Bengali New Year with a vibrant ‘Vorta Festival’ in Manchester
Staff Reporter: Bangladeshi expatriates in the U.S. state of Connecticut celebrated the Bengali New Year with a vibrant ‘Vorta Festival’ in Manchester. The event was organized on Saturday evening, May 16, at the Center Congregational Church by local Bangladeshi cultural activist Rekha Rozario.
Held in a warm and friendly atmosphere, the celebration brought together Bangladeshi families, professionals, and children for an evening filled with traditional Bengali food, music, and cultural festivities. Guests enjoyed panta bhat and Bengali songs in a lively community gathering.
Well-known Manchester community member Rekha Rozario and her family warmly welcomed the guests. The event featured a wide variety of traditional Bangladeshi dishes, including hilsa fish, chicken curry, beef bhuna, panta rice, shutki, and about 33 different varieties of vorta made from eggplant, potato, tomato, and other ingredients. Traditional sweets, tea, and betel leaf with areca nut were also served as part of the Pohela Boishakh celebration.
Musical performances and entertainment programs were arranged to add joy to the celebration for the Bangladeshi community members.
Bangladeshi-American State Senator MD Rahman and his family also attended the event.
Rekha Rosario said the celebration had been held at her home for several years, but due to space limitations and for the convenience of the community, this year’s event was moved to a larger venue. She said the event set an example by bringing together people from all religions and backgrounds.
“I have loved cooking since childhood, and every Bengali New Year I organize this kind of event out of my own passion,” she said.
The program was jointly hosted by Nixon Biswas, Nira Baharuddin, and Joly Biswas. Speakers included Bela Chowdhury, Sarah Tasneem Lia, Kausholy Ema, and Molla Baharuddin Piyal, among others.
Cultural performances were presented by child artists Oddhay, Arshi, Radia, Wali,Aliana and Briana Biswas. Adult performers included Jubayer Ahmed, Kausholy Ema, Rekha Rozario, Mukut Costa, Lulo, Kanan Hasan, Sujoy Ribeiro, Nahar, Ishrat, Parul, Hazera, Jenifer and Namrota. Jennifer Pereira also performed a dance recital at the event.
An attractive fashion show was held during the event, with local women taking part in it.
The choreography was done by Rekha Rozario.
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BP/SM
