Porni Banerjee | ১৪ এপ্রিল ২০২৪ ১০ : ২৪Porni Banerjee

Porni Banerjee

Let me begin the story by wishing you all ‘Subho Nababarsho’ and a happy life ahead! Today is Poila Boishakh (Bengali New Year), which marks the first day of the year in the Bengali calendar and it is an auspicious day for Bengalis across the globe. On this day, Bengalis usher in weaving beautiful moments by participating in cultural activities – be it dance, music, drawing aalpona (rangoli) or simply catching up with friends and family for a grand feast.

While residents of Kolkata and across India celebrate Poila Boishakh with much pomp, nababarsho among probashi Bengalis (Bengalis living outside West Bengal) living overseas is nothing less of an extravaganza as well. This occasion holds a cultural significance even for those residing miles away from their home country. Let’s understand how.

“My way of celebrating Poila Boishakh is to begin the day with a positive note as I seek blessings from Goddess Durga to become a better person each day. I have a group, which is involved in community service and religiously visits old age homes and children’s homes especially on this day to spend quality time with them as they too deserve some love and happiness. We provide food and stationary items, including educational books, pens, pencils, drawing books, etc to the needy children. For me, celebrating New Year is also feeding street dogs as I am an animal lover. I believe that serving the planet is next to worshipping God on this auspicious day,” said Mousumi, who has been staying in Mauritius for years now.

“This apart, my husband has formed a Bengali association here where we (Bengalis) gather to participate in cultural activities like folk dance, rabindrasangeet and enjoy authentic Bengali dishes together,” she added.

Another probashi from Canada celebrates Poila Boishakh in its purest form. “I prefer celebrating this auspicious occasion by expressing gratitude to the divine power and offering dry fruits and eggless pastries to Him. I also light up scented candles at my home to radiate a positive atmosphere all around,” said Ananya Roy.

For Aparna Mukherjee and Pushon Mukherjee – a married couple from Vancouver in Washington state, Poila Boishakh is about celebrating ‘bangaliyana’ miles away from their homeland. “We try to retain our roots and that’s why we indulge in dance, Tagore songs, recitation (abriti) and inculcate the same values in our children so that they understand their own culture. This year, a total of nine families, including ours have organised a potluck that have fulkopir singara, fish fry, noodles and chilly chicken, egg roll, Kolkata special chicken Biryani, roshogolla and mishti doi – all exuding the authentic flavours of Kolkata street food.” 




“For us, borsho boron signifies decking oneself up in bonedi shaajh (traditional Bengali outfit) and indulging in varied Bengali cuisines with friends and relatives at Bengali associations,” said IT professional Sumana Banerjee from Connecticut in the US. “A few children of my dance school - Tarang - also take interest in showcasing diverse forms of dance to celebrate this day, added Sumana.

Married couple Sayantan Dutta and Amrita Deb, who reside in Germany’s Alsdorf, say that Poila Boishakh has held a special place in their hearts since their expat student days. “We’d eagerly rush to our university’s student council building to enjoy Indian feasts with fellow peers to celebrate Bengali new year, often coinciding with Marathi’s Guriparwa and Islamic Eid. Our varsity would, therefore, also offer a diverse spread of Maharashtrian and Muslim delicacies like Dabeli and Shahi Tukra. And this year holds extra significance as we plan to celebrate at home with our baby boy, indulging in typical Bengali dishes and watching ‘Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne’ with him.”

And what is Poila Boishakh for the Bengali diaspora in London? “The Bengali community in London and the UK celebrate Poila Boishakh primarily to let their young ones know about the cultural significance that this occasion holds. Every year, Bengali clubs such as ‘Hullor’ in Hounslow and ‘Adda’ in Slough welcome probashis to embrace their tradition with potluck, dance, music and drama. This time, the Bangladeshi Bengali community will celebrate new year at Brady Art Centre in East London,” said media professional Tamalika Basu from London.



And what’s more? Poila Boishakh celebration goes beyond enlivening cultural activities as well. “Some organisers of the associations near Birmingham have also decided to set up garment stalls on Sunday that will have in display saris, blouses and a wide range of ethnic wear and Indian accessories,” Tamalika added.

The very essence of ‘Bangaliyana’ is spread worldwide and can never fizzle out from Bengalis residing in New Zealand as well. “Although I’m not actively involved in any social activities organised in Bengali associations here, I personally begin the first day by worshipping God, decorating my home and wearing new clothes,” said Ria Dey.

Poila Boishakh is not just a day in Bengali calendar, but a moment to cherish togetherness affectionately wrapped in upholding the rich heritage, heartfelt wishes for one another and diving in the aromatic flavours of Bengal. This spirit in every Bengali - living in India or abroad – transcends time, boundaries and generations and such celebrations are more to come.