'Betal Sure Matir Gan Folk Festival held in Faridpur
Faridpur Correspondent
The 'Betal Sure Matir Gan Folk Festival 2026' was held on the banks of the Kumar River in Faridpur to highlight traditional folk culture and rural music to the younger generation.
The night-long folk festival took place on Friday, at Jasim Udyan, adjacent to the residence of Pallikabi Jasimuddin in Ambikapur, Faridpur. Organized jointly by Betal and Matir Gan with support from Ablosom Cafeteria, the event drew a large audience of folk music enthusiasts.
Faridpur Zila Parishad Administrator Afzal Hossain Khan Palash attended the festival as the chief guest.
Presided over by Mehedi Hasan Sohel, owner of Ablosom Cafeteria and President of Betal and Matir Gan, the program was attended by Faridpur Additional Deputy Commissioner Sushmita Saha, Faridpur Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Meshkatul Jannat Rabeya, Faridpur Press Club General Secretary Mahbub Hossain Piyal, and senior journalist Panna Bala, among other local dignitaries.
Moderated by Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, the event opened with a traditional felicitation ceremony where guests were presented with ceremonial scarves (uttoriyo), followed by discussions on the heritage of Bengali folk culture.
The main cultural segment featured performances by prominent folk artists, including Baul Tofazzal Sarkar, Baul Md. Saifuzzaman Rupok, Sharmin Baul, Sumna Baul, R.M. Roni, Sohel Rana Sabuj Shikder, and troupe members from the Faridpur District Shilpakala Academy.
