‘Saptahik Sanskriti Haat’, a unique concept to showcase, display and revive the traditional and dying cultures which include all sorts of folk and rural music, songs, ballads etc. performing arts as well as handicrafts every week in a specific place was inaugurated on Sunday among high enthusiasm and pomp by Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha at Debrampara Gaon Panchayat.
Set up by Bangla Sanskriti Boloy, an international platform that is committed to preserve and develop the traditional and rich cultures , the Haat was expected to become a major tourist destination of the state in near future—like that of Sonajhuri of Santiniketan. The haat will showcase –on Sunday every week since 1 pm till sunset – the rich cultural and handicrafts and handloom of the both Bengalis and tribals including the Tea workers’ communities.
Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha while inaugurating the haat said, it is a unique effort to protect and develop Bengali art, culture and tradition and emphasized that in addition to creating income opportunities for the locals, this initiative will also play a crucial role in the development of tourism.
“If I hadn’t attended this programme, I might have missed it. I feel very gratified after participating in this event. Sanskriti Haat will be organized every Sunday. Culture is an ornament. We can’t live without culture. The youth are moving elsewhere, but it is the responsibility of the youths to remember our culture. We must preserve not only traditional songs but also behavior and rituals as part of our culture. Our ancestors have left many treasures for us, which we must cherish, protect and carry forward,” said Dr. Saha.
Reflecting on his experiences as Chief Minister, Dr. Saha mentioned attending programmes of Janajatis in Tripura and being amazed by their rich traditions and culture.
“We are rich in culture. Many prominent individuals involved in cultural activities have visited Tripura,” he added.
During the program, MLA Ratan Chakraborty—who played the key role in materialising the concept also dwelt on the project and sought people’s support.
President of Bangla Sanskriti Boloy Sebak Bhattacharya- who came up with the idea gave details as to how the members of the organization worked for the last six months to train the local artists and SHGs to perform and run the haat.
“They worked tirelessly and tried to pick up the almost lost ritual songs, ballads etc from the old people , noted them down and gave them tune and then trained the locals. It was a herculean task but they did it. Now, what is needed is local support to continue with the weekly events”.
Secretary general of the organization Kaji Mahbub Auman who came from Bangladesh also spoke on the occasion. So did Secretary of ICA department Dr PK Chakraborty, Vice-Chairman of the State-based Cultural Advisory Committee Subrata Chakraborty. Several cultural personalities from across the state and Bangladesh attended the programme.
