Basanta Utsav (also known as Basant Utsav or Vasanta Utsav:
It is a cultural festival held annually in Santiniketan, West Bengal, India. It is organized by Visva-Bharati University, and is typically held in the springtime being a celebration of the arrival of the warmer weather, the blooming of flowers, and the beginning of the harvest season. The festival is marked by a number of cultural events including music, dance, and poetry recitals.
The festival is attended by students, faculty, and local residents, as well as tourists from all over the country and it is a colorful and vibrant celebration of the arts and is an important cultural event in Santiniketan. If you are planning to visit Santiniketan, you should try to coincide your trip with the Basanta Utsav festival to experience the rich culture and traditions of the region.
The celebration of Basanta Utsav often involves a variety of activities, such as music and dance performances, parades, and cultural displays. It may also include traditional games, food and drink, and other forms of entertainment. The event is often held in public parks or other open spaces, and is open to the entire community to participate in and enjoy.
In addition to the cultural and recreational aspects of Basanta Utsav, the event is also an opportunity for people to come together and celebrate the traditions and values of their community. It is a time for families and friends to gather, and for people of all ages to participate in the joy and celebration of the arrival of spring.
There are many different ways that this festival is celebrated, depending on the region and community. In some areas, the event may involve the traditional Hindu spring festival of Holi, which involves the throwing of colored powders and the celebration of the victory of good over evil. In other areas, the focus may be more on music and dance, with performances by local artists and cultural groups.
Regardless of the specific activities and traditions, the celebration of Basanta Utsav is a time for people to come together and enjoy the beauty and energy of the spring season. It is a time for renewal and rejuvenation, as people embrace the warm weather and the abundance of new growth and life that it brings.
If you are interested in participating in a Basanta Utsav celebration, there are likely many options available in your community, or you can visit a nearby town or city that is known for its celebrations. You can also check online or with local cultural organizations for information on events and activities that may be taking place.
A FESTIVAL THAT CELEBRATES BEING BENGALI
The spring festival of Santiniketan is a source of immense joy and anticipation. Every year, thousands of Bengalis flock to this vibrant and colourful place, which is associated with the great poet Rabindranath Tagore. The festivities commence with the familiar song – “Ore Grihvasi, khol dwar khol, lage je dol” – and culminate with “Rangye die go go go go”.
It is believed that the spring festival is a modified form of the Vasant Panchami festival, which was started by Shamindranath Tagore on the 17th of February 1907. While Saraswati Puja was the main event on that day, the ceremony was later observed on different dates and tithi. The festival was perpetuated even when Rabindranath Tagore went on foreign tours, as the ashram residents would gather on a certain day to celebrate it.
Rabindranath Tagore was deeply moved when he heard the Gangateer village kirtan tunes and the full moon on the day of Dola Yatra. It is believed that Santiniketan’s spring festival culminates in the festival of colours known as Holi or Hori, which marks Radhakrishna’s Dolagyatra tithi.
Santiniketan has added a new dimension to the Bengali language and culture, with its festivals such as Durga Puja, Shardotsav and Shilpotsav. Rabindranath Tagore and Santiniketan have taught us to celebrate the new year in a refreshing way, besides Shriganesh or Elahi Bharsa, Ampata-Sindoor-Panjika, Halkhata and Laddu.
The festivities of the spring festival include not just locals but also guests from abroad, and tribals. The Visva Bharati Chatwar is the main event, where song and dance are celebrated in an orderly manner. Students from the ashram, foreign students, and tourists from different parts, join in the festivities. The vibrant celebration of Holi brings the entire town of Santiniketan together.
The spring festival of Santiniketan is an event of immense joy and celebration, and a reminder of Rabindranath Tagore’s great teachings and vision, which transcends all boundaries of religion, caste or customs. The festival still brings unadulterated joy and happiness to everyone who participates in it.
Dol, Dolpurnima, Vasanthotsava – DOL YATRA
Dol Yatra is a Hindu festival with roots in the Vaishnava tradition. It is celebrated on the full moon tithi of the Phalgoon month and is also known as Basant Utsav. The festival is associated with the outdoor festival of Holi and is most popular on the Indian subcontinent, but it is also celebrated by South Asian diaspora communities around the world.
Dol Yatra has both religious and secular aspects, with people celebrating by playing with colored powders and having parties. At Santiniketan, the festival is also marked by special dance songs and a ceremony known as Bhanyutsav, in which straw, wood, and bamboo are burned. In North India, the Holi festival is celebrated on the day after Dol Yatra in Bengal.
This festival, which is also known as Vasanthotsava, originated as a small celebration of spring at the schools at Santiniketan, featuring dancing, recitation, and drama. Over time, it became one of the most popular festivals in Santiniketan. Vasanthotsava is held on the day of Falguni Purnima, also known as Dol Purnima. The Vaitalik ceremony is held the night before, and the main festival begins with the song “Ore Grihabasi Khol Dwar Khol” on the morning of Dhol Day. In the evening, a play by Rabindranath Tagore is performed in the main courtyard.