A popular festival in Bangladesh is Pahela Boishakh.This is the first day of the Bangla year.In fact,it is a new year's day which comes annually and is celebrated all over the country with great fun and frolic.It is supposed that Emperor Akbar introduced the festival of Pahela Boishakh.Since then the people of our country have been celebrating this day every year.Probably it was thought necessary to systematize the revenue-accounting of the country with effect from this day of the year.At present,the most important feature of this day is that traders and shopkeepers open new khata,popularly known as 'halkhata' (annual account book) and offer sweets to their customers and clients.This is a very happy occasion for them.
Pahela Boishakh is a national festival in Bangladesh.It is celebrated by all communities of the nation alike with great enthusiasm.The day is a public holiday.Different socio-cultural organizations chalk out elabrorate programmers to celebrate the day in a befitting manner.Large numbers of people wearing traditional dresses attend the programmes.National dailies bring out a special supplement.The BTV and other private channels telecast special programmers.Bangladesh Betar also throws special programmes on the air.The Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka Univercity brings out a colourful procession from its premises carrying festoons,banners,placards,posters and wearing masks to welcome the Bangla New year.Shipakala Academy,Bangladesh National Museum organize cultural functions on their respective premises.
The first programme of the festival begins in the capital city at dawn at Ramna Batamul.Chhayanat,a leading cultural organization,arranges this programme.The famous artistes of the country take part in it.Multitudes of people start coming to the venue since early morning to enjoy this programme.Temporary food-courts are set up there to cater the special food of the day- the panta and Hilsha fish.Boishakhi mela is a significant attraction of the day.
Of all days,it is a day of joy and merry-making.It bears a great significance in the traditional life and culture of Bangladesh.