Spring is the time for new leaves to appear, shed off woollen clothes and listen to the murmurs of the gentle breeze that carry the fragrance of flowers. 

One of my colleagues invited me to attend the annual cultural programme organised by the Siliguri Subhaspally Welfare Organisation. The aim was to spread love in every heart at a time when the earth is tormented with hatred, jealousy, injustice and terrorism. There are people who in the midst of anguish brave the world to make it better through charity, music, art and dance — they bring spring in our lives, both literally and metaphorically. Paramita Dasgupta, principal of the Ubach Cultural troupe and Moloy Ghosh with his Rwitik theatre group from Siliguri, have made an attempt to reawaken human minds.

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On a recent Sunday evening, the members of Siliguri Subhaspally Welfare Organisation stood outside the gate of Dinabandhu Mancha and heartily welcomed the people who arrived to attend their programme. The cultural extravaganza began at 6pm with a prize distribution ceremony for school students who had won prizes at an earlier sit-and-draw competition organised by SSWO in November last year.

President, Dr Prashanta Pal, who is a physician and social worker, thanked the audience for their presence in his welcome speech. Honourable members, Dr LC Basak, Dr AC Bhowal and Dr Chaturbhuj Kundu along with Dr Pal felicitated 15 school children who come from humble backgrounds with books and school bags.

Dr Pal also honored Dasgupta — she is a well-known cultural figure of Siliguri who is seen in every function with her and her troupe’s grand, colourful performances. Hers is a fusion of Rabindrasangeet, contemporary songs, dance and poetry — all in a complete package. Ubacha’s theme for the evening was Ei Basante Phag renute which means, the pollens of March this spring.

Ubacha’s dance and poetry recitation gushed like spring waters in the auditorium of Dinabandhu Mancha, which was packed with people from different age groups. The cultural event was choreographed by Dasgupta who was assisted by her group’s members — Dr Prajnamita Dasgupta and Sarbani Mazumdar in recitation, Sarashi Dutta and Debalaya Ganguly in singing; Govinda Saha, principal of Chandamanjari in dance along with Bibek Ghosh, Anushka Pradhan, Raju Halder, Riyanka Saha, Nandita Ghosh, Sneha Pal, Mukta Das, Neha Banik and Nikita Pal. They were assisted by Prasenjit Guha on tabla and Abhimanyu Roy on keyboards. 

The programme continued with a drama called Sasti, performed by the members of the Rwitik theatre group .The drama was based on a Rabindranath Tagore story, which depicted the complexities of our social and family life. 

As a member of the audience, one was really touched by the efforts of the artists.