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Photos: Bangladesh celebrates Bengali New Year after two years

People celebrate Bengali New Year after two years of restrictions due to COVID-19.

Mongol Shobhajatra procession
Mongol Shobhajatra started as a rally to demand the democratic rights of the people in 1989 when the anti-autocratic movement was reaching its climax in Bangladesh [Mahmud Hossain Opu/Al Jazeera]
By Faisal Mahmud
Published On 14 Apr 2022

Bangladesh celebrated Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bengali New Year.

For two years in a row, the Pahela Baishakh celebration remained muted across the country due to coronavirus lockdowns.

This year, as the number of cases decline, the country launched full-scale celebrations to ring in the Bangla New Year 1429.

Considered the most important event in the country’s cultural calendar, this Bengali New Year was welcomed with immense gusto and pomp, even though the transition from spring to summer in this part of the world is not very pleasant because of the scorching heat.

The day started with Chhayanaut’e flagship curtain-raising event at Ramna Batamul in Dhaka at dawn.

“COVID-19 didn’t allow us to celebrate Pahela Baishakh for the past two years. The celebrations are incomplete if we don’t perform to music at Ramna Batamul, a stage that resonates with non-communal sentiments,” Laisa Ahmed Lisa, General Secretary of Chhayanaut, a premier cultural organisation, told Al Jazeera.

“I am relieved that we have been able to come back and perform here this year.”

Mongol Shobhajatra, a thematic, colourful parade which has been declared a cultural heritage by UNESCO, also made a full-fledged return after a two-year lull.

Trina Banik, a doctor who came to take part, said she was glad to be back.

“Mongol Shobhajatra is not just a mere rally to me, this colourful procession is the perfect way to start a new year amidst festivities,” she told Al Jazeera.

However, as Pahela Baishakh was being celebrated during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the festivities had been scaled down to some extent.

As per the directives issued by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), all Pahela Baishakh celebrations in the capital ended by 2pm. DMP also had taken additional security measures for the event due to “tips on militant activity from foreign allies”.

Saleem Samad, a veteran journalist, said he witnessed only 10 percent of the crowd that is usually present during regular times.

“This might be because of Ramadan. Excessive summer heat also plays its part. But I believe the strict police guideline discourages a lot of people to come here in numbers,” he told Al Jazeera.

Mongol Shobhajatra - the spectacular annual procession
Considered as the most important event in the country’s cultural calendar, this Bengali New Year was welcomed with immense gusto and pomp. [Mahmud Hossain Opu/Al Jazeera]
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At the procession, people were seen dancing and singing and frolicking in joy.
For two years in a row, the Pahela Baishakh celebration remained muted across Bangladesh due to coronavirus lockdowns. [Mahmud Hossain Opu/Al Jazeera]
People were seen buying trinket from the makeshift shops set up at the Dhaka University premises on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh
People were seen buying trinkets from the makeshift shops set up at the Dhaka University premises on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh. [Mahmud Hossain Opu/Al Jazeera]
singers from Chhayanaut are performing under the historic Batamul (under the banyan tree)
Singers are performing under an historic Batamul (banyan tree). The day started with Chhayanaut’e flagship curtain-raising event at Ramna Batamul in Dhaka at dawn. [Mahmud Hossain Opu/Al Jazeera]
A number of people were seen listening to the morning songs
A number of people were seen listening to the morning songs sung by Chhayanut. Some of them took precautions and wore masks but most of them were without masks. [Mahmud Hossain Opu/Al Jazeera]
Masks designed by the students of the Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka University are an important part of the celebration.
Masks designed by the students of the Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka University are an important part of the celebration. Mongol Shobhajatra, a thematic, colorful parade which has been declared a cultural heritage by UNESCO, also made a full-fledged return after a two-year lull. [Mahmud Hossain Opu/Al Jazeera]
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People from third gender are also taking part in the celebration.
People of third gender are also taking part in the celebration. [Mahmud Hossain Opu/Al Jazeera]
Three friends taking selfie at the Institute of Fine Arts Campus in Dhaka University.
Three friends taking a selfie at the Institute of Fine Arts campus in Dhaka University. [Mahmud Hossain Opu/Al Jazeera]
Coming together in groups and celebrating this joyous occasion
As Pahela Baishakh was being celebrated during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the festivities had been scaled down. [Mahmud Hossain Opu/Al Jazeera]