TV stars and their Pahela Baishakh

As Baishakh arrives on our doorsteps, the breeze of celebrations blow through the entire country and our celebrities are not out of its reach. Four prominent TV actors spoke to The Daily Star about their feelings of Baishakh, and their plans for this year. Excerpts:

Zahid Hasan

Baishakh is really an occasion for nostalgia. I look back at my early years, when we had great fun on the day at my hometown Sirajganj. Businessmen opened hal khata as per tradition. Putul nach (puppet show) was held at Baishakhi fair then. Mouth-watering sweetmeats like Roshogolla were brought to our home on the occasion of hal khata. We visited Baishakhi Mela (fair) and hung around with friends all day long. These days, Pahela Baishakh celebration is a lot of showing-off. Although a grand celebration is held here, I don't get that childhood feeling or amusement in it. Apart from all of that, I take the countrywide Baishakh celebration positively. I will stay in Dhaka this time and celebrate it with my wife and children.

Bipasha Hayat

I love to spend time with my family at any festival, and if the day is Pahela Baishakh, it is celebrated with grandeur. Besides, we artistes who can rarely meet each other on other days due to busy shooting schedule, get together at a special venue every year. I really enjoy this event. For me Baishakh is a festival that cuts across all barriers and builds harmony. I feel a special kind of spirit in myself on the occasion. There are arrangements for a wide range of sumptuous bharta-bhaji and panta-ilish. Before the celebrations, I make sure to stock Hilsa at home. I wear saree on the day. My younger sister Natasha has already gifted me a saree from her boutique house this year. As a visual artist, I have big family of artists. Besides, I have another family belonging to the TV and film industry. It is great pleasure to celebrate the day with all.

Bonna Mirza

Like every year, I will celebrate Pahela Baishakh with grand fervour. The artistes' association and four other orgaisations are going to celebrate the day jointly for the first time and the event will go on from dawn to dusk. As I'm a member of the association, I have been very busy with the arrangement. To me, the celebration will become unique this year. I will wear a saree specially designed by me. During childhood days, my mother arranged panta-ilish for Baishakh morning. It was originally a festival for farmers, but now the festival is for us all. We have to love our country and culture and become a pure Bangalee for all seasons.

Nawsheen Nahreen

I will celebrate the day this year differently. In the morning, we celebrate the day with 40 autistic children at Dhanmondi and hang out with them under the banner of Youth Bangla Cultural Forum. A painting competition has also been organised for them. Later, I will spend some time with my family. Afterwards, members of the TV and fraternity will get together at a fixed venue like every year. I wish you all a joyous Baishakh.