Societal Events Report :A colourful cultural programme to celebrate Pahela Boishakh 1421, the Bengali New Year, organised by the Franco Bangladesh Association of Scholars and Trainees (FBAST) was held at the La Galerie of the Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) in the city’s Dhanmondi area recently. The event started with a brief speeches by Babou Kamichetty, Deputy Head of Mission of the French Embassy in Bangladesh, Dr Akramullah Sikder, President and Zilhurain Jaigirdarm, Secretary General of FBAST and the special guest of the event Olivier Litvine, Director of the AFD. Conveying Benglai New Year’s greetings to the audience, Olivier Litvine in his speech appreciated the role of FBAST for the exchange of expertise by organising international seminar/symposium on current issues for the interest of the people of this county since its establishment in 1994. The day’s cultural event started with the dance performance by Mehjabin Binte Hossen and Farhana Akter Tanjum. Thereafter singer Chandan Chowdhury sang Tumi nirmolo koro (DL Roy), Aguner poroshmoni (Tagore), Tora shob joyoddhwoni kor (Nazrul), Aj ei brishtir kanna dekhey and then singer Taslima Chumki presented some popular numbers like Meghera dol bendhey jai kon deshey (DL Roy), Moyuro konthi ratero nile, Tomar-e legechhe ato je valo songs amid huge applause of the audience.Afterward singer Anima Mukti presented some melodious folk songs including Aamar golar har khuley ne, Amai eto raat-e keno daak dili and Oki gariyal bhai koto robo ami, that followed by Tin pagoler holo mela nodey eshey and O Padma nodirey by singer Ajit Kumar. This musical performance was ably supported by Aziz (Tabla), Answar Ali (Flute) and Ajit Kumar (Dotara). The evening’s programme was wrapped up with a lively duet dance performance by Afrin Sultana Nipu and Shemonti Ahmed with the rhythms of famous Tagore song titled Rangiye diye jao playing in the backdrop. n NN Photo
