The colours of the sun: Dhaka University on Pahela Falgun

The day began with what seemed like a parade of sunshine.

It seemed that those gathered at Dhaka University on Saturday morning had donned the yellow brightness of the sun’s rays. 
 
It was ‘Pahela Falgun’, the first day of spring on the Bangla calendar, and the campus was teeming with men, women and children who were more than happy to shake off the frosty winter.   
 
The flower shops were abuzz and their keepers were busy making bouquets for couples who came by or tiny flower wreaths that women gladly put on their heads. 
 
Music could be heard from the stage at the ‘Bakultola’ at the Fine Arts Institute. Young women who sat before the stage added a dash of colour with their yellow-hued sarees and flowers pinned to their hair.   
 
There was dance, folk songs, poetry recitations and more. The joy was by no means limited to the people here. Artists from both Bengals joined on stage at 9am. Children then put floral friendship bands on their hands.     
 
A procession was taken out from there at 10am. 
 
“It’s the first day of spring,” said Jannatul Yasmin from the crowd. “It feels good to dress up like it’s spring! 
 
“I’m buying some flowers so I can look even better on this special day that comes only once a year.”