The Bangla New Year ‘Pahela Baisakh’ is being celebrated in Bangladesh with traditional enthusiasm and fervour. The day began with a grand performance by the cultural group Chhayanaut at the ‘Batmool’, the Banyan root, at the historic Ramana Park in Dhaka. The programme included classical songs, Rabindra Sangeet and poetry recitals among others as a continuation of the practice which was started in 1967 to celebrate the new year.
‘Pahela Baishakh’ symbolises the inclusive and joyful culture of the Bangali people. Cutting across the barriers of religion and community, class and region, gender and age people participated in the celebration all across Bangladesh. Several other programmes are also being organised in Dhaka on this occasion, including ‘Mongol Shobhajatra’, which has been recognised as ‘intangible cultural heritage of humanity’ by UNESCO in 2016.
Meanwhile, Chittagong-based cultural organisation Sammilita Pahela Baishakh Udjapan Parishad on Sunday cancelled a Bengali New Year celebration event as the stage set up for the programme was vandalised by miscreants on Sunday evening.
Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser of the Interim Government Professor Muhammad Yunus have extended heartfelt greetings to the people of Bangladesh on the occasion of the Bangla New Year 1432.
