My advice would be to keep it simple on Pahela Baishakh… Emdad Hoque

Founder of Studio Emdad, director of Banglar Mela and a board member of the Fashion Designer Council of Bangladesh (FDCB); Emdad Hoque is a prominent personality. Through his skills and designs, this eminent designer, has been able to colour many celebrations and occasions. Today this eminent designer shared the many hues of Pahela Baishakh:

How will you celebrate Pahela Baishakh this year?

Emdad: When I lived in old Dhaka, Pahela Baishakh celebrations were really a different experience: visiting places like Ramna Botomul, lunch with family used to top my checklist. Now things are different. This year I will attend cultural programmes around the corner. Later, I will visit a few places, depending on the traffic and distance. Food plays an important role on such occasions, however, I will not eat Hilsha fish, but yes, fish will be on my menu along with rice, bhorta and vegetables.

What will you wear for Baishakh?

Emdad: I will wear white Panjabi as it is going to be a long day. As for my family, my son will don a blue and white Panjabi and my wife will wear a blue and red tie-dye saree.

Any memories of Baishakh?

Emdad: My best memory of Pahela Baishakh celebration is being invited for lunch at Hatkhola Road. Plus after the Halkhata ceremony, shop owners used to distribute Jilapi which I feasted on.

What designs do you have in store for Pahela Baishakh?

Emdad: This year's Baishakhi collection has cotton and Tangail sarees, long kameez, kurti and Panjabi wih tie-dye, block, screen print and shibori prints. The colours for this season are lemon, red, magenta, yellow and blue. For this particular season, I prefer to stick to cottons so that buyers can be comfortable on a   summer day.

What accessories do you advise for Pahela Baishakh ?

Emdad: There are various stores and boutiques that sell terracotta, metal and fabric based ornaments. I think wearing such jewellery will help an individual look traditional and stylish. My advice would be to keep it simple, because it will be a long summer day. So over doing things is not a good idea at all.