Pohela Baishakh Celebration in New Orleans,

April 30, 2005

Part One

 

It was a grand gala - Pohela Baishakh - our Bangla New Year's Celebration, which took place on April 30, 2005, at the Quality Hotel and Conference Center, Metairie, Louisiana, USA.  Bangalees and their friends came from other neighboring states Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama to attend the program.  Prof. Mizan Rahman from Ottawa, Canada, was the guest of honor.  Poetry reading, dance recitals, vocal performances, a short one-person drama, fashion show, etc., were included in the colorful program.  Mr. M. A. Shoeb - a talented and professional singer from Los Angeles -  thrilled the audience with his rendition of Bangla songs.  A dinner that included Bangalee cuisine was served in the middle of the program.  To mark the occasion, Ms. Qumrun Zinia edited a book (168 pages) entitled "Akashleena" that included literary works of Bangalees living in Louisiana and other states. 

I took some digital images of the attendees using a Nikon Digital SLR.  Please enjoy these excellent photos that best describe the ambiance of this year's Bangla New Year (1412) celebration in Greater New Orleans area.

Jaffor Ullah

Slidell, Louisiana,  May 1, 2005     

The cover page of this year's 'Akashleena,' the literary magazine to mark the Bangla New Year 

At the entrance of the Bayou Ball Room Zobaid (Tanuz) collects dues from Dr. Majid and Mrs. Neena Majid

Two guests from Mississippi  ( Amal Mitra, Right) enjoying the event

Zinia, Prof. Shamsul Huda, and Prof. Shamim Chowdhury are at the tea-serving station

A guest from Alexandria Louisiana pays the dues while his spouse looks on

Prof. Amal Mitra, Mr. Shovan Das, and Captain Shankar Panday having a good time at the venue

Shahed, Zinia, and Zobaid work diligently at the booth

Anjana Das reciting a poem

(From forefront) Bani Bhattacharya, Molly Panday, and Anushka Das (in dance costume)

To view:

The second web page of 1412 Pohela Baishakh celebration, please click here

The third web page of 1412 Pohela Baishakh celebration, please click here

The fourth web page of 1412 Pohela Baishakh celebration, please click here

The fifth or final web page of 1412 Pohela Baishakh celebration, please click here

Web design and photos by Jaffor Ullah