In the narrow lanes of Old Dhaka, where tradition once met commerce in a vibrant annual ritual, the red ledger books of “halkhata” are losing their place. Traders say that the centuries-old Bengali New Year custom – marking the opening of new accounts and settlement of dues – is fading amid economic strain and the rise of digital bookkeeping.
At a roadside shop in Shankharibazar, Noor Alam carefully arranged stacks of long, red account books, a trade he has been part of for nearly three decades. But demand is no longer what it once was.
“There are more shops now, but business is fragile,” he said. “Traders no longer buy halkhata like before.”
Traditionally, merchants record transactions, especially outstanding dues, in these red ledgers. On the Bengali New Year, they close old accounts and open new ones, inviting customers, well-wishers and acquaintances to their shops to settle balances over sweets, symbolically beginning the year afresh.
Over generations, the practice evolved into a distinct festive occasion known as halkhata, deeply embedded in Old Dhaka’s commercial culture.
Yet visits to Shankharibazar, Tantibazar and Shyambazar – the historic centres of the celebration – suggest a subdued atmosphere this year. Decorations are sparse, and the festive buzz that once defined the areas is largely absent.
Traders say while halkhata is still observed across Old Dhaka, its traditional grandeur has diminished.
“The celebration is not as elaborate as before, but people still come,” said Mohammad Siddiq, a betel leaf wholesaler in Shyambazar. He plans to decorate his shop in the evening, offering sweets, laddus and seasonal fruits to visitors.
The timing of the observance also varies. While the Bengali New Year is nationally celebrated on 14 April, some traders in Old Dhaka follow the traditional calendar and mark halkhata on 15 April.
“In our area, we observe it on the 15th,” said Sudipta Saha, a gold trader in Tantibazar. “People will visit shops, share sweets and settle some of their old dues.” He added that religious rituals, including puja, remain an important part of the occasion for many.
Despite the downturn in trade this year, some traders hope the festival will provide a modest boost to business.
But structural changes may prove harder to reverse. The shift towards digital accounting has sharply reduced demand for physical ledgers.
“Everything is digital now,” said Mohammad Mohsin, a halkhata seller in Tantibazar. “That’s why the demand for these books has declined.”
For traders like Noor Alam, the change signals more than a dip in sales – it marks the gradual erosion of a cultural practice that once brought business and community together at the start of every Bengali year.
