A joint cultural programme by artistes of Bangladesh and India was held on Sunday morning at the zero-line here at Hakimpur upazila of Dinajpur district to celebrate 'Bashonto Utshab' (spring festival). The aim of the programme was to strengthen the bond between the two neighbouring countries.
The two-and- half hour cultural programme went down very well with the thousands of people from Bangladesh and India who had gathered there.
'E-par Bangla O-par Bangla Bashonto Utshab', organised by Bhasha O Shangskriti, West Bengal of India, was an endeavour to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore. The programme included Tagore songs, dances and recitation.
A small stage was erected at the zero line in the border area for the event. The programme started with an instrumental recital by an Indian artiste.
At around 8am the border security guards of both countries opened the borders, and the artistes of both countries joined hands to celebrate the event.
The entire programme was arranged without any prior rehearsal. At least 100 artistes of Bangladesh and India performed at the programme. Of them, 40 artistes of Shantiniketan and Rabindra Bharati and tiny tots of various schools and colleges of India also gave performances.
After performing a Rabindra Sangeet, Shoraj Chatterjee from Shantiniketan told this correspondent that his experience at the programme had been simply amazing.
The organiser and border security personnel of both countries said that if the concerned ministries of both countries took the initiative, such programmes could be held on a large scale every year.
The programme concluded with a choral rendition of the Tagore song, “Rangiye Diye Jao”, performed by artistes of India and Bangladesh. The song was accompanied with 'rong khela' (playing with colours) at the zero-line.
News Source: The Daily Star