Staff Reporter –
Piety, fun, laughter and solidarity, the typical characteristics of the Bengali community were present as its members ushered in the Bengali New Year recently.
Organised by Sarmistha- Tapas Mandal and managed by ‘@Ur Service Event Management,’ the programme was held at Western Spring Community Centre on Saturday, April 18, 2015.
Mr Mandal said that the event ushered in ‘Nabobarsho,’ Bengali New Year 1422.
The New Year festivities were second in an annual series, attended by members of the Bengali community and others amidst the spirit of peace and harmony, he said.
“The festivities were marked by people dressed in the traditional Bengali style, embellished by Handicrafts and Magazine stalls. The presence of children added value to the start of the Bengali Year,” he said.
Tagore Song
The programme commenced with ‘Eso Hey Baishak, Eso, Eso.’ Written by Rabindranath Tagore, the song evoked feeling of purity, freshness and goodwill, all of which were symbolic of the New Year, dawn of a new era.
Sung by little Rishav, the song was symbolic of the energy of the upcoming generation.
Among the other notable singers were Rani Aklima, Mousumi Biswas, Dipanjan Acharya, Pronay Roy and Rounak Giri.
Children enthral
Children formed the core of the evening with a ‘little competition’ that was a delight to watch. Brojo Podder was declared ‘Sera Babu’ (Best Male), while the ‘Sera Bouma’ (Best Female) title went to Ushmi Das.
Somdutta Saha earned the ‘Best Chef in Auckland’ title.
Release of ‘Dosor,’ the annual Bengali magazine added to the value of the programme.
-With reporting by Tapas Mandal
