Pahela Boishakh
Introduction: A popular festival in
Bangladesh is Pahela Boishakh. This is the first day of the year. In fact, it
is a New Year’s Day which comes annually and is celebrated all over the country
with great fun and frolic.
The festive day: It is supposed that
Emperor Akber introduced the festival of Pahela Boishakh. Since then the people
of our country have been celebrating this day every year. Probably it was
thought necessary to systematize the revenue-according of the country with effect
from this day of the year. At present the most important feature of this day is
that traders and shopkeepers open new khata, popularly known as “Halkhata” (Annual
account book) and offer sweets to their customers and clients. This is a very
happy occasion for them.
The highlights: Pahela Boishakh is a
national festival in Bangladesh. It is celebrated by all communities of the
nation alike with great enthusiasm. The day is a public holiday. Different socio-cultural
organizations chalk out elaborate programmed to celebrate the day in a
befitting manner. Large numbers of people wearing traditional dresses attend
the programmes. National dailies bring out a special supplement / the BTN and
other private channels telecast special programmes. Bangladesh Betar also
throws special programmes on the air. The Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka
University brings out a colourful procession from its premises carrying
festoons, banners placards, posters, and wearing masks to welcome the Bangla
New Year. Shilpa Kala Academy, Bangla Academy, Jatiya Press Club, Bulbul Lalitkala
Academy, Liberation War Museum and Bangladesh National Museum organize cultural
functions in their respective premises.
Ramna Batamul: The first programme of
the festival begins in the capital city at dawn at Ramna Batamul. Chhayanat, a
leading cultural organization arranges this programme. The famous artists of
the country take part in it. Multitudes of people start coming to the venue
in the early morning to enjoy this programme. Temporary food courts are set up
there to cater for the special food of the day – the pantha and Hilsha fish.
Boishakhi mela is a significant attraction of the day.
Across the country: Similar programmes
are organized across the country by the local socio-cultural organizations. Boishakhi
melas are also held here and there with great eclat. Discussion meetings are held
in various schools and colleges. They also organize their respective cultural
functions.
Conclusion: The festival of Pahela
Boishakh brings all people of the countrymen and women, young and old –
under the same canopy of rejoicing. Of all days, it is a day of joy and
merry-making. It bears great significance in the traditional life and culture
of Bangladesh.
