Staff Correspondent:

Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bangla calendar, is being celebrated across the country today with vibrant festivities, traditional performances, and a renewed sense of cultural pride.

In Chattogram, the day began with colorful processions featuring masks, folk motifs, and cultural symbols — organised by various government bodies, local cultural organisations, and educational institutions, including the Institute of Fine Arts at Chittagong University.

In the CRB area, a day-long celebration is underway with performances of folk songs, traditional dance, and poetry recitations.

Meanwhile, the planned celebration at DC Hill was suspended following vandalism at the venue on Sunday night, organisers confirmed.

The city seemed to come alive at the festive spots — including CRB, Chattogram Shilpakala Academy, and the Institute of Fine Arts — with the rhythm of folk songs and the aroma of traditional Bengali dishes.

Streets were filled with people dressed in red, white, and yellow, embodying the spirit of the Bangla New Year.

In Barishal, a festive rally was brought out by Barishal Institute of Fine Arts marking the occasion.

In Thakurgaon, the first rays of the new year was welcomes with the soulful melody of shehnai echoing through the crisp morning air.

People of all ages, dressed in vibrant colours, gathered at the Thakurgaon Judge Court premises to join the Pahela Baishakh celebrations from 6:00am onwards.

This year’s celebrations included a classical musical performance by Nikkan Sangeet Bidyalaya under the direction of artiste Piyali Bose. The performances included Raga Bhairav and a choral rendition of Rabindra Sangeet, “Mor Probhater Ei Kusum Khani,” as well as an enchanting blend of Tagore songs, Nazrul Geeti, folk melodies, and spiritual compositions by Lalon and Shah Abdul Karim, followed by poetry recitations and dance performances.

The event concluded with the national anthem.

A day-long fair featuring cottage and handicrafts is also underway, where local institutions and women entrepreneurs are showcasing and selling their products.

In Khulna, students and teachers of Khulna University brought out a festive procession celebrating Pahela Baishakh on the university campus.

In Shariatpur, the district administration organised a Baishakhi Rally and cultural event to welcome the Bangla new year.

People from all walks of life from across the district joined the rally donning colourful attire.

A Baishakhi Fair was also organised showcasing the traditional Bangalee cuisine, folk art and heritage., and cultural performances.

In Narayanganj, the district administration, Narayanganj Institute of Fine Arts, and cultural organisations brought out separate celebratory processions in the city to mark the first day of Bangla calendar.

In Bagerhat, Kachua Upazila Administration organised a two-day programme to celebrate the Bangla new year on the Upazila Parishad premises. Hundreds of people from across the upazila joined the event where local artists performed music and dance. The event also includes rural fair, rally, among others.