As the first light of the Bengali New Year approaches, Dhaka is slipping into a familiar rhythm of colour, music and anticipation, with preparations in full swing to welcome Pahela Baishakh through a blend of tradition, festivity and collective expression.
From the shaded grounds of Ramna Batamul to the bustling streets around Dhaka University, the capital is set to transform into a canvas of song, procession and shared cultural identity.
Celebrations will begin at sunrise on Tuesday with the iconic Chhayanaut programme at Ramna Batamul, where voices will rise in unison to usher in the new year – a ritual that has come to define the spirit of Baishakh. The BNP’s cultural wing, JASAS, is also set to hold a parallel arrangement.
Later in the morning, the much-anticipated Mongol Shobhajatra will wind its way through Shahbagh, TSC and Doel Chattar. Starting at 9am from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University, the procession – known for its towering motifs and symbolic masks – will carry this year’s message: “Noboborsher Oikotan, Gonotontrer Punurutthan”, or a call for unity and democratic renewal.
Authorities have set a 6pm deadline for all university programmes, with access to Ramna Park restricted to exit only after 5pm – a reminder of the careful balance between celebration and security.
Across the city, Baishakh will unfold in many forms.
At Rabindra Sarobar, thousands of voices will merge in “Hazar Konthe Borshoboron”, creating a morning chorus that stretches from dawn to mid-morning. In Banani, “Jatrabiroti” will bring together baul music, dance, puppet shows and a rural-style fair, while bioscope displays add a nostalgic touch.
Gulshan’s “Arka Baishakh 1433” will offer a more contemporary take, with music, food and performances spread across themed zones. Meanwhile, traditional fairs at Bangla Academy and Dhaka University will showcase handicrafts, nakshi kantha and the textures of rural craftsmanship.
Elsewhere, parks and open spaces will come alive with rides, concerts and community gatherings. At Kamal Ataturk Park, the “Lal Boishakhi” celebration will mix folk elements with live band performances, while in Bhatara, “Utshobe Boishakh” and the Prothom Alo Baishakhi Festival will turn into family-friendly hubs of art, storytelling and play.
The festive spirit is not confined to the capital alone.
Across the country, districts and upazilas are preparing their own processions and cultural programmes, extending the celebration down to the grassroots. Educational institutions will mark the day with their own events, while museums and archaeological sites will open their doors to the public, offering free entry to children, students and persons with disabilities.
As part of state arrangements, traditional meals will be served in prisons, hospitals and orphanages, ensuring that the spirit of the Bangla new year reaches beyond the celebratory spaces.
At Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, a five-day programme is already underway, weaving together music, dance and theatre. The initiative opened with orchestral and folk performances, alongside a staged jatra pala.
Today, the academy grounds will fill with the beat of drums and the chorus of “Esho He Boishakh”, as performers and audiences come together in a shared cultural moment. The celebrations will continue through the week, culminating in dance, folk music and a screening of the classic film Beder Meye Josna.
Baishakhi fairs, too, are adding to the festive landscape. From the Shilpakala Academy premises to Bangla Academy grounds and beyond, stalls of crafts, food and traditional goods are drawing crowds, with some fairs set to continue well past New Year Day.
In Dhaka and across Bangladesh, Pahela Baishakh is once again becoming more than a date on the calendar – it is a collective pause, a renewal of cultural memory, and a celebration of belonging.
