Bagbazar recently witnessed a three-day-long summer carnival to celebrate the Bengali New Year. Organised by Mindshaft Media Pvt Ltd, My Kolkata was the digital partner of the event named ‘Fortune presents Poila Parbon – Poila Kintu Ekla Noy’
Photographs by by Arnab Dutta and Mindshaft Media Pvt LtdThe event took place at the Baghbazar Sarbojanin Durgotsav ground from April 12 to 14. Kolkatans from various parts of the city came together to celebrate Poila Baisakh
Poila Parbon also paid tribute to 100 years of comics with Tintin, Captain Haddock and other popular comic characters painted on various photo booths
The event was inaugurated by poet-lyricist Srijato, actor Bhaswar Chatterjee, television and film actress Sonali Chaudhuri, designer Rini Seal and others
The inauguration was followed by the first ‘adda chakra’ of the three-day-long programme, where Srijato, Bhaswar and others exchanged notes on Ghoti versus Bangal. The ‘adda chakra’ was named ‘Banglar Bagh’, where Bagh stood for Bangal and Ghoti
Baishakher Sera Paribar, an interesting face-off, happened between culturally inclined families, where family members came together to perform a song, a dance, a skit or a stand-up gig
Poila Parbon also brought together school and college students of Kolkata. Several college music bands participated in the band competition that took place on April 12
From classical to fusion, the dance performances by young talents captured the attention of the audience
College students also participated in a fashion show where they went creative — amalgamating tradition and innovation
The carnival venue had several food stalls along with shopping knick-knacks that highlight the culinary heritage and the cultural treasure trove of Bengal. Food stalls were set up by popular names such as Nalin Chandra Das and Sons and Mitra Cafe along with other eateries
From dokra to wooden owls, gamchha dresses to wooden artefacts, the shopping section had stalls by artisans from various corners of Bengal
The beats of Baul music and tribal dance kept the audience engaged too
While each day of the event culminated with band performances from Durnibar and other musicians on day one, the folk band Dohar on day two, the grand finale paid a tribute to 50 years of Mohiner Ghoraguli. Anindya Chatterjee, Sidhu, Soumitra Ray and other noted names wrapped the event on a musical note