The entire Dhaka University, Suhrawardy Udyan, Ramna Park and its adjacent areas turned into a huge fair ground on Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bengali New Year.
Amid different programmes arranged by New Year celebration organisers since morning, traders opened makeshift stalls there on Monday.
A festive mood prevailed all around with the flutes, drums and tambourines adding to the rejoicing people’s enjoyment of whirligigs, a traditional toy.
People of all ages, mostly wearing red and white dresses, joined the celebrations.
Gathering of the people started with ‘Borsho Boron’ (welcoming of the New Year) at Ramna Batamul by cultural organisation Chhayanaut and ‘Mongol Shobhajatra’ (auspicious parade) taken out from the Institute of Fine Arts at Dhaka University.
This year’s celebration saw some extra-ordinary events like Dhuti (loincloth for men) parade and Lungi parade.
Traders set up makeshift shops in Dhaka University, Doyel Square, High Court and Suhrawardy Udyan areas and in front of Ruposi Bangla Hotel.
A 10-day Baishakhi fair, organised by Bangla Academy and Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation, began on the academy premises on Monday as part of the Bengali New Year celebrations.
Handicraft manufacturers from across the country are taking part in it.
A participant from Jhenidah, Gopendranath Chakrabarti, who makes toys with sponge-wood, said the crowd was the thickest at the Baishakhi fair in the Dhaka University area.
An ornament-maker from Dhamrai in Dhaka district, Dilip Sarker, said the business at the fair was brisk.
Handicrafts, clothes, furnishings, traditional musical instruments and food were among the fair’s key attractions.
The National Museum authorities have arranged a three-day pitha (cake) festival and handicraft fair on its premises.
Many came from places outside Dhaka to join the festivities in the capital.
Obaidur Rahman from Sylhet, who attended Borsho Boron at Chhayanaut with his wife and son, said he was here for second consecutive year.
Source: Bd news24
