<i>Amar Ekushey: A day all about Bangla </i>
It was all about Bangla and Bangalee yesterday, the Amar Ekushey. It was Barna Mela, a fair projecting the language, culture, and heritage of Bangalee, at the playground of BAWA School in the port city. Hundreds of enthusiastic children, adults too, swarmed the fair.
At the colourful event, kids visited different booths, each dedicated to showcase particular aspects of the history and culture of Bangalee, took part in exciting games and competitions, and some even learned to write their first ever letter.
Five-year-old Srabanti Chowdhury had a wide smile as she finished making the figure of a snake by arranging Bangla letters. Her friends Tisha, Riya, and Runa were also delighted for creating figures of fish, cow, and bird in the game.
Barna Zadughar, a booth showcasing the origin and evolution of Bangla Barnamala (alphabets) over more than a thousand years, attracted both children and adults the most.
Artiste Ahmed Newaz was seen to help Sayem, a kid, write Bangla letters at Barne Hate Khari booth. The boy was excited as Newaz signed his autograph on the paper where he wrote his first ever letter. Artiste Dhali Al Mamun also shared the joy.
Biswajit Chowdhury, associate editor of the Prothom Alo, the Bangla daily, which organised the daylong fair marking International Mother Language Day, said the fair promotes the language, culture, and heritage of Bangalee.
Here, prominent personalities including litterateurs, poets, and artistes help the kids with their first lessons, and it is a memorable event for a child, he said.
A special attraction was an art competition. Around 100 kids took part in it, drawing pictures all about Bangla and Bangalee. A significant others particiapted in a handwriting competition.
Meanwhile, the booths of Barna Chhobi showcased the photographs of language heroes and different moments of language movement, Barna Shambhar the books on Bangla language and Bangalee culture, and Barna Poshak the clothes of Bangalee men and women.
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