With the sunrise ushering in Pahela Baishakh, people from all walks of life welcomes Bangla New Year 1414 today all over the country while most residents of the capital went Ramna Batomul to take part in the biggest carnival of the Bangalees.
Men in panjabi and pyjama, women in sari, and children in colourful dress–all gathered at traditional Baishakhi Mela (fair)–a major feature of the celebration of the first day of Bangla New Year. The celebrations also feature cultural functions at Ramna Udyan, Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka University (DU), and other places in the capital and elsewhere.
The festivity starts off early in the morning with the gathering of thousands of people under the banyan tree at Ramna Udyan where artistes of cultural organisation Chhayanaut sang the traditional Pahela Baishakh song of Rabindranath Tagore–“Esho hey Baishakh”–to welcome the day.
Mangal Shobhajatra, a procession seeking well-being of all, starts from the Institute of Fine Arts in the morning.
People gorging themselves on delicacies–Panta Bhat (rice soaked in water), hilsha fry, lentil and smoked chilli–at home and places of Baishakhi congregations.
Among other organisations, Gulshan Society, Baridhara Society, Bangladesh Chhatra Maitree, Bangladesh Kite Association, Pratibandhi Kalyan Society, Dhakabashi, Benuka Institute of Fine Arts, American International University have chalked out celebration programmes.
I must say it is the best and biggest event for bangalees. Joy Bangla…………….Nachoooo……