Dhaka — Bangladesh is celebrating its traditional New Year, Bangla Nabanabarsha, amid fanfare and vibrant festivities across the country.
Hundreds of thousands of people on Tuesday joined traditional processions brought out at different places to welcome Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bengali calendar.
The revelers sang, danced, and engaged themselves in various other activities to celebrate the day. Special meals were prepared and served in almost every household. The day is a public holiday.
The central event to welcome the New Year was held at Dhaka’s Ramna Green, as in previous years. As darkness descended and morning light slowly began to spread across the eastern sky, the premises of Ramna Batamul (the banyan tree root) filled with the footsteps of thousands of people.
Women attired in red-and-white saris and men in traditional colorful robes gathered in unison at the lush Ramna Green, creating a vast cultural assembly where they welcomed the new year, as if the identity of the Bengali people was proclaimed once again.
At the heart of this event was Chhayanaut, a noted cultural group in Bangladesh. The organization, which has continuously nurtured Bengali cultural consciousness through its morning programs on Pahela Baishakh since 1967, once again welcomed Bengali New Year 1433 with melodious and profound presentations.
This year’s theme was “Chitto Jetha Bhoyashunno, Uchho Jetha Shir” (Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high), inspired by Rabindranath Tagore’s spirit of human emancipation.
The program began at 6:15 am with the collective voice singing “Jago Alok-Logone.” Composed with lyrics by Ajay Bhattacharya and melody by Bhismadev Chattopadhyay, this song seemed to symbolize the opening of the door to a new day.
Following that, songs by Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam, Dwijendralal Roy, and Lalon Sain were performed in succession.
Tagore songs performed by Makshura Akhtar Antara, Azizur Rahman Tuhin, Semanti Manjari, Tania Mannan, and Laisa Ahmed Lisa spread enchantment, while Nazrul songs performed by Bitu Kumar Shil, Bijan Chandra Mistri, Nasima Shahin Fancy, Khairul Anam Shakil, and Sharmin Sathi Islam Moyna brought the power of rebellion and equality. Dwijendralal Roy’s song was performed by Shrabanti Dhar, and Chandana Majumdar sang Lalon’s “Boro Shonkote Porio Doyal.”
Deeply rooted in centuries of tradition, Pahela Baishakh has evolved into a universal festival that transcends religion, caste, and ethnicity, bringing millions of Bangladeshis together at home and abroad.
The day stands as a powerful expression of cultural identity and non-communal harmony. It carries the collective aspiration that darkness and despair will be replaced by light, truth, and beauty, while the memories of the past year are left behind.
Various other organizations have taken up elaborate programs to welcome the New Year.
Like previous years, the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University brought out the traditional procession — this time named ‘Baishakhi Shobhajatra’ with the theme “Harmony of the New Year, Revival of Democracy.” The organizers changed the procession’s previous name, Mongol Shobhajatra, a UNESCO cultural heritage, after the 2024 uprising that ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman have greeted the nation in separate messages, extending New Year wishes to all citizens. Shahabuddin called for unity, harmony, and renewed commitment, describing Pahela Baishakh as a “universal festival of the Bengali soul.”
Tarique Rahman said Pahela Baishakh is a unique symbol of the nation’s history, culture, and identity. He noted that the festival has been returning for centuries with a message of renewal, inspiring people to overcome past hardships and move forward with determination.
Dhaka’s Baishakhi Shobhajatra featured five key motifs — rooster, dotara (folk instrument), pigeon, elephant, and horse — symbolizing strength, creativity, peace, dignity, and movement. Around 35 musicians performed national songs including the national anthem and “Eso He Baishakh,” while 200 students participated carrying the national flag.
Udichi, another noted cultural group, is also marking the occasion at Topkhana Road with a day-long program of music, poetry, and dance, themed “Let social fascism be destroyed in the fierce spirit of Baishakh,” with its main event scheduled at 4 pm.
Dhaka South City Corporation arranged cultural programs under the theme “Let the lost joys of Bengal return in Baishakh,” while Art Pix is staging puppet shows from April 14 to 21 on the Bangladesh Military Museum premises near Bijoy Sarani.
Authorities, including Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and RAB, have taken special security measures to ensure peaceful celebrations across the capital.
The Ministry of Cultural Affairs, along with Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, and other cultural organizations, are observing the day nationwide through a variety of programs. The National Press Club and Dhaka Reporters Unity also hosted separate events marking the occasion.
Special arrangements have been made to serve traditional food in prisons, hospitals, and shishu paribars (children’s homes), alongside cultural programs for children. All museums and archaeological sites remain open to the public, with free entry for children, students, and persons with disabilities.
In Chattogram, the historic ‘Jabbarer Bolikhela’, a show of strength, is being held at Laldighi Maidan, marking its century-old tradition.
Local administrations are also organizing folk fairs and essay competitions for students at the district and upazila levels, while celebrations have been arranged at the union level.
Rural businesses have opened their traditional ‘Halkhata’ (new account books), while sweetmeats are being distributed among customers to mark the day.
National dailies published supplements, while Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar are broadcasting special programs highlighting the significance of Pahela Baishakh.
