Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

Swami Vivekananda's Birthday: Sovabazar Rajbari: At 2pm Swamiji's birthday and in memory of Chicago speech a programme presented by Shankha Ghosh, Srijata, Joy Goswami, Shankar etc. Organiser - Ritabak. Ramkrishna Mission (Golpark): Swami Vivekananda Music Festival (9am-8:15pm). Misc. - Baguiati Sports Council: Exotic bird exhibition (2pm-7pm) upto 14th January'18. Pithe-Puli Utsav (পিঠে-পুলি উৎসব): At Rajdanga Maath, organised by Rajdanga Club Samannay (রাজডাঙ্গা ক্লাব সমন্বয়) upto 16th January'18.

The historical Raas utsav of Nabadwip observed peacefully. Today is the rally or 'arang' (আড়ং) in the town and for the first time, the electric supply would be unaffected as the underground power supply is functioning there.            The variety of idols of god & goddesses at Nabadwip is the main feature of this festival. Vaishnab, Shakta, Buddhist (বৈষ্ণব, শাক্ত, বৌদ্ধ), - all the idols are part of worship here. The Raas utsav here is famous with other names like Raas Purnima, Raas Kali Puja, Pat Purnima (পট পূর্ণিমা) etc. Some people call it 'Shakta Raas' (শাক্ত রাস). Who founded this festival and when, - the information is unavailable. But it is sure that it was initiated in post-Chaitanya period.              Bada Shyama (বড় শ্যামা), Mejo Shyama (মেজ শ্যামা), Chhoto Shyama (ছোট শ্যামা), Shob-Shiba (শব শিবা), Elane Kali (এলানে কালী), Muktakeshi (মুক্তকেশী), Bhubaneswari of Boral...

Yesterday, 'Kavi Milan Utsav' was celebrated at Ranaghat of Bengal, as usual, gorgeously. It was observed at the office of SDO, Ranaghat. On 4 September, 1894 Rabindranath Tagore came to Ranaghat on request of another poet Nabin Chandra Sen who was the then SDO of Ranaghat. Tagore was going to Kusthia (now in Bangladesh), so he halted at Ranaghat on the way. On this day, Rabindranath came to the office of SDO, Ranaghat. Since then, the day is being observed by the residents of Ranaghat at the same place, where the two poets met. Here in this picture, the statues of two poets are seen garlanded at the office premises. A literary function was also held on this occasion. -- A. B.

Tagore's Shantiniketan celebrated today the Holi or Dol Utsav as Vasant Utsav or festival of spring at Ashram Maath. So many tourists witnessed the function since early morning with much enthusiasm. The programme started with prayer and then the musical dance of 'Vasant' staged there following 'aabir khela'. Local rural artists performed with baul songs before the camera of media. The crowd enjoyed the whole day very much in a festiv mood. Also the celebrities like 'Saheb' of Kolkata enjoyed the utsav with colours. The dance-drama of Tagore 'Mayar Khela' would be staged there at the evening. -- A. B.

Today is Dol Purnima, the day on which Sri Krishna plays holi with Sri Radha and other gopika's. The festival of colours gets its true meaning by the celebrations with Radha-Krishna. The people of India enjoy the festival in a traditional way like the days of mythical Radha-Krishna. -- A. B.

Students of Rabindra Bharati Josasanko campus celebrated Holi - the Vasant Utsav of colours yesterday with traditional joy and happiness. Courtesy: ABP -- A. B.

The 4-day long Vasant Utsav at Shantiniketan this year would be more tourist-friendly. One of the problem the tourists with family usually face is the drinking water. Inside the premises of Viswa-Bharati, there are not so many sources of drinking water. So, for the first time, pouch pack of drinking water (like Book Fair of Kolkata) will be supplied mainly to the childrens and women. The drinking water supply car of municipality shall also be there. -- A. B.

In the year 1922, on this day, Rabindranath Tagore established Sriniketan - the rural centre for folk culture and cultivation of rural activities, near Shantiniketan. Today, 6 February, to mark the foundation day, the festival of folk culture organised at Sriniketan, where tribal dancers of rural Bengal performed beautiful dance programmes. Moreover, stalls decorated with rural handicrafts and functions of folk culture are the other attractions of Sriniketan Utsav. -- A. B.

Digha Beach Festival Mandarmani Udaypur 2012 Attractions: - West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the Samudra Utsav (Beach Festival) 2012 at Udaypur Beach this evening, which is just 4Km far from New Digha. All the sea beaches from Udaypur to Mandarmani including Digha, Tajpur all are decorated for Festival. Food Stalls containing sea foods, & other delicious foods, various cultural programs will be organized and an exclusive firework exhibition will also took place at Digha Sea Beach Festival 2012. Most importantly, to attract more tourists to Digha, Mandarmani beaches, from now on Water Sports will be available at Digha- Mandarmani Beach. Rose Valley took the initiative to produce Water Sport Boats and brought two expert Water Sport players from Goa.

Bangladesh Festival in Kolkata from 16 December 2011 at the premises of Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner. Eminent singers of Bangladesh and Kolkata will perform Rabindra Sangeet and Nazrulgeeti. Popular and precious saris of Bangladesh, like Dhakai Jamdani, Tangail tant, maslin etc will be exhibited this year also for sale. And special food items of Bangladesh, like Kachchi biriyani, Bhuni khichuri and various items of Ilish (Hilsa) will be there invariably. -- A. B.