‘Ghonghata 2’ celebrates monsoon while aiding flood victims

Shifting away from the conventional view of monsoon as a season of waterlogging and suffering, a dance event titled 'Ghonghata 2' was held at Bakultala of Dhaka University's Faculty of Fine Arts on Friday, July 17, celebrating the cultural beauty of the season. The venue came alive with monsoon-themed performances, Rabindra Sangeet and vibrant presentations by over 300 dancers, spanning ages 3 to 70.

Organised by Ekushey Padak-winning dancer and choreographer Arthi Ahmed's Dance Academy in collaboration with the Fine Arts Faculty, the 90-minute event featured 16 dance performances inspired by Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam and Bengali folk traditions.

Arthi Ahmed said preparations had begun four months ago, but organisers felt they could not ignore the recent floods. Besides celebrating the monsoon, they also sought to stand by flood-affected people. In collaboration with Jago Foundation, donation booths were set up at the venue to collect funds for flood victims.

Arthi Ahmed noted that while monsoon has become synonymous with urban chaos, Bengali culture has always treated it as a season of celebration. She said artists cannot remain detached during a crisis, and even if the funds raised are modest, indifference is not an option.

"Ghonghata is not just a dance event; it is a platform to turn dreams into reality. Here, age is no barrier," she said. This was the first major event organised by her academy after receiving the Ekushey Padak.