Welcome to Bangla New Year

With the advent of Pahela Baishakh, the Bangla New Year 1425 has begun. The whole country wore a festive look marking the occasion amid various traditional cultural functions and tastes of delicious foods in cities and remote areas alike. The Bangalees in general are proud of Bangla New Year culture and tradition.

The traditional Baishakhi fair remain at the centre of Bangalee culture with the Panta Ilish (soaked rice with fried hilsha fish) being the traditional breakfast in the morning on this very day. Dolls and flutes thrill the children while the ladies and girls put on traditional yellow sarees with a bunch of Krisnachura flowers in the hairs that enhance the overall beauty profoundly. Pottery items and various local delicious foods have also enriched the Baishakhi fair culture manifold and reminded us of our glorious past. Halkhata (beginning of new accounting year) is yet another tradition of businessmen, marking which they arrange for sweetmeat treats for their old clients.

Traditional folk music and dance add some extra recreation on the day. The flair of Mangal Shobhajatra (colourful rally welcoming the year) and musical performance by Chhayanaut at Ramna Botomul in the morning of Pahela Baishakh has got expanded across the country of late as part of Bangla culture. Overall, celebration of the Bangla New Year has been part of our rich Bangalee heritage and culture since long. Hence, the celebration of Pahela Baishakh by people irrespective of race and religion in a festive mood is a welcome move.

Md. Zillur Rahaman

Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd

Lalmohan Branch, Bhola

[email protected]