Melodies of rain, hands of relief: 'Ghonoghota-2' blends art with flood solidarity at DU
Mysha Siddika, DU
The historic Bakultala premises at the University of Dhaka’s Faculty of Fine Arts turned into a vibrant hub of cultural celebration and humanitarian activism on Friday morning through "Ghonoghota-2," a unique monsoon festival dedicated to supporting flood victims.
Organized by Ekushey Padak-winning dancer and choreographer Arthi Ahmed in collaboration with the Faculty of Fine Arts, the 90-minute cultural show brought together artists aged three to seventy.
Through graceful dance sequences and traditional melodies inspired by the rainy season, the performers transformed the usual urban grievances of waterlogging and traffic jams into a poetic celebration of nature.
While initially conceived as a seasonal celebration, the event pivoted into a major fundraising initiative following devastating floods in the Chattogram Hill Tracts and surrounding areas.
In partnership with the JAGO Foundation, donation booths were set up across the venue, drawing spontaneous voluntary contributions from the audience.
"Artistic practice can never be detached from social realities," remarked Arthi Ahmed.
"While artists have a responsibility to create beauty, they also have a duty to stand beside people during times of crisis."
In addition to public donations, members of the Arthi Ahmed Dance Academy pledged personal contributions to the relief fund. Ultimately, Ghonoghota-2 proved that the university's cultural landscape remains deeply connected to national crises, using the power of performance to unite communities in empathy and collective action.
