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Basant celebrated in Faisalabad

KHALID ABBAS SAIF

FAISALABAD: Grand Basant gala was celebrated here on Sunday with traditional festivities to mark the seasonal change from harsh cold to pleasant spring season.

"A colourful function was arranged at the roof-top of the brick structure of five-star Serena Hotel, which was turned 'Basanti' with yellow flowers, yellow dupattas and yellow kites. A sumptuous lunch was arranged in the lush green lawn of the hotel where traditional "Bhangra" dancers enthralled the audience.

The high pitched notes of the traditional drum beat inspired the ladies and young girls who could not restrain themselves and started dancing. A pop music group presented popular songs. The roof was packed with kite-flyers, children, kids, young girls and boys, wearing colourful dresses and celebrating the seasonal change in their own ways.

A number of stalls were setup to extend the traditional Serena hospitality to the participants. Among these were: henna stall, bangles stall, kite and cord stalls, food and drinks stalls in addition to magic show and monkey show, face painting, small toys and balloons.

Ladies were presented 'Gajras' and men were presented with yellow patches and children were given yellow caps with Serena logo.

Kite-flyers spent a busy afternoon, with shouts of 'bo-kata' and traditional Punjabi 'Barrak' with live music played by the string fellows.

Ms Amber Naveed, Serena's public relation manager was very much there to look after the guests.