In Baishakhi spirit

As a new dawn ushers in the Bangla New Year 1422, the capital is abuzz with Baishakhi melodies, colours and merriment. Cultural organisations, educational institutions and city dwellers are ready to welcome the New Year through various cultural programmes.

Chhayanaut
Leading cultural organisation and school Chhayanaut has been welcoming Pahela Baishakh at Ramna's Boto-mul since 1967 -- and it has become synonymous to Bangla New Year celebrations. Solo and group songs, dances and recitations by students of the esteemed organisation and noted artistes begin at 6am.

Charukala, University of Dhaka
One of the hubs of the Baishakhi celebration in the city is Faculty of Fine Art of University of Dhaka. The Mongol Shobhajatra, brought out by the students and teachers of Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA) is one of the major attractions. The theme for the year is “Onek Alo Jalte Hobe Moner Ondhokar-e”. The rally will start at around 9am, where replicas of a royal elephant delineating Jamini Roy's famous folk motif, a tiger, a lion, colourful birds, fish, tepa putul, goats, and a horse will circle the campus.

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has inaugurated a four day Borshoboron programme from April 11-14, with the theme—“Mongol Houk Ei Shotokey Mongol Shobar”. The event includes various activities such as alpona workshop, kite festival, cultural programme and much more.

Wrishij Shilpi Goshthi
Artistes of Wrishij Shilpi Goshthi will welcome the Bangla New Year with the performance of music, dance and recitation by noted and promising artistes and famous folk troupe Dohar. The event will start at 7:30am at Narkel Bithi Chattar (in front of Shishu Park). Organisers will honour revered personalities on the occasion of Wrishij's 33rd year of celebration of Pahela Baishakh. 

Nazrul Institute 
Nazrul Institute will hail Pahela Baishakh through a programme at its auditorium. Noted poets Asad Chowdhury, Rabiul Hussain, Habibullah Shirajee, Nasir Ahmed, Muhammad Samad, Aslam Sunny and Tarik Sujat will recite poems. Artistes of Nazrul Institute will offer solo and choral performances of poems and songs.

UODA
The Faculty of Fine Arts of University of Development Alternative (UODA) has been organising a colourful rally named Bangla Shobhajatra for the last 12 years. Teachers, students and officials of SODA, CODA and UODA along with Dhanmondi residents will take part in the rally that will start from UODA premises (Dhanmondi 12/A) at 10am. A cultural programme will also be held at UODA Charukala in the evening. 

Geetashudha
Musical troupe Geetashudha Rabindra Sangeet Anushilan Kendra will hold a programme at Sampan Restaurant premises in Dhanmondi 27 at 6:30am to welcome Pahela Baishakh.

Benuka Lalitakala Kendra
Artistes of Benuka Lalitakala Kendra will usher in Pahela Baishakh through a cultural programme at Lalmatia Housing Society School and College grounds at 5pm. 

BSMMU
For the first time, academics of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) will arrange a Borshoboron programme under the banyan tree of BSMMU. Professor Dr. Kamrul Hasan Khan, vice-chancellor of BSMMU, among others, will recite poems at the event.