“Baishakhi Mela” is a traditional fair to celebrate the Bengali New Year. The first day of Bengali calendar is “Pahela Baishakh”. The “Pahela” means first and “Baishakh” is the first month. It is celebrated on 14th April in the Gregorian calendar each year. It is an integral part of Bengali culture. The central of local celebration is in the Ramna Park. People traditionally gather under banyan tree. Women traditionally wear saris made of white cloth with red border and men wear kurta and dhoti. Food is an important part of the Bengali New Year. People usually eat panta bhat (rice soaked in water), shutki (dried fish) and fried Hilsa fish.
I always celebrated the Bengali New Year in my home with my family members or my friends. But this year I celebrated it with Bangladesh Local guides at Suhrawardy Udyan in our 102 meet up with photo walk and the most enjoyable part was to visit the “Baishakhi Mela”. It was a memorable day for me.
I make a list for you with our traditional things I captured in the “Baishakhi Mela”.
Pottery
Pottery is one of the oldest and most widespread form of decorative arts. It is made from clay and hardened with heat. Clay is a natural product dug from the earth. The potter can form his product in many ways. Clay may be modeled by hand or with the assistance of a potter’s wheel. Then it must be fired to a high temperature to enable it to hold water.
Palm Leaf Fan
We usually call it “Tal Patar Pakha” (তাল পাতার পাখা). It is made by palm leaf. At first palm leaf is collected by the makers. Then it kept under the sunlight until the color is changed from green to brown. Then it cut by knife and sewed the side with or without cloth and fit with a bamboo stick. You can use it anywhere without any need of electricity.
Bamboo products
There are almost Twenty-six species of bamboo are available in Bangladesh. Three species that are used for industrial purposes are muli, talla and baira. It is a traditional crafts using bamboo as raw material. Bamboo is also being used to make attractive ashtrays, flower vases, cosmetic boxes, picture frames, mirror frames, pens etc. Bamboo products such as কুলা (winnowing fan), ঝুড়ি (basket), চালনি (sieve), ডালা (tray, specially used for drying pickles) are part of our everyday life.
Ektara
Ektara is a one stringed musical instrument commonly played by folk singers. It is a simple stringed instrument that is easy to make and fun to play. It is made from both wood and bamboo stick. I like its sound very much. It has a magical sound for refreshing the mind.
Glass Bangles (কাঁচের চুড়ি)
As a girl I think bangles are a must wear for girls/women, especially when it’s Pahela Baishakh. I like this colorful and clinking bangles very much. It is made from sand and it IS also fired to a high temperate to give it a shape of bangles.
Food
It cannot be imagined a “Baishakhi Mela” with no Sweet foods. Sugar Drop candy (বাতাসা), puffed rice balls (মুড়ির মোয়া), nimki (নিমকি), coconut chips (নারকেলের চিড়া) etc. are the main part of it. And I like the coconut chips very much.
Nagordola (নাগরদোলা)
Nagordola is an amusement ride popular in the fair. It is totally a hand driven ride. A Baishakhi mela without a nagordola is an absurd thought. It sliced through the air in a complete circle, like the second hand of a clock going too fast and creaking after every spin. I don’t know why I like its creaking sound*.*
So, what do you do to celebrate the new year? Please share with me. I am very interested to know about you and your culture.
Happy New Year!! শুভ নববর্ষ!!
