Bangla New Year programmes

Bangladesh is set to celebrate Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bengali New Year - 1421 - with pomp and colour lacing traditional gaiety, fairs, open-air concerts and rallies.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 13 April 2014, 02:18 PM
Updated : 13 April 2014, 03:10 PM

All educational institutions across the country will celebrate by staging their own programmes.

Cultural and musical groups will usher in the New Year with functions at city parks, while fine art students and youngsters will bring out a vibrant procession.

The programmes of the day will begin in Dhaka at dawn with musical programmes by Chhayanat, a leading cultural troupe, at Ramna Batamul.

Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private TV channels will telecast the Chhayanat show live.

Chhayanat will begin with Rabindranath Tagore's famous song – Eso Hey Baishakh Eso Eso, heralding the onset of Baishakh, the first month of the new year.

Noted artistes will sing solo and in chorus at the function.

Students of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Dhaka University, at 9am will bring out ‘Mongol Shobhajatra' — a pageant wishing the nation well with festoons, replicas of animals, and other traditional symbols.

The procession will pass through Dhaka University’s TSC area, Shahbagh, and Ruposhi Bangla Hotel intersection before ending in front of the Faculty of Fine Arts.

Musical and cultural programmes will also be held at Rabindra Sarobor in Dhanmondi, Shishu Park at Shahbagh and other places.

The Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Bangla Academy will issue supplements in national dailies on the New Year.

Local administrations will host discussions and cultural functions in all Upazilas, divisional towns, and 57 district headquarters.

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has planned a three-day function to celebrate New Year.

The Bangladesh Shishu Academy, Bangla Academy, Department of Public Library, National Museum, Dhaka University, and cultural institutes of the indigenous peoples, too, have lined up colourful events.

The Bangladesh Folk Art and Crafts Foundation at Sonargaon, in Narayanganj, will hold the traditional Baishakhi fair.

Jail, hospital, and orphanage inmates will get a break from routine diet with delicacies being served on this special day.

All museums will remain open on Monday. Students and disabled children will be allowed free entry.

Celebration of Pahela Baishakh has become an integral part of Bengali culture since it began being observed over six centuries ago.

Mughal Emperor Akbar introduced the Bengali calendar in the year 1556 of the Gregorian calendar to streamline the collection of land tax in the then 'Subah Bangla', much of which is now in Bangladesh.