Cultural fair offers a slice of Bengal in city

Ranchi: The three-day Bangla Sanskritik Mela, organised by Bengali Yuva Manch Charitable Trust, began on Friday at Birsa Munda Smriti Udyan here. People from all walks of life gathered at the event to witness cultural performances, traditional competitions, food stalls and Bengali folk dance and music.The fair opened with flag hoisting and traditional rituals, followed by a lively ‘Shankh Dhwani' and ‘Ulu Dhwani' competition in which around 100 took part. As the day progressed, visitors thronged the stalls which sold handicrafts, Bengali culinary delights, jewellery, traditional saris and decorative items.Governor Santosh Gangwar inaugurated the evening cultural programme. Artists from Kolkata, including Ankit Banerjee and Sohan Sundar Bose, captivated the audience with musical performances and stage shows, adding to the festive atmosphere.Over the next two days, the fair will host programmes such as ‘Sekal-Ekal er Gaan', Rabindra Nritya, ‘Matir Gaan' and several folk and contemporary Bengali performances. Organisers said artists from Kolkata and other cities have been invited to showcase Bengal's cultural traditions through music, dance and theatre.Event convener Supriyo Bhattacharya said the event was aimed at bringing people together through culture and tradition. "We wanted Ranchi residents to experience the flavour of Bengal through music, food and art. The response on the opening day itself has been overwhelming," he said.Gangwar praised the organisers for promoting cultural harmony and preserving regional traditions through community events.Visitors were seen enthusiastically shopping and enjoying the performances late into the evening. "It feels like a mini Kolkata festival in Ranchi," said visitor Moumita Sen.
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