LUCKNOW, April 16 -- The Bengali community in Lucknow welcomed Poila Boishakh, marking the Bengali New Year 1433, with vibrant cultural and religious celebrations on Wednesday. A musical evening at the Bengali Club was the highlight, featuring reality TV singer Banashree Biswas and her Kolkata-based folk band. The programme was dedicated to the legendary singer Asha Bhosle, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 92. Banashree captivated a 500-strong audience with soulful renditions of Asha Bhosle's "Jete Dao Amaye Deko Na," alongside Rabindra Sangeet and popular Bengali folk numbers such as Bangla Amar Sorse Ilish, Tomar Ghore Bosot Kore Koi Jona, Tomay Rid Majhare Rakhibo, and Bolo O Nanadini. The event was hosted by senior club members Enakshi Sinha and Nirmoy Mitra, while officiating general secretary Trissha Sinha welcomed the guests. Additional chief secretary Partha Sarthi Sen Sharma attended as chief guest, with Leena Johri as guest of honour. Other dignitaries included Sanyukta Samaddar and Abhijit Sarkar. Club president Arun Kumar Banerjee expressed gratitude to attendees, while newly nominated corporator Pankaj Bose was felicitated. Guests were served the traditional Poila Boishakh sweet, Darbesh. Earlier, devotees in new attire offered Puspanjali at the Kali Bari temple in Ghasiyari Mandi, said Gautam Bhattacharya, president of the managing committee. Special prayers were also held at the Ramakrishna Math, Nirala Nagar. htc...