Autumn in Bengal evokes images of drifting white clouds against a deep blue sky, the pristine whiteness of Kash flowers, and the delicate fragrance of Shiuli blossoms. However, opportunities to experience nature up close in the capital are becoming increasingly scarce amid the city’s traffic congestion, towering high-rises and relentless urban rush.
For many city dwellers, the changing seasons are no longer something to witness in open fields but something to rediscover through songs, poetry and cultural celebrations – something to cherish, even if only once a year.
On Friday, however, two separate events offered Dhaka residents an opportunity to enjoy autumn festivals in the capital, where people of all ages, from cultural personalities to ordinary citizens, came together to celebrate the spirit of Sharot.
The cultural organisation Satyen Sen Shilpigosthi celebrated the traditional Sharot Utsab 1433 at the historic Shimanto Library in Old Dhaka, while Chhayanaut welcomed autumn on the premises of St Joseph Higher Secondary School in Mohammadpur, Dhaka.
A morning of melodies in Old Dhaka
Sharot Utsab began at 7:15am on Friday at the Sahara Mancha on the premises of Shimanto Library, with a sarod recital by eminent instrumental musician Shamim Zahir. The festival later unfolded as a meeting point for established artists, young performers and cultural enthusiasts, with the season’s imagery finding expression through a variety of artistic forms.
The morning programme featured discussions on autumn, an art competition for children and teenagers, music, dance, recitation and readings. The classical instrumental performances offered a contemplative beginning to a festival celebrating the beauty of the season.
The festival offered the audience Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Geeti, modern songs and folk music. Singers Makbul Ahmed, Mahadev Ghosh, Anima Roy, Ferdousi Kakoli and Ratna Sarkar performed Rabindra Sangeet, while Yasmin Mustari, Mahmudul Hasan, Sanjay Kabiraj and Nabaneeta Zaid Chowdhury Anannya presented Nazrul Geeti.
Modern and folk songs added further variety to the programme, alongside solo recitations and group performances. Nrityakkha, Spandan, Swapna Bikash Kala Kendra and Anshi performed group dances, while group singing by Satyen Sen Shilpigosthi, Nirjharani Academy and Suranandan enriched the celebration.
For children, the festival offered an opportunity to interpret autumn through their own imagination, as a drawing competition invited them to translate the familiar images of blue skies, white clouds and Kash flowers into colours on paper.
Performances by Shimanto Khelaghar Asar, Gendaria Kisholoy Kochi-Kancher Mela, Surabihar and Shilpobritto added energy to the event through group songs, recitations and a collage presentation.
Actor and theatre personality Mamunur Rashid, who attended the event, praised the arrangements and applauded the children’s participation.
“The children’s dances, songs and wonderful presentations took me back to my childhood,” he said, adding that it felt as though a little piece of autumn had descended upon the entire event.
The session also featured social worker Morshed Ahmed Chowdhury and freedom fighter Shafiur Rahman Dulu. Manzar Chowdhury Sweet, general secretary of the organising body, delivered the welcome address and read out the declaration. The event was presided over by writer, researcher and dancer Professor Dr Nigar Chowdhury.
Autumn finds a collective voice in Mohammadpur
In Mohammadpur, Chhayanaut and St Joseph Higher Secondary School jointly welcomed autumn through a programme titled “Jogo De Re Aaj Shoman Taane.” The event brought together students from four educational institutions: St Joseph Higher Secondary School, St Joseph International School and College, Excel Academy and Nalanda High School.
The programme opened with Rabindranath Tagore’s “Sharote Aaj Kon Atithi”, presented through group singing accompanied by dance. The performance set a gentle, evocative tone, bringing the imagery of autumn to life through music and movement.
Students of Nalanda High School performed “Alor Amal Kamalkhani,” followed by a group recitation of Tagore’s poem “Sharot (Aji Ki Tomar Madhur Murati).”
Students from the participating institutions and Chhayanaut artists jointly performed several seasonal songs. The programme concluded with Tagore’s “Aaj Dhaner Khete,” presented through group singing and dance.