Pahela Baishakh message

However, we are not in the best of mood as we greet the new Bangla year. It is with a growing trepidation that the nation is looking at the way the two major political parties are about to lock their horns. The premonition of an imminent bout of physical confrontation is hard to shake off. Yet, one can only hope for a break, a shoring up of the politics of negativity latching on the Pahela Baishakh ambience of festivity and celebration. Just as entrepreneurs look forward to a better deal, farmers to a good harvest and traders to brisk business in a new year so must the politicians find themselves in a positive frame of mind.

Pahela Baishakh lays emphasis on homogeneity, secular harmony and unity in society. Threat to such values increases as obscurantism doesn't even stop short of maligning all that stands for Bangali culture. The day is also the harbinger of the new marking the sweeping away of the old, stale and worn out. Its another powerful message that politicians and non-politicians alike must pay heed to.

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Our rich arts and culture are not only entertaining but also a stimulus for creative faculties to blossom -- based on greater love for the country. These can also help propel rapid national development and enhance country's image abroad. Of course, we should aim at industrial growth and agricultural breakthrough, but we have untapped potential in the area of arts and culture waiting to be realised as an image-builder. If we want to make our place in the world, culture is the route for it.

We have rich traditions in music, dance, dramas and plays. Though our folk culture is radiant with unique diversity and variety of forms and wealth of human emotions, it is a low priority promotional agenda as far as we can see. We are yet to have a modern theatre stage, although this branch of performing art has advanced a lot here. We have Chhayanaut, Bulbul Academy and Nazrul Academy. Whenever they organise functions and competitions, flashes of new promise are seen on stage. But what is being really done to groom them up as accomplished artistes is anybody' guess. There is a glaring lack of sustained efforts beyond tokenism, largely because of poor resource allocation rooted in low prioritisation of culture. This gap needs filling.

Shuvo Nababarsha !