Photo: BSS

DHAKA, April 14, 2025 (BSS) - Chhayanaut, the country's esteemed cultural organisation, welcomed the Bangla Nababarsha, the first day of the Bangla New Year, with its flagship traditional cultural festivity at the Ramna Park in the capital this morning.

As dawn broke, Chhayanaut's artists sang in unison and recited poetry from the stage beneath the Ramna Batamul (Banyan tree at Ramna Park), welcoming the Bangla New Year.

Aiming to convey a message of hope, resilience, and renewal, Chhayanaut has chosen 'Amar Mukti Aloy Aloy' - 'My liberation lies in light' - as the theme for this year's Bangla Nababarsha celebration.

The festivity began at 6:15am on a semi-circular stage measuring 72 feet in length and 30 feet in width, stretching from east to west at Ramna Batamul.

Audiences from every part of the capital gathered for the celebration even before dawn, singing and dancing to welcome the new Bengali calendar year heralding good tidings.

Sarwar Ali, executive president of Chhayanaut, addressed the event.

A total of 12 solo songs, three recitations and nine choruses, featuring themes of light, nature, humanity and patriotism, were performed by esteemed artists.

A minute of silence was observed in memory of the martyrs who were killed in the massacre in Palestine.

The event concluded with a group rendition of the national anthem.

Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar broadcast the event, and Chhayanaut also streamed the festivity live on its YouTube channel and Facebook page.

Strict security measures were put in place at the venue by the government's security enforcement unit, the volunteers of the 13th Hussars Open Rover Scout Group, and Chhayanaut workers.

Pahela Baishakh is one of the most coveted and long-awaited festivities in Bangladesh. Chhayanaut, founded in 1961, has earned global fame for organizing the traditional, extravagant cultural festivity on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh at Ramna Park every year since 1967.