Dhaka welcomed the Bengali year 1433 on Tuesday with the customary dawn performance by Chhayanaut at Ramna Batamul and the Baishakhi Shobhajatra from Dhaka University’s Faculty of Fine Arts, as large crowds gathered across the capital for the country’s defining cultural festival.
Chhayanaut’s open-air programme at Ramna Batamul — held each year since 1967 — commenced at 6:15 am with a collective rendition of “Jago Alok-Logone”, a song penned by Ajoy Bhattacharya and set to music by Vishmadev Chattopadhyay.
The two-hour event, themed on a line from Tagore translated as “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high”, featured roughly 200 performers and drew an intergenerational audience.
Photo: Bonik Barta
The musical sequence spanned eight choral pieces, 14 solo turns and two poetry recitations, incorporating works by Kazi Nazrul Islam, Dwijendralal Ray and the mystic bard Lalon Fakir. Tributes were also extended to Salil Chowdhury, a composer of anti-British mass songs, and Motlub Ali, a songwriter active during the movement against Pakistani rule.
Later, the Baishakhi Shobhajatra set out from the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Dhaka. This year’s theme was “Harmony of the New Year, Resurrection of Democracy”. Organisers paraded five main motifs: a giant rooster signifying awakening; a dotara representing folk musical roots and a protest against recent harassment of Bauls; a wooden elephant modelled in the Sonargaon craft tradition; a dove for peace and coexistence; and a terracotta horse from the Kishoreganj tradition. While university authorities had banned the wearing of masks, participants brandished vivid hand-painted masks aloft instead.
Photo: Tawhiduzzaman Topu
Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury joined the procession, which wound past the Raju Memorial Sculpture, Doel Chattar and Bangla Academy before returning to the fine arts campus. Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor ABM Obaidul Islam led the procession. The university’s pro-vice chancellors, proctor, and teachers were also present.
Photo: Tawhiduzzaman Topu
At Rabindra Sarobar, a separate mass singing event drew a large crowd well before sunrise. Led by the renowned Rabindra Sangeet exponent Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya, the programme began with “Otho Otho Othore” as dawn broke and concluded with a collective welcome to the new year with the iconic anthem “Esho He Boishakh”.
Photo: Channel i
Performers included Rafiqul Alam, Fahim Hossain Chowdhury, Kiran Chandra Roy and Swati Sarkar, with recitation by Jayanta Chattopadhyay.
Elsewhere, the political party Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami marked the occasion under the banner of “Desheo Sangskritik Sangsad”. Its procession moved from the National Press Club to Ramna Park, with participants carrying traditional rural implements such as fish traps, husking paddles, casting nets and winnowing fans.
Speakers at a preceding rally urged the government to fortify indigenous cultural practices against what they described as “influences of foreign culture”.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman extended greetings to citizens at home and Bangla-speaking communities worldwide, describing Pahela Baishakh as a marker of the country’s history, culture and identity.
In a message marking the day, he noted that for centuries, the day has returned every year with a call for renewal, inspiring people to leave behind past burdens and move forward with fresh hopes and aspirations.
He noted that Pohela Baishakh has a deep connection with the region’s agriculture, nature and agrarian economic activities. “Even in this era of advanced information technology, farmers still determine their cultivation schedules in harmony with nature,” he said.
Photo: PMO
Highlighting the rich traditions associated with the festival, the prime minister said that events like Baishakhi fairs, Baishakhi Shobhajatra, and Halkhata reflect the diversity and beauty of Bangladeshi culture and strengthen social unity.
The prime minister said the Bangla New Year brings new expectations and possibilities, while the rejuvenation of nature, combined with human optimism, creates a vibrant festive atmosphere.
Photo: Bonik Barta
Security was visibly reinforced. Twenty platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) patrolled Ramna Batamul, the Hotel InterContinental perimeter, Kakrail, Matsya Bhaban, the Institution of Engineers gate, Doel Chattar, Shahbagh National Museum, Shishu Park, and Rabindra Sarobar in Dhanmondi to ensure the crowds could gather unimpeded.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) also put in place extensive, multi-tier security arrangements to ensure that people from all walks of life can celebrate Pohela Boishakh.
Photo: Tawhiduzzaman Topu
A large contingent of police personnel, both in uniform and plainclothes, was deployed across the city. Specialised units including SWAT, Mounted Police, K-9 units, Bomb Disposal Unit, DB and CTTC remained on duty at key locations, while dog squads and bomb disposal teams swept important venues.
CCTV cameras, still and video cameras and drones were used to ensure multi-layer surveillance. Observation towers were installed at key points, and additional forces were stationed on rooftops for enhanced monitoring.