The day's programmes included Baishakhi Mela, musical soirees, recitation, folk festival, colourful processions, exchange of greetings, distribution of sweets and opening of halkhata (business accounts).

Celebrations in Comilla
In observance of the day, cultural organisation Sammilita Sangskritik Jote organised a two-day programme last Friday and Saturday that included a rally, discussions and cultural function. It was followed by the distribution of Khoi-chira-muri among the participants of the rally. Traditional sports like cockfight and Hadu-du attracted crowd. Poem recitation, Baul songs and art competition were also included in the programme.

Sammilito Sangskritik Jote chalked out a day-long cultural programme to celebrate the first day of Bangla New year. Comilla BCS officer's forum, Comilla Sangeet Academy, Comilla Abritti Sangsad, Comilla Janantik and Rabindra Sangeet Shammilon Parishad undertook separate programmes to celebrate the day in a befitting manner. A two-day Baishakhi Mela was on at the Comilla Town Hall premises.

A three-day long Baishu festival of the Tripura indigenous community was inaugurated at Shalban Noya Court Bari on Wednesday. Tripura Upazila Kalyan Samity (TUKS) organised the festival. Secretary of the TUKS, Ananda Chandra Tripura presided over the inaugural function. Children and women made offerings of flowers on banana leaves in an adjacent pond on the occasion. It may be mentioned that the Baishu festival was observed after 150 years.

Wrishiz celebrates Pahela Baishakh
Cultural organisation Wrishiz celebrated Pahela Baishakh at Shishu Park premises. Jamila Alim, wife of legendary folk singer Abdul Alim, inaugurated the function. Besides regular activists of Wrishiz, renowned folk singers such as Malay Kumar Ganguli, Kalyani Ghosh, Kanan Bala Sarkar and Bipul Bhattacharjee rendered songs on the occasion.

As part of its Pahela Baishakh celebration Wrishiz honoured two legends of folk music: Abdul Alim and Kanai Lal Sheel. The family members of the music exponents also performed in the programme.

Shanto Mariam University of Creative Technology
Elaborate programmes to celebrate Pahela Baishakh were chalked out by Shanto Mariam University of Creative Technology. Popular band Black performed on the eve of Pahela Baishakh. The main attraction of the following day was the floats portraying the lifestyle of the indigenous people and their natural surroundings. A cultural programme featured eminent artistes performing traditional songs from Charjyapad as well as Tagore, Nazrul, songs of yesteryears and modern songs. Bauls from Kushtia and a traditional 'Bamboo dance' by the Chakmas were a focus of attention.

Sunsilk Baishakhi Chamak
International hair care brand Sunsilk organised an event titled Sunsilk Baishakhi Chamak near "Aparjeyo Bangla" and at Banani Club field. Booths at vantage points were set up offering free hair styling for young women. Women in red-bordered sarees with a variety of hairstyles were seen standing in queues. Many painted their faces with different designs.

Mirpur Sangskritik Oikya Parishad's arrangements
Comprising 40 different local organisations, Mirpur Sangskritik Oikya Parishad, brought out a procession on April 14. The procession started from the south side of Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium and was inaugurated by noted playwright Professor Momotaj Uddin Ahmed. Cultural personalities such as Nasiruddin Yousuff, Golam Kuddus, Liaquat Ali Lucky, Jhuna Chowdhury and others participated in the procession, which was followed by a cultural programme.