Cultural activists demanded that the government should announce Nabanna Utsab a national event. They raised the demand at the inaugural ceremony of two-day Nabanna Utsab 1430, which has been organised by Jatiya Nabanna Utsab Udjapan Parshad at the Bakultala at the fine arts faculty of Dhaka University in the capital, on Thursday.
The event has been organised to usher in the Bangla month of Agrahayan. The festival is featuring discussion, songs, dance recitals and recitation.
State minister for cultural affairs KM Khalid, who was present as chief guest at the inaugural ceremony, inaugurated the festival. The late Nazrul artiste Bulbul Mahalanobish’s husband Sarit Kumar Lala was present as special guest at the inaugural ceremony, which was presided over by Jatiya Nabanna Utsab Udjapan Parshad president Laila Hasan.
Jatiya Nabanna Utsab Udjapan Parshad general secretary Nayem Hasan Suja delivered the welcome speech and the parshad’s vice-president Sangeeta Imam anchored the event.
Sarit Kumar Lala said that he felt honoured as the festival had been dedicated to Bulbul Mahalanobish and said that the government should take steps to announce Nabanna Utsab a national event.
Sangeeta Imam said, ‘We organise the festival every year to spread our culture and tradition among the people living in the city. It should be announced a national event.’
Nayem Hasan Suja said, ‘We have organised the 25th edition of the festival this year. I thank all who have supported us during our journey.’
‘I would take the initiative to announce Nabanna Utsab a national event. It is celebrated across the country. I told Laila Hasan to submit a written application in this regard on Sunday,’ said KM Khalid. Artistes from children’s organisations namely Tarar Mela and Nandankuri performed at the programme.
Child artistes of Tarar Mela sang Poddo Patar Pani Noy and O Nodi Re Tui while Nandankuri artistes sang Abar Jombe Mela and Dhonno Dhonno Boli Tare.
Besides, singers of cultural troupes, namely Satyen Sen Shilpigosthi, Panchayet, Surnandan and Nrittyatari entertained the audience rendering group songs while artistes from the dance troupes, namely Spandan, Bhabna, Kathak Nritya Sampraday, Nandanik Nritya Sangathan, Nrityam, Rezwan Performing Art and others staged dance recitals at the programme.
Singers, namely Farida Parveen, Abida Rahman Setu, Nabanita Zayed Chowdhury, Ratna Sarkar, Ferdousi Kakoli, Maruf Hussain, SM Mesbah and others rendered solo songs while recitation artistes, namely, Naila Tarannum Kakoli, Fayzul Alam Pappu, Siddikur Rahman Parvez, Shimanta Sajol and others recited poems on the opening day of the event. The festival ends on Friday.
