Bengali New Year

Stars reflect on childhood memories of Pahela Baishakh

As the Bengali New Year arrives, four prominent cultural figures—Abul Hayat, Tariq Anam Khan, Fazlur Rahman Babu, and Fahmida Nabi— have shared their cherished memories of the cherished Bangladeshi festival with The Daily Star.
14 April 2025, 04:00 AM

Universities make last-minute preparations for Pahela Baishakh

Universities make last-minute preparations for Pahela Baishakh
13 April 2025, 12:16 PM

Why the backlash against Mongol Shobhojatra is worrying

The backlash against Pahela Baishakh and broader Bengali culture is unlikely to be resolved any time soon.
17 April 2023, 13:58 PM

6 books to enjoy the spirit of Pahela Baishakh

These books, among many others, can help readers feel the spirit of the Bangali new year in all its vibrant colours
13 April 2023, 08:33 AM

No clash between religion and culture: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said culture has no clash with religion -- referring to numerous attacks on cultural programmes including bombings at Pahela Baishakh celebration.
13 April 2022, 07:38 AM

The essence of Pohela Baishakh in Bangla literature

All things colourful make up the Bangla New Year—boisterous celebrations of nature, art work, music, food, the quintessential Bangali warmth, and the Mongol Shobhajatra as its crowning jewel
14 April 2021, 14:22 PM

Trump admin wishes joyous Pahela Baishakh

The Trump administration greets Bengalis across the world on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bangla New Year.
13 April 2018, 04:43 AM

Obama’s greetings on Pahela Baishakh

US President Barack Obama today sent his greetings to Bangladeshi peoples on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bengali New Year.
14 April 2016, 14:34 PM

PM urges all to exercise tolerance

Extending her heartfelt greetings to all, including expatriate Bangladeshis on Pahela Baishakh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina says everybody needs to exercise tolerance as it is essential for the country's uninterrupted development.
14 April 2016, 10:37 AM

Evening ban to limit festivity

Slapping a ban on outdoor programmes in the evening of Pahela Baishakh should not be a way to protect women; it will only add fuel to extremism opposed to women's freedom, rights activists said yesterday.
12 April 2016, 18:00 PM

No hilsa on Bangladesh PM Hasina's menu

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has decided to strike hilsa off tomorrow's menu at her official residence, Gono Bhaban, in an effort to discourage people from having jatka (hilsa fry) on Pahela Baishakh.
12 April 2016, 18:00 PM

‘Will not have Hilsa on Pahela Baishakh’

Hilsa, our national fish, has become an inseparable part of Pahela Baishakh (Bangla New Year) celebrations, but experts say the practice has no roots in a thousand years of Bengali tradition.
9 April 2016, 09:19 AM

Persona offers Pahela Baishakh discounts

Celebrating the occasion of the Bengali New Year, Persona will be offering 12% off on rebonding and 10% off on hair colouring.
28 March 2016, 18:00 PM

Police brutality again!

We deplore in the strongest possible terms the police brutality on the activists, some of them women, who were demanding the arrest and trial of criminals who, as an orgainsed gang, sexually harassed a number of women during the Bengali New Year.
11 May 2015, 18:00 PM

The outrage and issues thereof

THERE is understandable outrage at the alleged sexual assault of at least 20 women by a large group of men during the Bengali New Year celebrations at the Dhaka University.
24 April 2015, 18:00 PM

[WATCH] How Pahela Baishakh came to be

Muntasir Mamun, Professor of History at University of Dhaka, and Hashem Sufi, Researcher of History, tell us the facts behind how Bengali New Year celebration on Pahela Baishakh came to be.
19 April 2015, 14:53 PM

Opinion: Eyes wide shut

It took four days for the police to admit that at least 20 women were sexually assaulted by a large group of men during the Pahela Baishakh celebrations at Dhaka University.
19 April 2015, 10:06 AM

Sexual harassment: Protests flood Facebook, Twitter

On the fourth day following the ruthless and inhuman sexual harassment on women at TSC on Pahela Baishakh, the social media continue to be flooded with protests from users, condemning the heinous act.
18 April 2015, 13:52 PM

Foolproof security for Pohela Boishakh: DMP

Police today assured of foolproof security throughout Dhaka ahead of Pohela Boishakh celebrations – the Bangla new year.
12 April 2015, 11:13 AM