As Srabon neared its end, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) campus turned festive on Monday as students gathered for an evening of music, folk traditions, theatre and monsoon-themed activities.

The cultural organisation Team Utshob organised the event, titled ‘Megh Bolchhe Jabo Jabo’, at the open stage of the Teachers-Students Centre (TSC), bringing together Bengali cultural traditions and youth creativity to celebrate the monsoon.

The TSC premises featured 12 stalls offering food, jewellery, cosmetics and other products. The main programme at the ‘Megher Mancha’ featured songs, dance, recitation and theatrical performances.

A traditional staging of ‘Khekshiyaler Biye’, along with paper-boat floating and other activities, added a folk touch to the celebration.

Students began arriving in the afternoon, with the TSC open stage and surrounding areas gradually turning into a lively gathering spot.

Two students from Mymensingh Medical College who attended the event said they regularly visit the BAU campus because of their friends studying there.

“We usually come when our friends invite us to good programmes. They invited us today as well, so we came. We are enjoying the event,” they said.

A student of Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University said previous Team Utshob events encouraged them to attend.

“I have attended Team Utshob’s previous programmes and really enjoyed them. Their events are well planned and have a festive atmosphere. That positive experience brought me here today,” the student said.

Explaining the event’s name, Team Utshob General Secretary Zahra Tasnim Adiba said it was inspired by a famous line from a song by Rabindranath Tagore.

“At first, one might think we made a mistake while writing a line from one of Rabindranath Tagore’s famous songs. But that is not the case. As Srabon is nearing its end, we slightly modified the famous line and named the event ‘Megh Bolchhe Jabo Jabo’,” she said.

Team Utshob President Professor Dr Shaef Ullah said extracurricular activities at BAU have declined significantly and the event was organised to help revive student engagement beyond academics.

He said cultural programmes, debate competitions, journalism and other extracurricular activities can help students develop skills and interests outside the classroom.

“Cultural programmes, debate competitions, journalism and other extracurricular activities can play an important role in encouraging students to develop beyond academics,” he said.

Such programmes are particularly valuable for newly admitted students, he added, as they provide an opportunity to learn about campus organisations and explore activities aligned with their interests.