A symbolic Mongol Shobhajatra and a mesmerising display of dance and music marked the celebration of Pahela Baishakh, Bangla New Year's Day, by Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi yesterday.

In a message on the occasion, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said the fraternal ties between both the countries are enriched by shared art, culture and music of the two countries.

"We rejoice in each other's successes and achievements and have stood beside and supported each other in times of need," she said in the message read out by Director General of ICCR Riva Ganguly Das at Prabashi Bharatiya Kendra, the venue of the colourful function.

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Pahela Baishakh celebrated

Wives of the officers of the mission and their children staged a Mongol Shobhajatra procession inside the venue.

Carrying masks and dancing to the tune of Boishakhi songs they entered into the function auditorium amid thunderous applause from the audience which included foreign diplomats, academics, cultural activists and expatriate Bangladeshi students.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Syed Muazzem Ali welcomed the guests saying that Pahela Boishakh is one of the most colorful festivals of Bangladesh showcasing the vivid colors in the lives of the people.

The celebration was rounded off with an enthralling presentation of dance and music by the artistes of Dhaka-based Shrishti Cultural Center who flew from Dhaka at the invitation of the mission.

The performance was led by Anisul Islam Hero, a renowned dancer and choreographer of Bangladesh and director of the group.

The performers - Sharif Md Sojib, Borna Brishti Banty, Mrittika Rahman Suchana, Md Embadul Haque, Nafisha Fariha Saddat Promi, Hridika Shamroz Saba Mohammad, Ruhul Amin Babu and Pratik Deb, won the hearts of the audience as they presented one number after another focusing on heritage, culture and landscape of Bangladesh.