Umbrella!

For long, we have been trying to express solidarity and capture the boishakh motif with those customary red and white saris and Panjabis accompanied by some flowers and flowery designs on the face. But the arrival of summer, and the New Year, should be celebrated taking the summer itself in account. Umbrellas, maybe having red and white exteriors to match the occasion, should be an integral part of the celebration. Think about it. Umbrellas protect us from the scorching heat as well as the untimely Kalboishakhi. It just captures the boishakh theme. And a whole crowd moving with umbrellas on top gives a nice snap-shot moment for the photographers. Refurbishing the celebration calls for umbrella as a part of the uniform. You wouldn't like to get dizzy in the sun or get soaked in the sudden downpour, would you?

By Jawad

The First Month

The celebration of Pohela Boishakh inevitably involves one particular action: taking a walk in the scorching heat to see the numerous fairs. But what if you didn't have to take that sweat-draining stroll? What if you could take it in the mild weather of Hemonto, during the Gregorian month of November?

While the other months of Shorot and Hemonto seasons get shoved to the back of peoples' minds, Ogrohayon stands out among them. It's mentioned in our national anthem, ogro means elder or first, the weather, as mentioned before, is pleasant. And it fits with our traditions, as during this time, the harvest is brought in and Nobanno utshob takes place. Instead of rice drenched in water, wouldn't we rather have pithas and celebrate the coming of the new year in affluence in the hopes that the one to come is similar?

Just food for thought.

By Kazim Ibn Sadique

Khichuri

That's right - that's what's on the menu this Boishakh. None of that panta-Ilish that everyone buys at 500 Tk per plate and ends up feeding to the crows. Because khichuri is amazing. And it looks more appetising, too.

Face it - panta-Ilish doesn't reflect Bangalipona any more. At least, not for us urbanites. It features in our diets a grand total of once a year. Khichuri, on the other hand, is a running favourite. Maybe having khichuri instead of pantabhaat would help us “Westernised” kids feel a bit more Bangali and a lot less hypocritical. This is just a suggestion, of course. Feel free to enjoy your waterlogged rice as we help ourselves to a third plate of awesomeness.

By TheAlien4mEarth

Roller coaster in, Nogordola out

The Nagordola has become part and parcel of every Boishakhi Mela you can find in Bangladesh. Yet there are countless reasons to despise this awful invention of man. A wooden Nagordola is not really a thrilling ride. It lacks enough speed, so its circular motion can be at best called monotonous. The sound of creaking wood is frightening and there is always the risk of someone vomiting on your head. And did anyone even imagine the worst case scenario: what would happen if one of the carriages overturned?

A roller coaster with twisted turns and churns is the ideal ride to spice up our Boishakhi Mela experience, and people need to understand that the nonchalant Nagordola is a novelty no more. Of course, a roller coaster is not really practicable in each and every Mela, so for those who want the thrill that the Nagordola can no longer provide (i.e older children), find a roller coaster and go wild.

By Nayeem Islam

Melai Jai Re

'Esho He Boishakh' is the popular tune synonymous with Pohela Boishakh. The words of this piece of musical ingenuity have been around for years and are always associated with the Bengali New Year. Although it is the most famous and synonymous with the occasion, there are certain other numbers that can add a bit of the party element to go with the traditional feel of this iconic number. Let's face it, you cannot exactly party to Esho He Boishakh and attempting a club-remix or house version of this song would usually lead to disastrous consequences.

How about this year we play 'Melai Jai Re'? This song is a bit cheeky, but the word 'Mela' itself would definitely serve the purpose. Isn't new year about celebrating, jumping around and yet retaining our culture? Let's play Melai Jai Re this year and go crazy, celebrating New Year in the way it should be celebrated, albeit with a little bit more respect towards women.

By King

LIGHT UP!

So, how do you start off the Noboborsho? Do you wake up early in the morning pumped up and ready for the walk? Or are you just content waking up with enough time to catch the last few songs at Ramna Botmul? Perhaps you prefer to sleep like the dead, thanking Akbar in your dreams for the holiday?

While all these are decent enough ways to start off Noboborsho, we believe that it should be started off with a BANG and by BANG, we mean fireworks of course. Tradition says the New Year starts at dawn; we say get up about one hour before the sun and get busy with firecrackers; since it's just one day out of 365 days, the effort is unlikely to kill you. After all, what's a celebration if there are no fireworks? They'll make any event so much more enjoyable. Alternatively, if you really cannot wake up that early, you could have the fireworks at the evening after you are done with the day's roaming-about activities. However, do note that this alternative will not give you the satisfaction of starting off the New Year by helping your neighbours wake up early. It's all for the greater good.

By Sarwat Yunus

Colours

Red and white... the official colours. Red and white saris, red and white panjabis, shirts, fatuas... the duo surrounds you, speckled with green, yellow and orange in places. Sometimes variety catches your eye in the form of bright green. You can see the matrons looking down their nose at the loud salwar kameez. Some of us like to go with the crowd, but some of us like to shock people and flaunt our whatever-it-is-that-shocks-people. Besides, if we're revamping Pohela Boishakh, we have to flip the colours too. So this year, the Pohela Boishakh colours are blue and black. And grey. They represent the awesome Kalboishakhi jhor. If you don't like the storms, wear green, for the kacha aam that's finally here.

By Sifana Sohail

Painted Jewellery On Boishakh

Ever thought your Boishakh attire needs accessories? You want something out-of-the-ordinary, but you just can't find the accessory that suits your taste or you feel too uncomfortable wearing it. To your solution, this Pohela Boishakh RS brings you Painted Jewellery - a unique and alternative way to funk up your Boishakh attire.

Face painting is a very common part of Pohela Boishakh celebrations, but you don't have to limit yourself to this. Painted necklace, bracelets, churis, rings, nose rings, and ear rings can be personalised according to the taste of the person wearing the jewellery. For instance, you can paint using alponas, adding bits of conventional tigers, owls, peacocks, and dhols. All sorts of colours and designs can be included, as well as glitters to spark up your painted jewelleries. This will bring distinctive styles and individualities to your Boishakh outfits. Painted jewellery may be a decorative fixture, but it is also a personal style statement. Let's give it a try, shall we!

Shuvo Noboborsho everyone!

By Maofic Farhan Karin
Illustration: Sarwat Yunus