The annual “Mango, Silk Exhibition and Folk Festival 2013” begins on
Thursday afternoon at Green Plaza of City Bhaban in Rajshahi.
The festival the best Rajshahi has been offering — sweetest mangoes,
stunning silk and traditional Gambhira songs. The event was organised
by Amra Rajshahibashi for the sixth consecutive year.
Mango is the leading seasonal cash crop of the northwestern region of
Bangladesh and dominates the economy of Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj
districts. Hundreds of varieties were on display at the fair. Each
has its distinctive flavour.
Rajshahi silk is a delicate and soft fibre produced from the cocoons
of silkworms. There are mainly three varieties of silks: mulberry
silk, eri (or endi) silk and tussar silk. Among these varieties,
mulberry silk is the finest and is therefore the most valuable.
Saris and other products made of Rajshahi silk are coveted not only in
the country but all over the world. Rajshahi silk is available as
fabric in varied colours and patterns for designers.
Rajshahi houses a number of silk industries and a Silk Research
Institute. The region’s sericulture accounts for almost the entire
silk output of Bangladesh. Approximately 100,000 people are directly
or indirectly employed in this sector, highlighting its importance to
the country.
The Gambira is a sub-genre of folk songs of the Barendra area on
Bangladesh. Mainly two characters play vital roles in this type of
song. One is the grandfather (Nana) whose plays the role of a farmer
and the other is the grandson (Nati) whose enacts the role of a
cowboy.
The singers through humorous songs raise awareness among the people
about recent issues.
During the opening session, Prof Dr Mijanuddin, Vice-chancellor of
Rajshahi University, spoke as chief guest while Prof Dr Abdul Mannan,
Principal of Women Degree College, Prof Abdus Samad Mondal, Vice
Principal of Teachers Training College, Abu Bakar Ali, president, Amra
Rajshahi Bashi and Dr Shafiqul Islam, Chief Scientific Officer of
Mango Research Station were present as special guests.
To celebrate the event, hundreds of mango research experts, silk
research experts and noted Gambhira singers and Bauls are attending
and giving performances — providing entertainment for people from
all sections of society.
Thousands of people from all over the region are gathering at green
plaza to attend the festival.
Abu Bakker Ali said, “The festival highlights three very important
aspects of Bangladeshi culture: mangoes, silk, and folk music”.
(BSS, Rajshahi)
