Preparations for various events, including traditional processions and cultural shows, to welcome the Bengali New Year 1433 at different venues across the capital Dhaka are under way, resonating hopes for a new beginning.
Dhaka University has announced that all Pahela Baishakh events on campus must be concluded by 5:00pm on April 14 which falls on Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bengali New Year.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police on Wednesday held a coordination meeting at its headquarters in the capital regarding security and traffic control measures for various events to be held across the city on the occasion, said a DMP press release.
Presided over by DMP acting commissioner Md Sarwar, representatives of the cultural affairs ministry, Dhaka University, various intelligence agencies, specialised units of the police, different cultural organisations, Dhaka city corporations and Fire Service and Civil Defence, among others, were present at the meeting.
The DU Faculty of Fine Arts, along with various other departments and residential halls of the university, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, Chhayanaut, Wrishiz Shilpi Gosthi and Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Baul Dal will organise morning programmes.
The FFA will lead a colourful procession, renamed ‘Baishakhi Shobhajatra’ this year. Formerly the procession was called ‘Mangal Shobhajatra’.
Meanwhile, cultural organisation Chhayanaut will host its signature cultural show at Ramna Batamul to celebrate the occasion.
On Tuesday, teachers, students and alumni of the FFA were seen busy preparing different items for the Shobhajatra as the Bengali New Year 1433 is knocking at the door.
Kaoser Hassan Togor, member secretary of the organising committee of the procession, stated that the procession would feature five structures: a rooster, an elephant, a tepa putul (pressed doll), a pigeon and a dotara (a traditional plucked string folk instrument).
‘The rooster symbolises the morning call to awaken everyone, marking a new era of democracy following the student-led mass uprising and subsequent national elections,’ he said.
The pigeon represents peace, while the dotara symbolises solidarity with the baul artistes of Bangladesh.
This year’s slogan, ‘New Year’s Harmony, Resurgence of Democracy,’ emphasises inclusivity and the participation of people from all walks of life.
The faculty dean and committee convener, Md Azharul Islam Sheikh, noted that they planned to complete all preparations by April 12.
‘Usually, we work for over a month to complete preparations, but this year the university remained closed for about a month for the Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr holidays in February-March. However, teachers and students are working hard to finish the preparations by April 12, as we have Chaitra Sankranti programmes on April 13,’ he said.
He also mentioned that a record number of booths would be set up, which would sell artworks and souvenirs to fund the festival programme.
Regarding the renaming of the procession by the government, Azharul stated that the government was ensuring security and promoting the festival.
‘The title is a less important issue. We hope that the new name brings a new beginning and heals divisions among cultural activists and art lovers,’ he added, noting that the involvement of the cultural affairs ministry and different cultural organisations in the procession would add glory to the event.
As part of the festival, ‘Baagdautta’ — a jatra produced by the FFA — will be staged on April 15 and ‘Devi Sultana’ — a jatra performed by Netrakona-based jatra troupe Prottay Bangladesh — will be staged on April 16.
However, a FFA teacher expressed concern that the university was losing its autonomous character, noting that the government had renamed the faculty-led event twice.
Others noted that the participation of alumni and renowned artists had decreased gradually due to the perceived politicisation of what was once a more vibrant event.
Chhayanaut general secretary Laisa Ahmed Lisa said that they had been preparing for three months for the traditional show at Ramna Batamul.
‘Rehearsals are in full swing, and we will announce the full details of the programme at a press conference on April 12,’ she said.
Various organisations, including the DU FFA, Chhayanaut, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigosthi and the Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation will also organise events for Chaitra Sankranti, the last day of the Bengali year, on April 13.
