There’s something special about ‘Poila Baisakh’ in every Bengali’s heart, never mind the fact that we refer to the world’s standard Gregorian calendar for most things that we do. It is possibly because the first day of the month of Baisakh that usually falls on April 14 or 15 signifies the start of a brand-new Bengali year and is full of cultural and spiritual significance.
Businessmen and traders begin afresh with all-new account books (known as Haal Khata) accompanied by prayers to the god and goddess of bounty and prosperity, Lord Ganesh and Maa Lakshmi. “May the months ahead be successful for my business. May it make profits and go on to the next higher level. May prosperity and wealth flood the lives of those who work to better it every day.” Just imagining what the wishes of the devout are when they pray on Poila Baisakh.
Other than businesspeople, Poila Baisakh is also celebrated with gusto in the countryside where the farming communities start a new agricultural year after the harvest season. The winter crop has ripened and been harvested. It’s the time to start afresh here too. Men, women, and children pray for a generous agricultural season with good weather conditions that will ensure a good harvest.
How can we leave out the huge cultural impact of Poila Baisakh on every Bengali? It is a day that’s markedly different from others because it just ‘feels’ different! It is the day to celebrate new beginnings in the traditional way with those close to you, personally and professionally, and remain hopeful and optimistic for the months ahead.
There are traditional foods and sweet-dishes to be savoured with near and dear ones and an element of merry making – maybe a Poila Baisakh getogether with family and friends, or a movie show or theatre performance or music concert. The idea is simply having a good time making happy memories.
Poila Baisakh is a day to take it a wee bit slower and remind yourself that no matter what challenges life throws up, there are times and days when we should cherish a new beginning – even if symbolic – with those who add joy and meaning to our existence.
Lakkhichara’s Plans on April 15, 2025
This year, Lakkhichara hosts a special Poila Baisakh show at Lake Club. Members of the popular Bangla rock band that has already completed a ‘rocking’ 25 years spoke to Camongo on this year’s plans.
Gaurab Chatterjee aka gaboo – Lakkhichara has a show coming up this year on Poila Baisakh. So, I’m going to be busy with sound check and associated jobs! This apart, gorging on plenty of traditional dishes is definitely an integral part of my schedule.
Rajiv Mitra aka rajiv_raj_mitra – The show at Lake Club is what’s on my mind this year. The New Year for me is Poila Baisakh. It brings on a whole different level of excitement. In my house, it’s a day when we fill ourselves up with traditional food – plenty of it. I love Ilish maach and have lots of my favourite dish on Poila Baisakh. Other than this, music remains a fixture on Poila Baisakh, of course.
Debaditya Chaudhury aka deba.piano – The Bengali and Food on Poila Baisakh is a matchless combination. We may call it the Festival of Flavours! A Bengali household will usually start off the day with a hearty breakfast of Luchi (deep-fried flatbread made of maida), Aloodum (potato curry dish), Bonde (Bengali sweet made of small chickpea fritters dunked in sugar syrup) followed by a grand lunch consisting of rice, a variety of fish dishes, prawns, mutton curry. Then, we look at an evening of light snacks of rolls and cutlets and then bringing down the curtains with a night out to our favourite restaurant. This sums up the day’s food itinerary for Bengali on Poila Baisakh. For our Lakkhichara band of brothers, it’s no different. But we usually have our performances rolled in on this day as well. This year, we’re performing at Lake Club, an interesting show that’s coming up.
Boddhisatwa Ghosh aka bodhi.guitar – There’s a show coming up this year at the Lake Club. Food and music. An unbeatable combination and I can’t imagine Poila Baisakh without either. Can it ever be one and not the other? As far as food goes, I look forward to my meal of hot, fluffy rice, nicely-done mutton curry, and Gondoraj lebu (a fragrant citrus fruit that gives Bengali cuisine its distinctive aroma) to add to the flavour and aroma, letting my fist plunge into this festive fare and relishing every bite is total bliss!
Sourav Chakraborty – The age-old debate that I have been listening to since my boyhood is – why do we get so thrilled about Poila Baisakh when we follow the English calendar for everything in our lives? But can any Bengali deny the fact that though this may be so, as the countdown to the Bengali New Year begins, we feel a special excitement taking over. Maybe it is the thrill of wearing new clothes, eating out, doing endless rounds of stores where the Haal Khata rituals are on and collecting sweet packets and gulping Rasna, a fun combo of typical rituals and habits so embedded in our system that make sure that Poila Baisakh remains exciting till this day. For me, it’s a day to spend with the family, go on a long drive with them to any location where the food is fabulous which we tuck in heartily together.
With inputs by Neha Karmakar and Nilankur Mukherjee.
Picture taken by Sajal Das
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