Birmingham:Bangladesh Assistant High Commission, Birmingham celebrated the “Bengali New Year 1424” on Sunday 23rd April 2017 with unprecedented glamour and grandeur.
On this occasion, the Assistant High Commission’s spectacular cultural programme along with display and serving of varieties of traditional Bangladeshi Pitha (Rice Cake) and Bangladeshi food captivated the audience in Nawab Imperial Banqueting Hall, Birmingham. Syeda Rokeya Begum, Spouse of Honorable Shipping Minister of the Government of Bangladesh, Former Lord Lieutenant of West Midlands Mr. Paul C Sabapathy, CBE, Former Ambassador Tozammel Tony Haque, Councillor Debbie Clancy, Freedom Fighter Mr. Alauddin, Mr. Kabir Uddin, Mr. Mahbub Alam Chowdhury, Mr. Washimuzzaman, Mr. Joynal Abedin, Barrister Sham Uddin and a large section of local Bangladeshi and Asian Community along with Businessmen and representatives of electronic/print media attended at the programme.
Attending the programme, the Former Lord Lieutenant Mr. Paul Sabapathy, CBE congratulated on the occasion of the Bengali New Year 1424 and lauded the role of Bangladeshi people playing in Midlands. Councillor Debbie Clancy expressed her desire to learn about Bangladesh and it’s culture. The Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Birmingham Mr. Muhammad Zulqar Nain wished to all on Bengali New Year and explained the pertinence of Bangla New Year in building and encouraging Bangladeshi nationhood and culture.
Under the musical conduct of noted artist Monwar Hossain and Yasmin Islam, the programme started with the Bangla New Year overture song “Eso he Boishakh” participated by the participating artist. Wife of Assistant High Commissioner, Mrs Afsana Bulbul alon with the wives of the officials of the Assistant High Commission also joined to this wonderful chorus. At the stunning dance performance of Riya Datta from Leicester, and Fatema-Tuz Zohra, daughter of Second Secretary of the Mission Mr. Rezaul Karim, received standing acclamation from the spell bound audience. Mr. Karim, Master Saad, Mr. Shikder Mizanur Rahman, Master Tahmid and Master Mahin performed poetry recitation. Teenagers from Nottingham – Mehdi, Rafi and Zahid brought much pleasance to the audience through their performance with Bengali parody songs. Single Koththok Dance of Surobhi and duet performance with Barrister Sham Uddin was excellent. Ms. Sithi Datta from Leicester, Ontora, Fatema, Karima performed beautiful songs which were mind-blowing.
Puthi – a traditional form of Bangladeshi ballad, by Mr. S. M. Ghulam Sarwar, Administrative and Consular Officer of the Assistant High Commission made the audience nostalgic about glorious Bangladeshi Culture and heritage. Major attraction of the day was the impressive cultural feat by young children from the Bangladeshi Community Their performance heralds promising cultural uprising within the community.
Different types of Pitha (rice cake) were displayed and served among the audience. Some of these are Seoui Pitha, Vapa Pitha, Pati Sapta Pitha, Puli Pitha, Chitoi Pitha, Pakan Pitha, Teler Pitha, Kola Pitha, Gulgula Pitha, Noon Gora and Nokshi (Design) Pitha.
The programme concluded with serving of traditional Bangladeshi Lunch.
