AGARTALA, March 15 (TIWN): The week long Basant-Utsav, the festival of colours is being celebrated in Tripura with full enthusiasm from March 13.

'Basabta Utsav' which is nothing but another way to celebrate holi to be observed in many places across Tripura, on the day of Holi. It's a way to propagate about the beauty of the Spring (Basanta means Spring) and to play, enjoy & singing-dancing in this wonderful & colourful atmosphere.

During the programme, the aesthetic believers sing and dance in the memory of Rabindranath Tagore and celebrate the occasion with full devotion.

However holi in town areas, has become a matter of party with loud noise and drinking-driving attitude, whereas in rural Tripura people still believe in cultural freedom and to celebrate the occasion with piousness.

Holi by the name of Basant Utsav is celebrated with fervour in the state of West Bengal too. The tradition of Vasantotsav, meaning Spring Festival was started by poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore atShantiniketan, the University he founded. 

It’s to be mentioned here that festivals add color to life and if it is a festival of colors like Holi one may well imagine how it smudges all souls with joyousness. The famous Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore introduced Vasant Utsav or Spring festival in Shantiniketan, Birbhum to recreate the magic of the joyous festival Holi. It is now an integral part of Bengali culture.

Rabindranath Tagore was the founder of the Vishwabharati University in Shantiniketan, a serene and tranquil town in the Birbhum district of West Bengal. On the occasion of Vasant Utsav in Shantiniketan, Birbhum, the students of this university clad themselves in yellow colored clothes. The sight of all these youngsters adorned in such bright colored dresses is indeed beautiful.

They entertain you with some spectacular performances. The cultural programme that they put up is simply superb. The function is very enjoyable and provides the students a great opportunity to reveal their talents. They sing beautiful songs and dance to the tune of great music in groups. You are sure to be impressed by their memorable display of qualities. They welcome the season of spring whole heartedly.

Later in the day, the students as well as the teachers apply a colored powder popularly referred to as abeer on each other. The air is filled with certain joyousness. All the visitors are also extended a warm welcome and invited to participate in the merry making. Even they can play with abeer.

The Vasant Utsav is celebrated at the time of Holi. The date of Holi varies each year but it generally falls in the month of March. Do visit Shantiniketan when Vasant Utsav is being celebrated and be a part of this vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment.