Pahela Baishakh today

Taxation systems must have gone through many a reform over the past 400 odd years. But nothing possibly was so phenomenal than the one reform taking place in the year 1585.

In those Akbar days, the very introduction of Tarikh-e-Elahi - a solar calendar in place of the lunar one brought much relief to the agrarian communities of then Bengal as well as many other parts of the subcontinent - as it made the calculation of date and months more scientific and in good consistent with harvesting season thereby, also facilitating the Moghuls in better revenue collections.

Though introduced in 1585, the Tarikh-e-Elahi, also referred as Fasli San (crop year), was dated from Emperor Akbar's accession to the throne in 1556. The New Year subsequently became known as Bangabda or Bangla year in our part of the world.

Eventually it became customary to clear up all dues on the last day of Chaitra, the last month of solar Bengali calendar, and businessmen treating their customers with sweets. Arrangements of village fairs and other festivities became part of a rich cultural heritage. 

Some 432 years later the celebration day - Pahela Baishakh (1st day of Bangla New Year) - comes to us today at such a critical juncture of time when a section of people are trying, in vain, to extract 'new meaning' of what has been all through a non-communal national cultural journey.

Pleasantly, though, an overwhelming majority - irrespective of their cast and creed and religious beliefs - consider the Pahela Baishakh as a day of merriment, as a day of reinvigorating rich national culture and heritage, and there is nothing irreligious in it.

Describing the Pahela Baishakh celebrations as part of the country's tradition, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has also called upon the people to stay alert to misinformation regarding the festival.

“There's no link between the celebrations of Bangla New Year and religion... the festival is part of [our] cultural tradition,” she drove home a point hard.

It's true that over the years the New Year celebrations have shed many rituals while inducting newer forms and events to rejoice but the core value of upholding own language, history, culture and heritage still remain the celebration's centerpiece.  

Many old festivals connected with New Year's Day are no longer practiced. On the other hand, new festivals have been introduced. Though agricultural in origins, the Pahela Baishakh festivities are now more marked in urban societies than in rural societies.

With a vividly colourful and pompous rally called, Mangal Shobhajatra - the centerpiece of the Pahela Baishakh observance -- being recently recognised by the United Nations as an 'Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity' -- this year's celebration is set to reach a new height.

Stray incidents of attack on the Pahela Baishakh murals in Chittagong would in no way dampen the indomitable spirit of a nation.

And the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) proclaim, "The Mangal Shobhajatra festival symbolises the pride the people of Bangladesh have in their folk heritage, as well as their strength and courage to fight against sinister forces, and their vindication of truth and justice. It also represents solidarity and a shared value for democracy, uniting people irrespective of caste, creed, religion, gender or age. Knowledge and skills are transmitted by students and teachers within the community."

As the sound of drums beating resonates through the streets, onlookers feel a deep yearning to join Mangal Shobhajatra and that is the beauty of it.

People from all walks of life have been showing enthusiasm more and more for participating in the procession organised by the Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University on Pahela Baishakh every year since 1989.   

“Such boundless participation of mass people helps spread liberal values, values of culture and love,” said Kamal Pasha Chowdhury, an artist and secular activist.

To ensure security during the celebration of the first day of Bangla year 1424, many restrictions have been imposed, including an order that no one would be allowed into Mangal Shobhajatra in the middle of the procession. 

“That is regrettable” though security is a major concern given the rise of militancy and extremism in recent times, said Kamal Pasha, one of the organisers of Mangal Shobhajatra.

However, this is the first time the faculties of fine arts of other public universities outside Dhaka and schools and educational institutions across the country will hold Mangal Shobhajatra as suggested by the education directorate.

People from all walks of life will march to the rhythm of drums to share joy of festivity and values of harmony. “This is how we will continue to fight against radicalism, violence,” said the secular activist.  

Traditional village fairs, folk festivals and Mangal Shobhajatra apart, rendition of music by the Chhayanaut artistes under the banyan tree in the open of Ramna remains a rich part of a long tradition. And opening of new ledger book (Hal Khata) by business people, having pantha-ilish (Hilsa and watery rice) delicacy have all become part of the celebration.

Islamic scholar Syed Ashraf Ali once wrote it was the New Year celebration that enabled Prince Selim (later Emperor Jahangir) to meet and fall in love with Meherunnisa (known as Nurjahan in history). It was again in one such new year festival that the Prince Khurram (later Emperor Shahjahan) first came across Mumtaz Mahal, whom he immortalised through the great 'poetry in marble' - Taj Mahal.

"Had there been no Nababarsha festival, there perhaps would be no Nurjahan, and no Taj Mahal," said the late scholar.

Our very own great Bengali poet Tagore told us not to be afraid of northwester as and when it darkened the evening sky.

In his verse 'Oi Bujhi Kalboishakhi' - Rabindranath Tagore says (as translated by Dr. Fakhrul Alam), 

"There it comes - Boisakh's seasonal thundershower

Enveloping the evening sky!

What or who do you fear? Open all doors everywhere

Listen to the sky rumble intensely and its loud insistent call.

Respond to its overture with song-lyrics and melodies

Let whatever shakable shake; let anything transient go!

Let everything fragile shatter; let only the permanent stay!"