Pahela Baishakh Celebrations 2025 and 1432 Bangabda

We are going to celebrate Pohela Boishakh. The celebration marks the advent of new Bengali New Year (which in Bengali language is referred to as ‘Bangabda’) 1432 to all the 250 million Bengalis across the globe. From the Indian perspectives we feel proud to state that there are 80 million Bengalis based across this vast nation India. Whereas in Bangladesh we find that there are hundred percent citizens speak Bengalis.

If I trace out the roots behind observance of the day, let retrace with some historical anecdotes for the cognizance of my readers. As Bangabda 1432 is just knocking at the door. Despite this writer witness the observance of Pohela Boishakh in Kolkata, Shantiniketan and Tripura, still I would not hesitate to admit candidly the observance at Dhaka seems unique. The early morning gathering takes place at Ramna, a well-known cultural hub of the Bangladesh capital Dhaka. The Ramna gathering is organised by Chhayanaut Cultural center based in the Dhanmondi of Dhaka city. The key persons in this regard was Dr Shanjida Khatun along with her daughter in law, Mrs Laisa Ahmad Lisa carried on this historical gathering. Though in this year’s celebrations all Tagore lovers will sorrowfully miss out Mashima Sanjida Khatun. Just couple of days back she became mixed up with stars. Though we are badly sorrowful on account of her sad demise. Birth and death are integral parts of life. Mashima contributed so intensively towards the upliftment, she will reminisced through her creative pursuits. Post Masima’s demise, the management of this glorious cultural institute of Bangladesh will be managed by Laisa Ahmad Lisa and Khairul Anam Shakil.

In order to write about Pohela Boishakh, it is always relevant to throw light about the historical aspect connect with the observance. It is celebrated not only in Bangladesh, but also in the Indian states of West Bengal and Tripura. In other parts of India, the day is observed under different names. But I shall not touch upon last named point.

We are well aware of that Pohela Boishakh marks the first day of Bengali calendar year. Suppose the new Bengali New Year will be 1432 Bangabda from the previous year 1431. Which in English calendar year we have welcomed 2025 on January 1. The origin of Pohela Boishakh is linked deeply with King Shoshanko of erstwhile Bengal. The concept of the Bengali era was propounded by King Shoshanko in the year 594 A.D. To add excitement to my column, I find from my available Data, that during the Mughal rule, tax used to be collected as per the norms of Islamic Hijri calendar, which was no aligned with solar agriculture cycles. In order to initiate the process, Bengalis initiate the process of Pohela Boishakh. This paved the way towards the development of Bengali language along with calendar which has been renamed as Bangabda. From another angle, I find that Mughal Emperor introduced a new tax system, which is based on Solar calendar named Bangabda. This later on strengthened the observance of Pohela Boishakh as the official Bengali New Year.

As regards the last above, I find not only the citizens of Bangladesh, even the citizens of the Indian state of West Bengal and Tripura observe Pohela Boishakh amidst euphoria and gaiety. On this auspicious day younger generations wear new dress thereby forgetting the previous year’s sorrow so that the New Year becomes a year of hopes and aspirations for the Bengalis of not only the above nations, but also residing in various other countries of the globe. What this writer evinced that the previous Bengali calendar year was very disappointing. The political turmoil in Bangladesh since August 5, along with the communal riots in some parts of India also added sorrow in the mind and heart of Bengalis of both nations. Due to August 5, 2024, political coup in Bangladesh, Indian economy has come to a grinding halt.

Now let me analyse why the Indian economy has arrived at a grinding halt. It is known to us that from a long time back there are quite lot of Bangladeshis visit Indian cities of Kolkata, Chennai, New Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai for treatment purposes as well as tourists. But after 5th August 2024 coup, the flow of Bangladeshi citizens has no doubt reduced drastically. All restaurants, hotels and departmental stores are struggling. It is dearly felt by the rational minded Indians that peace processes should begin soon. I mean in Bangladesh. Not only India is very much in favour of initiation of peace process, apart from her, there are various other powerful global forces who are very much in favour of restoration of peace process in Bangladesh.

My respected readers might be surprised that why I write the issues of business, trade, commerce and economics in the midst of this column. The reason behind it is very plain and simple. It was since August 5, 2024, the massive political coup in Bangladesh has badly marred the erstwhile pleasant relations between the two nations. That is why I raise this issue because during the next year’s celebrations citizens of both nations should be able to enjoy the next year’s celebrations amidst euphoria and gaiety.

Apart from the above process, there are various literary aspects deeply involved in connection with the celebrations of Pohela Boishakh. Poet and Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore in his various creative pursuits wrote vividly about the observance of the day. As per the views of Tagore it is learnt that Pohela Boishakh every new during Bengali calendar year is a yardstick for the Bengalis in every aspect of life. This gives us more encouragement to prosper well in upcoming days of our life. Tagore said,’ in every aspect of our life we should always confident and courageous to overcome any unfordable situations in life. We should always think positives of our life.’

Apart from the above Rabindranath Tagore composed numerous songs which are stated as follow:

‘Eso Hey Boishakh-----‘
‘Banglar Mati Banglar Jal’
‘Aamar Sonar Bangla----‘
‘Hey Nutan Dekha Dik Ar Bar---‘
‘Nabo Anonde Jago---‘
‘Premero Joare---‘

From the historical aspect observance of Pohela Boishakh has another significance. There is a common belief among cultural loving Bengalis of both India and Bangladesh. That through the observance of the day on the first day of Boishakh we also begin the prelude to mark the observance of the birth anniversary of poet and Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Anyhow Bengalis might be apt in our thoughts that from Pohela Boishakh we begin the prelude to pay homage to Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. Rest of my feelings about Gurudev will be interpreted vividly in my separate column.

Pohela Boishakh is also celebrated in other parts of India in different names. The details of the celebrations of Pohela Boishakh in other parts of India which are stated as follow:

West Bengal-Pohela Boishakh
Tripura-Pohela Boishakh
Assam- in some parts of the state as Pohela Boishakh whereas in other parts as Bihu.
Punjab-Baishakhi
Kerala- Vishu
Tamil Nadu-Puthandu

Now coming to the speciality behind the observance of Pohela Boishakh. Though it is linked deeply with the observance of the day as a cultural festival of the Bengalis. From another angle the day should be treated as commercial festival.

In the Indian state of West Bengal and North Eastern state of Tripura, it is well known to us that the trading communities observe the day as ‘Natun Khata’. This means opening new books of account for the upcoming new Bengali calendar year. In the same the day is also celebrated all over Bangladesh.

Summation of my views, one point strikes our mind. That humanity should be always open minded to all sections of societies in India and Bangladesh.  During the upcoming days of New Bengali calendar year it should be our endeavour we must lead an eventful life along with helping poor and downtrodden sections of societies with amiability and cordiality.


Sujayendra Das is a
columnist based in Kolkata, India.