After the Winter season came to an end, Basanta, the king of seasons, was welcomed on Thursday by the masses, with two separate Spring Festivals being held at the University of Dhaka, along with several other places in the country.
One of the Spring Festivals organized on Thursday, by the National Spring Festival Celebration Council, was held at DU's Faculty of Fine Arts' Bokultola. Like every year, the Council has organized the Spring Festival on the first day of Falgun according to the Bengali calendar. This is their 31st Spring Festival.
And, cultural organization Samageet's music festival, celebrating the arrival of Spring, was dedicated to the student-led mass uprising that ousted Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League regime on August 5 in the past year. Samageet held the 18th anniversary of this music festival at Bottola, located in front of the Arts Faculty building at the University of Dhaka.
The music festival opened with a classical music performance featuring violinists Bidyut Sarkar and Piyas Akbar playing raag Vrindavani Sarang. Students from Amader Pathshala followed with a colorful spring-themed dance performance.
This year's celebration included a dedicated segment honoring Professor Anu Muhammad. During the event, New Age editor Nurul Kabir reflected on student demonstrations that occurred at the same venue 42 years ago.
Professor Anu Muhammad highlighted the importance of maintaining societal diversity while combating inequality as a fundamental way to nurture love in society.
The event featured musical performances by several artists and bands, including Kafil Ahmed, Krishnokoli, Sayan, and groups such as Leela, Samageet, Ganga Phoring, Rere, Sudos on a Wrong Route, and Amoulik.
At Bokultola's Spring Festival, there were performances by various dance and music groups, solo artists, children, teenagers, and ethnic minority groups.
Additionally, there were arrangements for Basantakathan, the exchange of friendship bands, and the exchange of 'abir' (colored powder).
The Basantakathan session was presided over by the president of the National Spring Festival Celebration Council. vice president and general secretary, among others, also gave their speeches within this time period.
The National Spring Festival Celebration Council organized spring festival celebrations not only at the DU Faculty of Fine Arts but also at Bahadur Shah Park in Old Dhaka and in the Uttara area.
While the spring festival was celebrated in DU and Old Dhaka, the celebration in Uttara could not take place despite having obtained proper permissions from both the Dhaka North City Corporation and the Metropolitan Police.
After one of the organizers was accused of being an Awami League associate, there were calls to remove them from the organization. However, ultimately the festival could not be held at all in Uttara.