Bangalees' minds Illuminated with vibrant essence of Bengali New Year

The Bengali New Year, celebrated with immense enthusiasm and fervor throughout the country, is a festival deeply ingrained in the soul of Bengalis. People line the streets, deeply immersed in various cultural events. The Bengali New Year celebration illuminates the Bengali consciousness with vibrant spirit. Despite differences in religion and caste, this festival binds Bengalis together in unity.

Over the past few years, the Bengali New Year celebration has extended across the borders of India and Bangladesh, with Bengalis from both sides coming together in harmony. Despite the partition in 1947, this celebration has remained a symbol of unity. The barbed wires of borders couldn't divide the bonds of affection during this celebration.

However, amidst the joy of celebration, there's a poignant reality. Often, loved ones who are far away cannot be reunited during this time due to various reasons such as illness or urgent commitments. The mix of emotions during these celebrations, ranging from laughter to tears, underscores the significance of the occasion.

It's saddening yet true that even before the Language Movement of 1952, a local newspaper in Pakistan published an editorial opposing the celebration of Bengali New Year. In 1958, after Ayub Khan came to power, the government officially banned the Bengali New Year celebration. But can military rule suppress the essence of a nation?

In 1961, amidst the celebration of Rabindranath Tagore's birth centenary, the people of this land rose in cultural resistance against authoritarian rule. This movement continued with the establishment of "Chhayanaut Sangeet Bidyalay" in the late 1960s, which played a pivotal role in awakening the Bengali cultural consciousness. In 1964, the Bengali New Year celebration was officially revived in Dhaka, with the sunrise festivities at Ramna's banyan tree becoming a tradition. Regional governments declared this day as a public holiday, witnessing massive gatherings and festivities.

The year 1971 marked a significant turning point when the celebration of Pahela Boishakh was banned during the Liberation War. Because this day isn't just a festival; it embodies the collective identity and resilience of the Bengali people. The celebration of Bengali New Year has been instrumental in fostering unity among Bengalis, bridging the gap between urban and rural populations. It has become a platform for cultural resistance against oppressive regimes, instilling a sense of solidarity among people from all walks of life. This purity of culture served as a unifying force, much like during the Liberation War, transcending all differences and standing tall as a beacon of collective achievement.

Now this celebration is observed in cities, villages, and through various events, sports, and fairs. Numerous fairs are organized throughout the cities, each filled with locally produced goods. This is a characteristic of the Bengali New Year celebration. Alongside, there are arrangements for folk music, dance, storytelling, poetry recitation, and other cultural events that reflect Bengali identity.

For the past few years, the students of Charukala Institute have been engaging in street art. They create various sculptures like elephants, horses, tigers, birds, and monkeys. Countless masks are made, and all these elements form a colorful procession along the city streets. Accompanied by the beats of drums and madal (a traditional drum), and the strumming of dotara (a traditional string instrument), the students dance in the style of Bauls. This joyful ambiance not only embodies the celebration but also signifies a cultural resistance that flows through different forms of animals and birds.

Every nation celebrates various types of festivals, which are embraced by all. Festivals are one of the key elements in identifying a nation's culture. It is in these celebrations that the pulse of a nation's heritage echoes, and the spirit of unity among its people reverberates. Festivals transform; they endure, yet their essence remains unchanged, always resurfacing in new times.

Rabindranath Tagore, in his essay "The Day of Festival," expressed, "When is the festival of man? It is the day when man especially remembers his humanity, especially realizes it, that day. The day we are driven by your needs of survival, not that day; the day we anger our fellow beings with worldly joys and sorrows, not that day; the day we experience nature's rules like marionettes, not that day; that day we do not celebrate our festival; that day, we humans are like plants, common animals; that day we do not realize the greatest human power within ourselves. That day our homes echo with the wheel of the household cycle; but no music is heard. Every day a man is petty and lonely; but on the day of the festival, a man becomes great, on that day, he feels the power of all humanity, and celebrates it."

The festival symbolizes the manifestation of human unity in the shade of humanity. It's not just about formalities; it's about emotions, it's about identity. For Bengalis, festivals are not just about socializing or formalities. Here, no festival is mournful or a symbol of power; some are indicators of inter-community human affection. On the other hand, the diversity, uniqueness, and sweet appeal of these festivals have empowered the Bengalis with independence.

The Bengali New Year, a celebration of Bengali self-power, a festival of awakening humanity. It is the festival of rural economy. It is the dream of survival for the people. The Bengali New Year 1431 brings auspicious news to Bengali life, as if this nation is experiencing the greatness of humanity.

Author: Writer, columnist and president, Bangla Academy.