Bengal Cultural Festival celebrates music, dance, and cuisine

Nagpur hosted the Bengal Cultural Festival, celebrating the diverse culture of Bengal. The two-day event took place at Chitnavis Centre and attracted many enthusiastic visitors eager to enjoy music, dance, and food. The festival began with a musical tribute titled "Essence of Bengal in Hindi Film Music." Sharmistha Jha performed classic songs influenced by Bengali folk and classical music. The audience appreciated her heartfelt renditions, including famous tracks from Bollywood. A highlight of the evening was the celebration of Basanta Utsav, or the spring festival. Dancers dressed in yellow sarees performed traditional dances inspired by Rabindranath Tagore's poetry. Their graceful movements symbolized the joy of Holi, capturing the spirit of the festival beautifully. The festival also featured a Hindi play, "Maa Mujhe Tagore Bana De," which explored a young boy's dream to be like Tagore. It tackled themes of creativity against societal pressures, leaving a significant impact on spectators. To conclude the evening, Tirtha Bhattacharjee and her group performed Bhatiyali folk music. Their songs evoked the life and emotions of riverbank communities in Bengal, taking the audience on a serene journey. Food stalls offered delicious Bengali dishes, ranging from savory items like mutton kosha and fish chops to sweet treats like rosogolla and sitabhog. Attendees praised the authentic flavors and enjoyed the culinary variety. Organizers from the Bengali Association expressed gratitude for the festival's success. Attendees, like Gayatri Bhattacharya, felt it was a cultural homecoming. The festival promises more engaging activities on its second day, including discussions and traditional puppetry.