Thousands are celebrating the Pohela Falgun, kicking off the first quarter of festivities in 2016, on the Dhaka University premises on Saturday. Clad in yellow, orange and other bright colours that symbolise the Spring, the people are in line for welcoming Falgun with a myriad of flowers, poems, songs and dances. The day is the first day of the Bengali month Falgun marking the beginning of the Spring season by setting a tune for happiness, love and warmth. As the winter leaves have been evolved by nature, the Spring’s flowers such as shimul, polash, marigold are being worn by women, who adorn themselves with ‘Bashonti’ clothing – mostly in yellow, orange and red. Dhaka University has always been the cultural heartbeat of the city since time immemorial, hence it is the venue for all cultural celebration, and Pohela Falgun this year is no different. ‘I always make it a point to bring my family here to welcome Falgun,’ said Maher, a 35-year-old banker coming from Banani. “It feels good to celebrate the coming of the Spring in such a big crowd, as our children usually cannot witness such grand celebrations any other time of the year.” Jatiya Boshonto Utshab Udjapon Parishad-1422, in association with Grameenphone, is organising cultural programmes across the capital, commencing with the first phase of celebrations at 7:30am at Bakultala, in Faculty of Fine Arts (better known as Charukola), the usual hub of festivities. Beginning with a sarangi recital by Motiar Hossain, the programme featured noted music and dance schools Surer Dhara, Sur Saptak, Nritya Nandan, Dhriti, Bhabna, Turongomi, and Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts (BAFA). This was followed by musical performances by Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya, Ferdous Ara, Laisa Ahmed Lisa and poetry recitations by Bhashwar Bandopadhyay and Golam Sarwar, among others. The second phase of the programmes will begin at 3:30pm at Bakultala, Bahadurshah Park at Laxmibazar in Old Dhaka, and Rabindrasarobar at Dhanmondi. Currently coinciding with the Ekushey Boi Mela, business is about to pick up for book sellers and other vendors alike. ‘I expect a hike in sales at our stall by evening,’ said Amin, a publisher at the fair premises. He said the surge of people will boost revenue for his books, counting his lucky stars as it is Saturday. Band concerts are being held at various points of the campus, where a larger crowd is being anticipated later in the afternoon. Different private universities and colleges have also arranged programmes, marking the day. — Dhaka, Feb 13 (UNB)
