Shuvo Noboborsho 1432: The New Year of Bengali

 

With the theme “Symphony of the New Year, End of Fascism,” the Boishakhi Celebration Procession began in front of the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Dhaka. The procession is set to pass through Shahbagh intersection, TSC intersection, Shaheed Minar, Physical Education Centre, and Doel Square, before looping back to the Faculty of Fine Arts via the road in front of Bangla Academy.

The procession commenced today, Monday at 9:00 AM, led by the Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University, Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan. Cultural advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooki also participated in the procession.

This year’s procession featured a total of eight motifs. These included: fascist motif, tiger, hilsa fish, dove of peace, palanquin, Mugdho's water bottle, 36th of July, and a watermelon motif expressing solidarity with Palestine. In addition, there was a 100-foot-long Ghazi scroll, along with rickshaws and horse-drawn carriages.

To ensure safety during the procession, law enforcement agencies were positioned on both sides. Additionally, a volunteer team consisting of students from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University, along with members of the BNCC, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, Rover Scouts, and Girl Guides, were assigned to ensure security.

The Dhaka University authorities have stated that this year’s procession saw participation from 28 ethnic communities, various public and private educational institutions, social and cultural organizations, as well as guests from different countries.

The atmosphere of this year’s Pohela Boishakh was different from previous years. This is the first Bengali New Year celebration since the political change following the student and public uprising on August 5. As a result, celebrations across the country are being held with a new spirit.

Pohela Boishakh is the first day of the Bengali New Year. There was no shortage of preparations at Ramna Batamul to welcome the new year. Upholding Bengali culture, Chhayanaut has been traditionally organizing the New Year celebrations. This year too, the new year was embraced with the enchanting melodies of music and song.

On Monday at 6:15 AM, as the first light of dawn appeared at the base of the banyan tree in Ramna Park, the celebration began with a Raag Bhairavi alap. This year’s program at Batamul features a total of 24 performances, including 9 choral songs, 12 solo songs, and 3 recitations. The New Year’s message will be delivered by Chhayanaut’s Executive President, Sarwar Ali. The event will conclude with the performance of the national anthem.

This year, a semi-circular stage measuring 72 feet in length and 30 feet in width has been constructed from east to west at Ramna Batamul. The stage includes five tiers. On the morning of Pohela Boishakh, nearly 150 vocalists and instrumentalists joined their voices and instruments to welcome the new year in harmonious unison.

Meanwhile, from early morning, children, women, and men arrived at Ramna dressed in traditional Boishakhi attire. Everyone shares the hope that the year will begin by wiping away the sorrows of the past and ushering in a fresh new beginning. All expressed a collective desire to build a Bangladesh of equality and unity, leaving behind all forms of division and discrimination.

Since 1967, Chhayanaut, one of the country’s most esteemed cultural institutions, has been organizing Pohela Boishakh celebrations at Ramna Batamul. This year too, the Bengali year 1432 was welcomed from this very sacred space.