Port city celebrates Pahela Baishakh
City dwellers here on Thursday celebrated Bangla new year 1418, the biggest secular occasion for Bangalees, with traditional fervour, gaiety and in a festive atmosphere.
Celebration began with the rise of the sun. Attired in their new clothes and adorning masks, ladies in colourful saris and men in their traditional “panjabis” thronged DC hill premises.
Organised by Nabo Barsha Utjapan Parishad, the programme there began with a fascinating performance on flute of famous “Raga Bairabi” around 6:00am.
A sudden thundering rain in the morning could not dampen the spirit and joy of the city dwellers as they danced away to the tune of “dhaks” (drums), welcoming the year. The rain compelled a pause in the programme around 7:00am.
But the enthusiastic fans especially young men continued dancing and singing despite the rain. The programme resumed as the rain stopped around 9:00am.
Students of Fine Arts Institute of Chittagong University painted traditional “alpana” (motifs) and national flags on the face of people at the gathering spots.
The spots include Shirish Tala of Chittagong Railway Building, District Shipakala Academy, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad School premises and the institute at Sarson Road.
Charushilpi Sammilan Parisad brought out a colourful procession from the institute marching through the city carrying banners and placards painted with different traditional figures and symbols of our country's natural environment.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments