On June 2nd, the characters of such verses came alive through production house Tonatuni's five-day festival for children at the National Theatre Complex of Shilpakala Academy.

Announcing the official opening of the festival, President Professor Iazuddin Ahmed said, "Tonatuni has initiated a move to promote talent and to introduce the children to the rich and traditional culture of the land. The children must be abreast with modern trends, uphold their culture and work in unison."

Chaired by the Managing Director of Tonatuni, Mahbubur Rahman Jaynal, the special guest of the programme was State Minister for Cultural Affairs, Begum Selima Rahman.

Begum Selima Rahman said, "The noble objective of Tonatuni to help the distressed children is appreciable. The organisation has been working for promoting productions for children for the last 24 years."

A share of the profit from the recent CD Khela bhangar khela, will be donated for under privileged and ailing children.

Mahbubur Rahman Jaynal and Mujibur Rahman Dilu also spoke on the occasion. This was followed by a chorus Shurjodoye Tumi by a group of physicians of the country.

The prime attraction of the inauguration programme were two performances Dui Pakhi and Chhorar Desh by children. Based on the poem of Rabindranath Tagore, the first one is choreographed by Deepa Khondokar while Shujeo Shyam composed the music. Costume designer Kiriti Ranjan Biswas has done a commendable job while the most praiseworthy are the child performers who enthralled the audience as they played the roles of shiny-black crows, the red rose trees and snow-white clouds.

The second presentation was Chhorar Desh, choreographed by Tamanna Rahman. The performance included stories of baking rice cakes by Tonatuni, Noton noton payra, Hattima tim tim, Kana bok, Bhomboldas and Adur badur. In the later part the rhymes Toray badha ghorar dim by Satyajit Ray enchanted the spectators.

The most entertaining items of the show were the dance of the ghosts to the original music composition by Satyajit Ray of the film Gupi Gaine Bagha Baine. This was followed by a choral rendering of the timeless song Aha ki ananda akashey batashey. Here all the children appeared on stage with their colourful attire. The festival will continue till June 6.