Dhaka: A two-day beach festival organized by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has concluded at Cox’s Bazar sea beach with the participation of 21 ethnic groups. The festival at the Laboni point area of the Cox’s Bazar sea beach ended on Saturday as it was inaugurated marking the International Mother Language Day.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the main objective of the program was to show the diversified Bangladeshi culture to the world and to honor the mother languages of other ethnic groups through displaying different cultural activities. Huge enthusiasm was seen among the tourists on the occasion of the festival. Different ethnic groups performed Ekhusey’s song, national songs, and various cultural songs.
Artists from different ethnic groups like Chakma, Marma, Mro, Tripura, Lusai, Khumi, Bom, Kheyang, Chak, Pankhoya, Tanchangya, Manipuri, Sawtal, Mahali, Orao, Malpaharia, Garo, Hajong, Coach, and Rakhain participated at the festival. Additionally, Cox’s Bazar Zila Shilpakala Academy, Upazila Shilpakala Academy, and local artists also participated in the festival.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Cox’s Bazar, Mohammad Salahuddin, presided over the concluding ceremony of the festival, and Director General (DG) of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Dr. Syed Jamil Ahmed, addressed the event as chief guest. Addressing the program, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy DG Dr. Syed Jamil Ahmed expressed that the academy aims to organize people’s friendly cultural programs for the public.
In his speech, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Salahuddin stated, “The beach festival has given fresh entertainment to the tourists visiting Cox’s Bazar this vacation. The entertainment trend would be tried to hold continue every year.” At the outset of the program, the artists sung ‘Ekhuseyer Gaan’ in different languages. Later, different ethnic groups staged cultural functions like ‘Marma Pakha Dance’, ‘Bom Jibon Dhara Dance’, ‘Khumi Fishing Dance’, ‘Peacock Dance’, ‘Chakma Song’, and ‘Tripura Song.’