RANGPUR, Dec 11, 2021 (BSS) - The 'Nabanno Utsab' (a traditional festival

of the Bangalees) was celebrated at Kalapara village in Chandanpat union of
Sadar upazila here enthralling tens of thousands of rural people on Friday
afternoon.

  The festival is celebrated in the Bengali month of 'Agrahayan' for time
immemorial bringing a message of unbridled joy in Bengali life centering on
harvesting of new paddy and eating of 'pitha-puli' (cakes) prepared using the
first rice of that paddy.

  However, in the evolution of time, the festival is now on the verge of
extinction.

  That is why the district administration has organized 'Nabanno Utsab' in a
colorful way to highlight this thousand year old culture of Bangalees.

  Under the initiative of the district administration, Sadar upazila
administration with assistance of Chandanpat union chairman Md. Amenur Rahman
organized the festival to let the new generations know the heritage and
culture of this delta.

   From time immemorial, the Bangalees irrespective of caste, creed and
religion have been celebrating the 'Nabanno Utsab' which is aligned with
Bengali history, tradition and culture.

  Marking the festival, various events, including threshing of newly
harvested Aman paddy using traditional wooden 'Dheki', cutting of Aman paddy,
journey by bullock carts, horse race and 'lathi khela' (stick games) were
arranged there.

  Around this 'Nabanno Utsab', rural women, housewives and young girls
prepared traditional cakes, 'muri' (puffed rice), 'murki' (puffed rice
covered with molasses) and the dancers danced and sang with visitors.

   At the beginning of the festival, Deputy Commissioner Md. Asib Ahsan,
District Awami League Adviser Md. Mofizar Rahman, Chandanpat union chairman
Md. Amenur Rahman and other guests participated in paddy cutting with
farmers.

  Deputy Commissioner's wife Nazira Banu, Additional Deputy Commissioner
(Revenue) Shahnaz Parveen, Sadar upazila chairman Nasima Zaman Boby, Upazila
Nirbahi Officer Nur Nahar Begum and other female guests traveled in a
bullock-driven cart on the occasion.

  Later, a colorful cultural program was arranged and prizes were distributed
among the winners of the traditional stick game and horse race competitions.

  Officer-in-Charge of Rangpur Sadar Kotwali Thana Md. Mostafizur Rahman,
Sadar upazila vice-chairmen Masudar Rahman Milon and Kajoli Begum, other
officials and employees of district and upazila administration and their
families were present.