Pahela Baishakh, the traditional New Year’s Day of the Bengali people, is celebrated on April 14 with an array of festivities. The streets are filled with the masses, all enjoying the day, dressed in new attires and looking jubilant.

The most colourful celebration of the Bangla New Year began at the Ramna Batamul at dawn with an elaborate programme presented by Chhayanaut, a leading cultural troupe, with Tagore’s famous song ‘Esho Hey Baishakh, Esho, Esho’ (come O Baishakh, come) under the banyan tree at the Ramna Park.

Students of the Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka University brought out the main procession as part of the celebration on the first day of the Bangla calendar, while the DU vice-chancellor led the rally in the morning with different themes in a traditional manner.

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) arranged an elaborate programme featuring solo and group dance recitals, songs and recitations on the premises of BSA and the National Theatre Hall in the evening to welcome the Bangla New Year 1425.