On the first day of Bangla month Agrahayan, a cultural function was organised by Mymensingh Shilpakala Academy at its auditorium on Sunday evening.

The festival included rendition of songs, dance sequences and 'Pitha Utsab'.

The artistes of the academy rendered 56 largely folk songs.

Indigenous artistes from Mymensingh Mohila College also participated in a dance sequence. Ustad Anwar Hossain, Sakhawat Hossain Mithu and Joyate Fahmi directed the musical soiree while Nazmul Haque Lenin directed the dance sequences.

Poet Rubina Azad joined a poetry recitation session.

At a discussion held earlier, the speakers said that the Nobanno festival has been celebrated for centuries in rural Bangladesh. While the younger generation is addicted to newer forms of entertainment, we should go back to our roots by observing such traditional festivals.

Harun-ur-Rashid, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) inaugurated the celebrations as chief guest. Arzu Parves, District Cultural Officer also spoke at the inaugural session, among others.