Pahela Baishakh Celebrations In Dhaka

Thousands of people assembled under the Bodhi Vriksha (A holy tree under which Lord Buddha got enlightenment) of Ramna Park to hail Pahela Baishakh. This year, Chhayanaut's Borshoboron programme, themed on “Peace, Humanity and Rights of Human Beings”, set off with sitar recital on Raga Parameshwari (created by Pandit Ravi Shankar) by Ebadul Huq Shaikat. 

The event featured performance of songs composed by Poncho-kobi, folk songs, songs of the contemporary time and recitation of poems. Chhayanaut artistes' rendition of the songs especially “Dhwanilo Rey” and “O Alor Potho Jatri” echoed the speech delivered by Dr. Sanjida Khatun. “Behaviours devoid of morality are hindrances to peace of people, society, country and the world at large. We want peace, harmony and safeguarding of all our rights as human beings,” said the cultural icon.   

Rabirag held a celebration programme inside Ramna Park to welcome Pahela Baishakh. Artistes of the troupe started off a choral performance with a medley of Tagore songs. Sadi Mohammad's performance of “Gram Chhara Oi Ranga Matir Poth” was beautiful, as was Tanveer Alam Shawjeeb's rendition of Nazrul Sangeet “Porodeshi Megh”. Nrityanchal artiste Rachel Priyanka Perris danced to a Tagore song “Oi Je Meghe-er Kol-e” while Monira Parveen with co-artistes performed another group dance at the event.    

One of the hubs of the Baishakhi celebration in the capital was the Faculty of Fine Art (FFA) of University of Dhaka. The Mongol Shobhajatra, brought out by the students and teachers of FFA has been one of the major attractions of Pahela Baishakh since 1989. The theme for the year was “Onek Alo Jalte Hobe Moner Ondhokar-e”. The colourful procession contained the replicas of a royal elephant delineating Jamini Roy's famous folk motif, tiger, lion, birds, fish, tepa putul, goats, horse and various colourful masks. What drew attention was a fisted hand that gouged the throat of evil forces. A good number of foreigners joined the Mongol Shobhajatra. Artistes and troupes including the popular band Joler Gaan rendered songs on the Chaitra Sankranti night at Bokultola, while FFA artists staged a traditional jatrapala to celebrate the occasion.    

Artistes of Wrishij Shilpi Goshthi welcomed the Bangla New Year with the performance of music, dance and recitation by noted and promising artistes and famous folk troupe Dohar. The event was held at Narkel Bithi Chattar near Shishu Park). Wrishij's 33rd year of celebration of Pahela Baishakh attracted a huge crowd, thanks to the Fakir Alamgir's performance of folk songs.