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Published : 11 Apr 2025, 08:32 PM
Chhayanaut has called upon Bengalis to embark on a journey of liberation as it will be ushering in this year’s Bengali New Year with the theme “Amar Mukti Aloy Aloy,” or “My Liberation Lies in Light".
The 58th annual flagship celebration by Chhayanaut will commence, as per tradition, at 6:15am on the first morning of the Bengali year.
As the first light of dawn breaks, the 1432nd Bangabdabaran — the welcoming of the New Year — will begin with the strains of Raga Bhairavi, according to the event’s organisers.
Chhayanaut shared details of the upcoming programme during a press conference at its cultural centre, Sanskriti Bhaban, in Dhaka on Friday.
In a written statement, Chhayanaut General Secretary Laisa Ahmed Lisa expressed concern over the global decline in humanity and values, noting that Bangladesh has not remained untouched.
“Yet we do not lose hope, we do not lose direction,” Lisa said.
“We dream of holding hands, of meeting and moving forward together.”
She added, “Bengalis will awaken. The time will return when we all can share beautiful days once more. It will be worthwhile — our mantra remains to love the people, the country, and this world.”
What began in the 1960s by the banks of the Ramna has since become a central feature of Bengali New Year celebrations.
Chhayanaut’s tradition of welcoming the New Year started in 1967 and has continued on the first day of Boishakh each year, save for 1971, during the Liberation War.
In recent history, the event was held virtually for two consecutive years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2001, a tragic bombing carried out by militants during Chhayanaut’s Boishakh celebration claimed ten lives.
Security has remained tight for every celebration since.
Chhayanaut’s origins date back to 1961, when cultural icon Sanjida Khatun, defying the opposition of the Pakistani regime, led efforts to celebrate Rabindranath Tagore’s birth centenary, eventually laying the foundation for the cultural institution.
Sanjida, a towering figure in the Bengali cultural sphere, spent her life pursuing Bengali identity through music.
She passed away on Mar 25 at 3pm at Square Hospital in Dhaka.
For the first time in its history, Chhayanaut will usher in the Bengali New Year without the presence of one of its founding members and guiding spirit, Sanjida.
“This is the first time that Chhayanaut is organising the New Year’s Eve celebration when Sanjida Khatun is no more,” said Sarwar Ali, executive president of Chhayanaut.
“May we be able to carry forward her ideas. Being able to organise the event properly and spread the essence of the New Year’s Eve celebration to everyone will be a tribute to Sanjida Khatun.”
Asked whether there were concerns over public safety at the event, Ali said: “Absolutely not.”
The cultural lineup this year features nine ensembles, twelve solo performances, and three readings.
A total of 150 artists will take the stage during the two-hour programme.
In a written statement, Chhayanaut said: “As always, the law-enforcing agencies and the public works department are providing tireless service to keep this event to welcome the new Bengali year smooth.”
Volunteers, including members of the Thirteenth Hussars Open Rover Group, are working in close coordination with Chhayanaut staff to support logistics and crowd management.
The event will be broadcast live from Ramna Udyan on Chhayanaut’s official YouTube and Facebook pages, with Bangladesh Television (BTV) also airing the programme.
