Feature

DU campus on the day of Pahela Baisakh, 1414

Taslima Rawshan Tinni

Pahela Baisakh is a special occasion for each and every Bengali. The day is observed by the whole nation. With the song "Esho he baishakh ", the Bangalees welcome Pahela Baisakh or "Noboborsho" (the Bengali New Year).

Men wear Punjabi and women, white sarees with red borders. Everyone visits family and friends. Food is a major focus of the celebration. This New Year day is celebrated with great fervor in villages with sweets, different kinds of pithas and special foods, folk songs, jatra, dance and lots of enjoyment. Even in cities, fairs and cultural programs are arranged everywhere. Rabindra sangeet, Nazrul sangeet, and folk songs are a part of every program.

The most important event of the day is to open a halkhata or new book of accounts. This is a wholly financial affair. In villages as well as in cities, professionals and businessmen close their old book of accounts and open new ones. They invite their customers to share some snacks and renew their business relationship. People try to clear their accounts with local shopkeepers.

At University of Dhaka

A huge number of people gathered at Dhaka University campus to welcome the first day of Baisakh, 1414.The whole place was a blend of red and white. Different Departments, Faculties, Institutes, and Halls organized various programs. The roads of DU campus were filled with people.

Institute of Fine Arts

To welcome the Bengali New Year, the Institute of Fine Arts of University of Dhaka arranged a colorful Mangal shovajatra (procession) in the morning at 10.00 and paraded round the campus. Big tigers, elephants and turtles were made by the students for this shovajatra. Handmade and colorful masks made the procession all the more attractive. People from all walks of life participated in this event. The theme of the shovajatra is to seek the well being of all.

Faculty of Business studies

A similar ceremony welcoming the New Year was held at the Business faculty premises. Department of

Finance and Department of Marketing organized separate programs. The Finance department arranged a daylong fair that included stalls of handicrafts, foods etc. To add more color to the festivities, a Nagordola was placed at the yard of faculty. The Marketing department arranged a stage show “Pran Baisakhi Utsav” where renowned singers performed.

Faculty of Arts

The Bot tola of Arts faculty was also a prominent place where different programs were organized. Concerts were held in front of the faculty building there. Stalls of various items were also set up.

Central Shaheed Minar

A three-day-long cultural function was arranged here.

Teacher's and Student's Centre

Another crowded place was the TSC chattar. People of all ages had gathered there and were enjoying the day. On both sides of the roads, small shops of ornament, book, handicrafts, and food were made. A program named “Baisakhi utsav” started from 15th April in TSC.

Halls

Almost all the halls arranged various cultural activities.

Besides these places, all of DU was replete with enjoyment and various cultural activities. A number of people were present in TSC, Central library, Fuller road, Mall Chattar, Hakim chatter, Karjon hall, and Bangla academy. In many places small stages were made for programs Spontaneous participation of the people in different programs made the celebration even more joyous.

(Student of Dept. of AIS, DU)