socio-cultural and educational institutions in the district are busy with preparations too.