South Asia Social Forum pledges to build a new South Asia
The five-day South Asia Social Forum (SASF) Bangladesh 2011 ended with high hopes and determination to build a new South Asia.
The event was organised on a large scale at different venues of Dhaka University (DU) campus. The closing ceremony of the event at the Shadhinota Stombho, Suhrawardy Udyan was held in the capital on November 22.
The official statement of the event was read out by World Social Forum leader Amit Sengupta. Vice Chancellor of DU, Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique, presided over the programme.
Chairman of Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation, Bangladesh, Dr. Qazi Kholiquzzaman; Chico Whitaker of Brazil; Lidy Nacpil of Philippines; Karamat Ali, Farooq Tariq and Shakila Naz of Pakistan; Dr. Keshav Khadka of Nepal; Ahmad Jardar of Palestine; Binod Rayna and Sameer Dossani of India; Chairman of Manusher Jonno Foundation, Shaheen Anam; Farah Kabir of Action Aid, Bangladesh; MB Akhter of Oxfam GB, Bangladesh; Khushi Kabir of Nijera Kori, Bangladesh along with many eminent national and international personalities were present and spoke at the closing ceremony.
A cultural programme featuring solo and choral renditions, along with vibrant dance presentations, was held at the venue. Patriotic and Baul songs dominated the repertoire.
Artistes of Udichi Narayanganj unit started with the chorus “Jai Bangla Banglar Jai”. Their performances of two Lalon numbers — “Onashey Dekhtey Pabi Kon Khaney Shai-r Baramkhana” and “Raat Pohaley Pakhi Boley Dere Khai” — were vibrant and rhythmic, and earned a round of applause.
Sameer Baul and his troupe also performed Baul songs at the event. Noted Tagore singer Rezwana Chowdhury Bonnya rendered “Aguner Poroshmoni” and “Jodi Tor Daak Shuney Keu Na Ashey”. Members of the classical based fusion band Chirkut also performed at the programme. Chirkut started off with the timeless DL Roy number “Dhono Dhanyo Pushpo Bhora”. Mahmud Selim also presented a solo at the programme.
Choreographed by Wasek and Prema, artistes of Nandan Kala Kendra and Bhabna performed dance pieces on the occasion while dancers of Spondon presented a piece, titled “Amader Jatra Holo Shuru”. Anik Basu choreographed the piece.
The highlight of the cultural event was showcasing Raibeshe, a popular and exquisite martial dance form of Bengal, by the artistes of Shadhona. Raibeshe (meaning “royal bamboo”) was used by lathiyal deployed by the feudal lords. It is believed that during the reign of Raja Protapaditya (of Jessore region), there were around 52,000 Raibeshey who performed this dance to boost the morale of soldiers. Aside from playing the Bangla dhol, dhuli (dhol player) Shafiq produced a series of bol during the performance. Amit, Biju and Arpita choreographed the much-appreciated piece.