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Published : 13 Apr 2026, 08:04 PM
As the final hours of the year tick away, Chhayanaut is putting final touches to usher in the Bangla New Year with a call for peace, humanity, and the freedom to practise culture without fear.
Vowing to sweep away the "debris and discord" of the past year, the pioneering cultural organisation aims to be "more human-centric" in the coming year.
Their central theme for Pahela Baishakh 1433 is a simple yet powerful plea: “We want to practise our culture undisturbed.”
On Monday evening, nearly 200 artists and organisers gathered at the historic Ramna Batamul for a final rehearsal.
The dawn programme at this venue, initiated by Chhayanaut in 1967, has become the hallmark of Bengali New Year celebrations.
Except for the liberation war year of 1971, the festival has been held every year, including virtual celebrations during the two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since the tragic bomb attack in 2001 that killed 10 people, the event has been held under strict security.
"In this celebration, we want to say: where the mind is without fear and the head is held high, there lies the victory of the Bengali people," Chhayanaut said in a press release.
Chhayanaut General Secretary Laisa Ahmed Lisa highlighted the global context of this year’s celebration, noting that while Bengalis prepare for the New Year, conflict in the Middle East threatens thousands of years of civilisation and global stability.
The organisation expressed hope for the end of all uncertainty and terror, dreaming of a world where humanity, equality, and harmony prevail.
"Let our resolve be to open the doors of darkness and journey toward the world of light as companions on a shared path," the statement added.
The program is scheduled to begin at 6:15am on Tuesday.
In addition to songs celebrating nature and patriotism, the event will feature traditional folk melodies.
A special segment will pay tribute to Salil Chowdhury, the renowned mass-singer of the anti-British movement, and Matlub Ali, the defiant composer of the anti-Pakistan movement.
The two-hour event at Ramna Park will be broadcast live by Bangladesh Television (BTV) and several other media outlets.
It will also be available for streaming on Chhayanaut’s official YouTube channel and Facebook page.
