Pahela Boishakh is the first day of Bangla newyear. The day is a public holiday. This day has a special significance for us as it is a part of Bangalee culture and tradition. People from all walks of life, irrespective of their ethnic identity or religious beliefs, celebrate the day with traditional festivities. On this day, the whole of Bangladesh is in a festive mood. The day inspires people to start life with renewed hopes aspirations.

Every year the day is celebrated traditionally. People wake up early in the morning, have a bath and wear traditional clothes. Women wear white sarees with red borders and adorn themselves with colourful churis and flowers, while men dress themselves in pajamas and punjabis. It is a day when people love eating traditional food.

One of the most colourful events of the day is held in Dhaka. Early in the morning, people in hundreds and thousands pour in from all directions to attend the cultural function at Ramna Batamul organised by Chhayanaut. The cultural programme begins just at sunrise and the renowned artists of the country take part in the programme that starts with the famous Tagore-song Esho-he-Boishakh, Esho Esho……Artists also sing traditional folk songs, and perform classical dances to the rhythm of musical instruments.

People also come to join the colourful processions, the biggest carnival of the country, organised by the Fine Arts students of Dhaka University. The procession usually displays the traditional practices of Bangalee culture. The masks and wreaths worn by the people are so fascinating! Often they symbolise contemporary worries or happiness in the national life. It attracts an increasing number of foreign tourists every year.

The day is also observed all over the country. Different social and cultural organisations and educational institutions celebrate the day with their own cultural programmes.

On this day, newspapers bring out special supplements. There are also special programmes on the radio and television.

The celebration of Pahela Boishakh marks a day of cultural unity for the whole nation.

Bangla Translation:পহেলা বৈশাখ বাংলা নববর্ষের প্রথম দিন। দিনটি একটি সরকারি ছুটির দিন। এই দিনটি আমাদের জন্য বিশেষ তাৎপর্য বহন করে, কারণ এটি বাঙালি সংস্কৃতি ও ঐতিহ্যের একটি অংশ। জাতি, ধর্ম, বর্ণ নির্বিশেষে সব শ্রেণির মানুষ ঐতিহ্যবাহী উৎসবের মাধ্যমে দিনটি উদযাপন করে। এদিন সারা বাংলাদেশ উৎসবমুখর হয়ে ওঠে। দিনটি মানুষকে নতুন আশা ও আকাঙ্ক্ষা নিয়ে জীবন শুরু করার অনুপ্রেরণা দেয়।

প্রতি বছর দিনটি ঐতিহ্যগতভাবে উদযাপিত হয়। মানুষ সকালে উঠে স্নান করে এবং ঐতিহ্যবাহী পোশাক পরিধান করে। নারীরা লাল পাড়ের সাদা শাড়ি পরে, হাতে রঙিন চুড়ি পরে এবং ফুল দিয়ে নিজেদের সাজায়, আর পুরুষরা পায়জামা–পাঞ্জাবি পরে। এটি এমন একটি দিন যখন মানুষ ঐতিহ্যবাহী খাবার খেতে পছন্দ করে।

এদিন ঢাকায় সবচেয়ে বর্ণিল অনুষ্ঠানগুলোর একটি আয়োজন করা হয়। ভোরবেলা শত শত, হাজার হাজার মানুষ চারদিক থেকে ছুটে আসে ছায়ানটের আয়োজিত রমনা বটমূলে সাংস্কৃতিক অনুষ্ঠানে অংশ নিতে। এই সাংস্কৃতিক অনুষ্ঠানটি সূর্যোদয়ের সঙ্গে সঙ্গে শুরু হয় এবং দেশের খ্যাতিমান শিল্পীরা এতে অংশগ্রহণ করেন। অনুষ্ঠানটি শুরু হয় রবীন্দ্রনাথ ঠাকুরের বিখ্যাত গান “এসো হে বৈশাখ, এসো এসো…” দিয়ে। শিল্পীরা আরও লোকগীতি পরিবেশন করেন এবং বাদ্যযন্ত্রের তালে তালে শাস্ত্রীয় নৃত্য পরিবেশন করেন।

এদিন আরও একটি রঙিন শোভাযাত্রার আয়োজন করা হয়, যা দেশের সবচেয়ে বড় কার্নিভাল। এটি ঢাকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের চারুকলা ইনস্টিটিউটের শিক্ষার্থীরা আয়োজন করে। এই শোভাযাত্রায় বাঙালি সংস্কৃতির ঐতিহ্য ফুটে ওঠে। এতে ব্যবহৃত মুখোশ ও পুষ্পমালা অত্যন্ত আকর্ষণীয়! অনেক সময় এগুলো জাতীয় জীবনের সমসাময়িক দুঃখ–সুখের প্রতীক হিসেবে উপস্থাপিত হয়। প্রতি বছর এই শোভাযাত্রা বিদেশি পর্যটকদেরও আকর্ষণ করে।

দেশের অন্যান্য স্থানেও দিনটি উদযাপিত হয়। বিভিন্ন সামাজিক ও সাংস্কৃতিক সংগঠন এবং শিক্ষাপ্রতিষ্ঠান নিজ নিজ উদ্যোগে সাংস্কৃতিক অনুষ্ঠানের আয়োজন করে।

এদিন পত্রপত্রিকাগুলো বিশেষ ক্রোড়পত্র প্রকাশ করে। রেডিও ও টেলিভিশনে প্রচারিত হয় বিশেষ অনুষ্ঠানমালা।

পহেলা বৈশাখের উদযাপন পুরো জাতির জন্য সাংস্কৃতিক ঐক্যের প্রতীক হিসেবে চিহ্নিত হয়।

A. Answer the following questions.

1. What is Pahela Boishakh?
i. A religious festival
ii. The first day of the Bangla New Year ✅
iii. A national mourning day
iv. A seasonal festival

2. What kind of holiday is Pahela Boishakh?
i. Optional holiday
ii. Government-declared public holiday ✅
iii. Weekly holiday
iv. None of the above

3. Why does Pahela Boishakh have special significance?
i. It is a religious event
ii. It is part of Bangalee culture and tradition ✅
iii. It is an international festival
iv. It is only for students

4. How do people celebrate Pahela Boishakh?
i. By fasting
ii. By wearing traditional clothes and attending cultural events ✅
iii. By staying indoors
iv. By lighting candles

5. Which cultural organisation arranges the morning function at Ramna Batamul?
i. Shilpakala Academy
ii. Bangladesh Betar
iii. Chhayanaut ✅
iv. Dhaka University

6. What is the name of the song that begins the cultural function?
i. Amar Sonar Bangla
ii. Esho-he-Boishakh, Esho Esho ✅
iii. Dhono Dhanne Pushpe Bhora
iv. Majhi Baiya Jao Re

7. What kind of songs do artists sing on Pahela Boishakh?
i. Religious songs
ii. Traditional folk and Tagore songs ✅
iii. Western pop songs
iv. National anthems

8. Which group of people participate in the cultural events of Pahela Boishakh?
i. Only students
ii. Only religious leaders
iii. People from all walks of life ✅
iv. Only businessmen

9. Who organises the colourful procession in Dhaka?
i. Artists of Chhayanaut
ii. Fine Arts students of Dhaka University ✅
iii. Television personalities
iv. Government officials

10. What do the masks and wreaths worn by people represent?
i. Only happiness
ii. Contemporary worries or happiness in national life ✅
iii. Superstition
iv. Fashion trends

11. Why do foreign tourists visit Bangladesh during Pahela Boishakh?
i. To experience Bangalee culture ✅
ii. To attend political events
iii. To take part in religious activities
iv. To avoid local celebrations

12. Which of the following is NOT a part of Pahela Boishakh celebrations?
i. Cultural programs
ii. Traditional dress
iii. Fireworks display ✅
iv. Special newspaper supplements

13. Where does the biggest Pahela Boishakh event take place?
i. Shahbagh
ii. Ramna Batamul ✅
iii. Lalbagh Fort
iv. Sonargaon

14. What do men traditionally wear on this day?
i. T-shirts and jeans
ii. Pajamas and punjabis ✅
iii. Shorts and tank tops
iv. Suits and ties

15. What do women traditionally wear on this day?
i. Black sarees
ii. White sarees with red borders ✅
iii. Blue sarees
iv. Green salwar kameez

16. What type of food do people prefer on Pahela Boishakh?
i. Fast food
ii. Traditional food ✅
iii. Foreign cuisine
iv. Junk food

17. What is the mood of the nation on Pahela Boishakh?
i. Joyful and festive ✅
ii. Sorrowful
iii. Serious and tense
iv. Silent

18. Which of the following is NOT a part of traditional celebrations?
i. Special television programs
ii. Political rallies ✅
iii. Cultural performances
iv. Newspaper supplements

19. Which group of people celebrates Pahela Boishakh?
i. Only businesspeople
ii. Only students
iii. Only the elderly
iv. People of all backgrounds ✅

20. What does the celebration of Pahela Boishakh represent?
i. Political unity
ii. Cultural unity ✅
iii. Religious unity
iv. Social conflict

21. What is an essential feature of the morning cultural program?
i. Political speeches
ii. Traditional music and dance ✅
iii. Western performances
iv. Religious recitations

22. What inspires people on this day?
i. To forget their culture
ii. To start life with renewed hopes ✅
iii. To move abroad
iv. To stay home

23. Which word best describes the spirit of Pahela Boishakh?
i. Gloomy
ii. Festive ✅
iii. Political
iv. Religious

24. What role do newspapers play on this day?
i. Publish special supplements ✅
ii. Stop publishing
iii. Cover only political news
iv. Publish advertisements only

25. Why is the Fine Arts Department involved in celebrations?
i. They organize the biggest carnival ✅
ii. They run newspaper ads
iii. They promote commercial brands
iv. They run television shows

26. Why do people wake up early on Pahela Boishakh?
i. To clean their houses
ii. To attend cultural programs ✅
iii. To go to work
iv. To prepare for elections

27. Which colour combination is commonly associated with Pahela Boishakh attire?
i. Black and white
ii. Blue and yellow
iii. White and red ✅
iv. Green and pink

28. What inspires people about Pahela Boishakh?
i. Religious faith
ii. Political motivation
iii. Cultural pride ✅
iv. Fear of the unknown

29. Which of the following groups does NOT actively participate in celebrations?
i. Students
ii. Businesspeople
iii. Police officers
iv. None of the above ✅

30. Which of the following is a key theme of Pahela Boishakh?
i. Economic development
ii. Cultural unity ✅
iii. Political rivalry
iv. Globalization

31. What does the morning function at Ramna Batamul symbolize?
i. Political movements
ii. The arrival of spring
iii. Cultural heritage and unity ✅
iv. Religious harmony

32. What is the purpose of the Pahela Boishakh procession?
i. To display political slogans
ii. To showcase Bangalee culture and traditions ✅
iii. To protest against cultural changes
iv. To raise funds for social causes

33. Which statement about Pahela Boishakh is true?
i. It is celebrated only in Dhaka
ii. It is only for artists and students
iii. It is a festival for all Bangladeshis ✅
iv. It is a religious event

34. Which of the following is an essential part of Pahela Boishakh celebrations?
i. Business transactions
ii. Cultural performances ✅
iii. Military parades
iv. Sports competitions

35. Why do people wear masks and carry colorful structures in the procession?
i. To hide their identities
ii. To symbolize contemporary issues ✅
iii. To promote commercial products
iv. To scare away evil spirits

36. Which place in Dhaka attracts the most visitors on Pahela Boishakh?
i. Ahsan Manzil
ii. Lalbagh Fort
iii. Ramna Batamul ✅
iv. Bangabandhu Stadium

37. Which organization is mainly responsible for the organization of cultural performances?
i. Shilpakala Academy
ii. Bangladesh Betar
iii. Chhayanaut ✅
iv. Ministry of Foreign Affairs

38. Which of the following is NOT a part of the traditional Pahela Boishakh celebrations?
i. Wearing traditional clothes
ii. Holding religious prayers ✅
iii. Performing Tagore songs
iv. Taking part in a colorful rally

39. How does Pahela Boishakh impact cultural identity?
i. It weakens Bangalee traditions
ii. It strengthens Bangalee heritage and pride ✅
iii. It discourages cultural expression
iv. It promotes foreign influences

40. What do people usually eat on Pahela Boishakh?
i. Fast food
ii. Traditional dishes like panta bhat and hilsa fish ✅
iii. Western cuisine
iv. Spicy junk food

41. Which of the following is an important aspect of Pahela Boishakh?
i. Commercial advertising
ii. Expressing cultural identity ✅
iii. Religious sermons
iv. Political speeches

42. What message does the celebration of Pahela Boishakh promote?
i. Religious superiority
ii. Unity and cultural pride ✅
iii. Political awareness
iv. Economic growth

43. What is the significance of the sunrise during the Pahela Boishakh festival?
i. It marks the beginning of the celebrations ✅
ii. It represents an end to celebrations
iii. It symbolizes religious devotion
iv. It signals the start of business activities

44. How do educational institutions participate in Pahela Boishakh?
i. By organizing their own cultural programs ✅
ii. By closing down for the day
iii. By holding examinations
iv. By banning students from celebrating

45. What kind of dances are performed on Pahela Boishakh?
i. Western dances
ii. Classical and folk dances ✅
iii. Hip-hop
iv. Ballet

46. Which of the following is NOT a traditional element of Pahela Boishakh?
i. Wearing masks and floral crowns
ii. Enjoying traditional music
iii. Holding candlelight vigils ✅
iv. Attending cultural festivals

47. How do people feel about Pahela Boishakh celebrations?
i. Excited and joyful ✅
ii. Fearful and anxious
iii. Bored and uninterested
iv. Angry and frustrated

48. Which phrase best describes the essence of Pahela Boishakh?
i. A day of political debates
ii. A day of cultural unity and joy ✅
iii. A religious gathering
iv. A business event

49. How does the media contribute to Pahela Boishakh celebrations?
i. By broadcasting live cultural programs ✅
ii. By focusing only on advertisements
iii. By restricting coverage

iv. It is only for the elite class 

 B. Answer the following questions.

1. What is Pahela Boishakh, and why is it significant for Bangladeshis?
2. Why is Pahela Boishakh considered a part of Bangalee culture and tradition?
3. How do people from different backgrounds participate in the celebrations?
4. What traditional food is commonly eaten on Pahela Boishakh?
5. Who organizes the cultural program at Ramna Batamul, and why is it important?
6. What types of performances are usually seen during the celebrations?
7. Which university is responsible for arranging the colorful procession in Dhaka?
8. How does Pahela Boishakh promote national unity and cultural identity?
9. What role do newspapers and television play in the celebration of Pahela Boishakh?
10. Why do people wear traditional clothes on Pahela Boishakh?
11. Where is the most famous cultural program of Pahela Boishakh held?
12. What kind of music is performed at the cultural events of Pahela Boishakh?
13. How do rural and urban celebrations of Pahela Boishakh differ?
14. Why do Fine Arts students of Dhaka University organize the Mangal Shobhajatra procession?
15. What do the masks and symbolic artworks in the procession represent?
16. Who are the major artists performing at the Ramna Batamul cultural program?
17. What is the significance of the Tagore song Esho He Boishakh during the celebrations?
18. Why do people visit fairs and open-air concerts on this day?
19. Which elements of Pahela Boishakh attract foreign tourists?
20. How do different cultural and social organizations celebrate Pahela Boishakh?
21. When did the celebration of Pahela Boishakh begin in Bangladesh?
22. What historical or cultural influences shaped the celebration of Pahela Boishakh?
23. Why is Pahela Boishakh not just a religious event but a cultural festival?
24. Which ancient tradition of financial transactions is linked to Pahela Boishakh?
25. What changes have taken place in the way Pahela Boishakh is celebrated over time?
26. Why do some businesses start their new financial year on Pahela Boishakh?
27. How does the celebration of Pahela Boishakh contribute to the preservation of Bangalee heritage?
28. What impact does globalization have on the traditional celebrations of Pahela Boishakh?
29. Why is it important for younger generations to participate in Pahela Boishakh festivities?

How does Pahela Boishakh reflect the unity and diversity of Bangladesh?