Md Mosabbir Ali, Kulaura (M’bazar) :
Ras Utsab is the main festival of the Monipuri society. The ‘Moha Ras Lila’ festival of the Manipuri community of Kamalganj Upazila in Moulvibazar district has started on 23rd November. People thronged the festival venue and they are enjoying the nightlong programmes. This will the 176th celebration.
The festival is held each year during Purnima (full moon), between the Bangla months of late Kartik and early Agrahayan. This year, around one lakh people from across the country gathered at the Monipuri populated Madhabpur and Adampur villages of Kamalganj.
The message of the Moha Ras Lila is “Peace, harmony and humanism”.
According to the organisers, Raja Bhagyachandra, king of Monipur was introduced first. Moulvibazar “Jora Mondop” (Manipuri temple) of Madhabpur village began Mela in 1842 outside of Monipur.
The Ras Lila festival celebrates the boyhood of Lord Sri Krishna. In Shibbazar “Jora Mondop” (Manipuri temple) of Madhabpur village, the major venue of Moha Ras Lila, the programme began with a presentation of “Gustha Lila” (farmer-boy dance). Several Monipuri boys made up as “Gopal” (the young Krishna) and his “Sokha” (friends), performed dances to the beat of musical instruments.
The raja of Monipur, Maharaj Jaysingh introduced Ras Mela to Monipuri society. Since the mid-nineteenth century when the Monipuris settled in Bangladesh, this fair has been observed at Madhabpur, Moulvibazar district.
Saym Singha, General Secretary of Moha Ras Lila Seba Sangha told this correspondent the love trysts of Krishna and Radha are enacted through Monipuri music and dance drama. Crowds of viewers, including foreigners, throng the place to see the fair.
Besides, Ras Lila, a discussion, reception, presentation of martial arts, handicraft fair and other cultural events will also held.
All of Monipuri families are working to clean their houses to welcome Ras Utsab. To celebrate the festival celebration, rural youth plays the vital the role- said Hemonto Kumar Singha, member secretary of Adampur Moharas Lila Udjapon committee. The occasion gives immense pleasure among the Monipuri in every family.
Mohammad Shahjalal, police super of Moulvibazar told this correspondent that members of law enforcing agencies including Rapid Action Battalion and police had been deployed in the entire Kamalganj and the venue of the festival to ensure security.
As part of security measures, additional policemen were deployed around the area as per orders from the high ups, he added.
Ras Utsab is the main festival of the Monipuri society. The ‘Moha Ras Lila’ festival of the Manipuri community of Kamalganj Upazila in Moulvibazar district has started on 23rd November. People thronged the festival venue and they are enjoying the nightlong programmes. This will the 176th celebration.
The festival is held each year during Purnima (full moon), between the Bangla months of late Kartik and early Agrahayan. This year, around one lakh people from across the country gathered at the Monipuri populated Madhabpur and Adampur villages of Kamalganj.
The message of the Moha Ras Lila is “Peace, harmony and humanism”.
According to the organisers, Raja Bhagyachandra, king of Monipur was introduced first. Moulvibazar “Jora Mondop” (Manipuri temple) of Madhabpur village began Mela in 1842 outside of Monipur.
The Ras Lila festival celebrates the boyhood of Lord Sri Krishna. In Shibbazar “Jora Mondop” (Manipuri temple) of Madhabpur village, the major venue of Moha Ras Lila, the programme began with a presentation of “Gustha Lila” (farmer-boy dance). Several Monipuri boys made up as “Gopal” (the young Krishna) and his “Sokha” (friends), performed dances to the beat of musical instruments.
The raja of Monipur, Maharaj Jaysingh introduced Ras Mela to Monipuri society. Since the mid-nineteenth century when the Monipuris settled in Bangladesh, this fair has been observed at Madhabpur, Moulvibazar district.
Saym Singha, General Secretary of Moha Ras Lila Seba Sangha told this correspondent the love trysts of Krishna and Radha are enacted through Monipuri music and dance drama. Crowds of viewers, including foreigners, throng the place to see the fair.
Besides, Ras Lila, a discussion, reception, presentation of martial arts, handicraft fair and other cultural events will also held.
All of Monipuri families are working to clean their houses to welcome Ras Utsab. To celebrate the festival celebration, rural youth plays the vital the role- said Hemonto Kumar Singha, member secretary of Adampur Moharas Lila Udjapon committee. The occasion gives immense pleasure among the Monipuri in every family.
Mohammad Shahjalal, police super of Moulvibazar told this correspondent that members of law enforcing agencies including Rapid Action Battalion and police had been deployed in the entire Kamalganj and the venue of the festival to ensure security.
As part of security measures, additional policemen were deployed around the area as per orders from the high ups, he added.
