Basanta Utsav
“Ore bhai, phagun legeche bone bone…” Basanta Utsav is a Bengali festival celebrating the onset of spring. An integral part of the celebrations of Kolkata lie tucked in the heart of Golf Green at the Central Park, where people of all ages in the locality come and participate in a lively morning of music and dance. Every year, the festivities take place on the early morning of Dol (as per the Bengali lunar calendar).
Melodious tones of Rabindra Sangeet ripple through the entire park, as voices of the singers on stage interweave beautifully with the humming of the residents present at the open venue. Little ones dancing their way into the performing area instantly enhance the marvelous ambiance with a burst of colors.
As the rays of the sun start to peep in through the leaves, a number of dance performances follow in a magically composed flow, coupled with music (composed by various Bengali legends) delivered gracefully by the singers on stage. A state of immense peace.
The grandeur of the event was unparalleled – the dance troupe included people from all age groups – carrying streaks of abir on their foreheads, adorning flowers on their arms and hair, enjoying every twitch of their wrists and relishing every clap floating in from the audience.
The programme concluded with “Aaj khela bhangar khela..”. In a matter of seconds, the entire crowd burst into a spectrum of colors. The fragrance of abir streamed through the air. The children prepared their colors in water and sprayed them on each other. The environment was a very homely one. As we were new to the place and had no colors on us, a group of residents smiled and smeared color on our faces as we reciprocated the same. Golf Green Central Park was coated in color and the painted kids had smiles galore.
The experience of Basanta Utsav at Golf Green is a spectacle definitely worth watching. Such is the brilliance of the entire morning, no one can leave the Central Park without a smile. The music still chimes on within my ears.
Rabindra Jayanti
Rabindra Jayanti is an annual cultural festival of Golf Green, held in Central park. It is celebrated in remembrance of the birth anniversary of the great Indian poet, novelist and scholar, Rabindranath Tagore. Prevalent among the people from the Bengali community, this public holiday falls on the 25th day of Baisakh.
Golf green celebrates Rabindra Jayanti with a captivating cultural program attended by eminent personalities and singers. The cultural programme include events such as songs, elocution and poetry recitations. Program is attended by the hundreds of culturally minded audiences.
Nazrul Jayanti
Golf Green Central Coordination Committee celebrates Nazrul Jayanti every year on 25 May. It is a tribute to Nazrul Islam and his works.
The organizers arrange a colorful cultural event where eminent artists sing Nazrul Geeti and recite poems. Top performers from India and Bangladesh attend the program. The program is very well appreciated and attended by large number of culturally inclined audience.
Sports
The annual sports for residents if conducted by Golf Green Central Coordination Committee is held during the winter season at the Phase 1 ground. The organizers categorize participants into different age groups and engage external judges competent in state-level athletics meets to monitor and conduct the event. This provides a professional element to the entire arrangement. The event has a very high competitive spirit. In most of the events, the participants reach the finals only after getting qualified in the heats. Senior citizens display notable enthusiasm for the events categorized for the higher age groups. The winners are awarded medallions by the eminent residents.
