The Madhu Mela, a festival commemorating the 200th birth anniversary of the renowned Bengali sonnet pioneer, poet Michael Madhusudan Dutta, is set to commence tomorrow in Keshabpur upazila of Jashore.
Scheduled to take place at Sagardari, the birthplace of the poet on the banks of Kapataksha in the district, the nine-day festival has been organized by the Jashore district administration and will conclude on January 27.
Dr. Syed Anwar Husain, Professor of the “Bangabandhu Chair” at Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP), will inaugurate the fair as the chief guest. Poet and Madhusudan researcher Khosru Parvez, who is also the director of Madhusudan Academy, mentioned that the fair’s duration has been extended to nine days to allow visitors a more in-depth exploration of the life and contributions of the great poet Michael Madhusudan Dutta through various speakers. Typically, the fair lasts for seven days.
Keshabpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tuhin Hossain, who is also the member secretary of the Madhu Mela Celebration Committee, assured that all necessary preparations have been made for the successful celebration of Madhu Mela.
The event will feature participation from artists in Keshavpur and Jashore, national poets, writers, and artists in Madhumanch over the nine days. The district administration will present the Michael Madhusudan Padak as an award during the festival.
Apart from discussions on the poet’s life and achievements by distinguished literary figures from across the country, the festival will include cultural functions, dramas, and Jatra at Madhu Palli, the fair venue. Various entertainment activities such as circus, magic shows, Nagordola (merry-go-round), and sweetmeat stalls have also been arranged for visitors.
