Festive Pahela Baishakh celebrations draw to a close at Shilpakala

From bioscope screenings to film exhibitions, and from traditional fairs to cultural performances, the five-day Pahela Baishakh (Bengali New Year) celebrations organised by the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) concluded on Friday with a vibrant and diverse programme.

Marking Chaitra Sankranti 1432 and Pahela Baishakh 1433, the Academy staged an elaborate five-day cultural programme, which drew to a close through a rich showcase of folk performances and film screenings.
 

Supported by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the celebrations featured a Baishakhi fair at the Academy’s open-air premises, highlighting rural traditions and elements of folk heritage. The fair presented a wide range of cultural expressions, including traditional drumming performances, stick fighting displays, kite flying, and spinning top games (latim), alongside a variety of folk musical and theatrical traditions. These included narrative folk songs, group rowing songs, scroll painting performances accompanied by singing, recitations from classical folk literature, traditional theatre, folk ballads, devotional folk music, and indigenous musical forms. Puppet shows and film screenings further enriched the programme, drawing large crowds of visitors and culture enthusiasts.

The closing day’s programme began at 4pm on April 17, at the National Theatre Hall. The event opened with a folk music performance featuring traditional songs, including Bhawaiya and Baul music, along with group performances by ethnic minority communities. This was followed by a choreographed presentation of “Esho He Boishakh”, performed by 50 dancers.

Speaking at the discussion segment as chief guest, Ali Nawaz Mahmud Khayyam said, “The present government aims to restore cultural authenticity. Every nation should flourish through its own heritage and traditions—that is our core objective.”
He further added, “Many aspects of our heritage are on the verge of disappearing. We want to revive all forms of folk art and present the depth of our culture on the global stage.” He also called for greater respect and empathy towards artists and writers so that they may live with dignity in society.
 

The event was presided over by Kaniz Mowla, Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, who emphasised the government’s encouragement for every citizen, particularly schoolchildren, to learn at least one musical instrument.

Earlier, Sheikh Rezauddin Ahmed, Director General of the Academy, delivered the welcome address. He said, “We curated this five-day programme with vibrant performances, which concludes today. We aim to foster a cultural environment across the country through the Academy’s initiatives. Culture plays a vital role in building a democratic and inclusive society, and we seek to engage people at all levels, extending our activities to district and sub-district levels.”

A vote of thanks was delivered by Mohammad Zakir Hossain, Secretary of the Academy.
 

Following the discussion, cultural performances resumed with artists of the Academy taking the stage, culminating in a band music segment. At 7pm, the 1979 film “Surja Dighal Bari”, directed by Moshiuddin Shaker and Sheikh Niamat Ali, was screened.

The five-day Baishakhi fair at the Academy’s open grounds was also formally declared closed, bringing the festive celebrations to an end.