Published on 03:07 PM, April 13, 2023

Hoichoi's ‘Celeb Adda’ celebrates the noboborsho essence

Photo: Facebook

With the Bengali New Year, Noboborsho knocking on our doors, memories of past celebrations and the plans for the next ones rule our hearts. This seems like the best occasion to get to know what this means to our favourite celebrities. Hoichoi's recent talk show, "Celeb Adda" is an endeavour to bring you just that.

Subhashree Ganguly, Anirban Chakrabarti, Madhumita Sarcar, Angana Roy, Mosharraf Karim and Anirban Bhattacharya discuss their experiences of Pohela Baishakh on this program.

Subhashree reminisced about her childhood Noboborsho celebrated in the suburbs. She recalls the Halkhata ceremonies, where businesses open new accounts and celebrate that with religious and cultural festivities. She shared how those days were very different from her current days in Kolkata, but talked about the plans she has with her family for the upcoming one. Donning traditional clothes and having traditional food, Noboborsho to her is about celebrating her Bengali roots.

Anirban Chakrabarti, the fan favourite Eken Babu, stressed on the less emotional involvement that Noboborsho now has, than that it had in his childhood days. The famous Halkhata culture often included serving cold drinks in shops, and he believes that feeling used to be entirely different. However, by spending time with family and crew, he plans to have a great Noboborsho this year.

Madhumita enthusiastically expressed her Pohela Baishakh rituals. She likes spending time with her family on this day, praying together and eating homemade food. She said, she usually doesn't have work on such special days, but when she does, she celebrates the new year with her crew; feeding each other the famous Bengali sweetmeat Roshogolla.

Angana, who hails from Asansol, talked about the unfortunate loss of communal affection in the current society. Once upon a time when people from different areas used to visit each other regularly, now even neighbours rarely know one another. Regretting this loss of innocence, she wishes that the new year brings positivity and peace.

Bangladesh's favourite Mosharraf Karim talked about the Noboborsho celebrations distinct to Bangladesh. The Ramna Botomul performances by Chhayanaut and the massive art rally by Charukola Institute are dear to him. He plans to visit his friends and celebrate all day. He recalled his experiences as a child, seeing boats full of happy people returning from village fairs. These colourful memories mark his connection with the Bengali New Year.

Anirban talked about his childhood days in Medinipur. Hailing from a business family, he recalled the necessary rituals and emotional celebrations that were quintessential to the Noboborsho. He also talked about his connection with the Bengali calendar, and celebrating his Bengali roots.

Hence, if you're a lover of talk shows, or you like Noboborsho celebrations like any other Bengali, this Hoichoi "adda" is something that will fit your palate.