Small Talk

Royal Bengal in town
The Empress Garden came alive on Sunday,as Bengali cultural associations from all over the city descended to celebrate Basant Utsav 2010. The event,which was organised by the Bangiya Sanskriti Samsad,featured performances by 90 dancers,who danced to songs rendered by more than 60 singers,in Phul Phagune Ranger Nesha, a series of songs from the repertoire of legendary poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. Basant Utsav is a celebration that welcomes the season of spring,and represents the verve and joy that goes with it. As the occasion also marked the 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore,a series of songs composed by him were also performed. Renowned Manipuri danseuse Darshana Zaveri,who was the chief guest for the function,said,“I am extremely happy and honoured to be here on this momentous occasion of Basant Utsav,and feel fortunate to be able to pay my tribute to Tagore,who was one of the first promoters of Manipuri dance.” Zaveri performed an excerpt from Bhanusingher Padabali,a dance-drama written by Tagore. Keeping with the theme of love for nature,the Samsad organised the plantation of two saplings brought from Shantiniketan,the famous school started by Tagore. The saplings were planted in the Empress Garden grounds by Zaveri and music director Shantanu Moitra,of 3 Idiots and Parineeta fame. Well-known Bharatnatyam exponent Parimal Phadke was also felicitated at the function,and performed with his troupe in front of a rapt audience. “This is a festival of joy,and we try to celebrate it in the way Tagore intended,promoting unity and harmony in society,” said Sharmila Majumdar,secretary of the Bangiya Sanskriti Samsad.