The New Nation - Internet Edition

TODAY, the Bengali New Year's Day is being celebrated throughout Bangladesh with the traditional enthusiasm. The first day of the Bengali month of Baishakh is counted as the fIrst day in the Bengali calendar. The observance of Pahela Baishakh has survived notwithstanding two hundred years of colonial rule followed by another nearly quarter century of subjugation. In fact, Pahela Baishakh has its origins rooted deep in the culture and tradition of this country and should be seen as an occasion of traditional and cultural festivity of its people.

Although an essentially indigenous celebration, the history of the day is traced back centuries ago to the rule of the imperial Mughals who once held sway over the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent including its richest part of Bengal. It was from the custom of the Mughal emperor Akbar that the tradition of paying their dues or taxes to the emperor's coffers by his subjects developed at around the first of the Bangla month of Baishakh. Therefore, the first of Baishakh came to be recognised as a sort of official start of activities or opening of accounts for the year and gradually developed into a tradition.

Most businesses on this day carry out the practice of halkhata or opening of new accounts books and celebrate it with jovial functions and distribution of sweets. Special local dishes and delicacies are prepared and served at many homes to add to the aura of the celebration. A feature of the celebrations is the holding of melas (fairs) with displays of local products and their artistry. Musical soirees are also held. All these things form a part of the distinctive cultural expression of the people. This is one occasion - apart from Independence and Victory days, and the Ekushey February - on which people, irrespective of their religion or caste or colour differences, throng the same venues to share festivities.