Thousands to Welcome Bengali New Year at Dhanmondi

The traditional Bengali New Year celebrations, marking the onset of Pahela Baishakh, are set to take place at the Rabindra Sarobar in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. This annual cultural event, titled “Hazar Konthe Borshoboron” (Welcoming the Year with a Thousand Voices), is a collaborative initiative organised by the television network Channel i and the music school Shurer Dhara.

Event Schedule and Programme Details

The festivities are scheduled to commence at 5:30 am on 1st Baishakh and will conclude at 9:00 am. The programme is designed to welcome the new year through a continuous sequence of Bengali musical performances. Prior to the main New Year event, a “Chaitra Sangkranti” programme is scheduled to be held at the same venue starting at 5:30 pm on the final day of the outgoing year, marking the formal conclusion of the current Bengali calendar.

Participant Profiles

The primary attraction of the event is the choral performance featuring approximately one thousand vocalists. This group comprises students from Shurer Dhara, led by the renowned exponent of Rabindra Sangeet, Rezwana Choudhury Bannya, along with diverse artists travelling from various regions across Bangladesh.

In addition to the massive choir, several distinguished national vocalists are confirmed to perform, including:

• Rafiqul Alam: A veteran playback singer and classical music practitioner.

• Fahim Hossain Chowdhury: A prominent specialist in Rabindra Sangeet.

• Kiran Chandra Roy: A leading figure in Bengali folk music.

The musical segments will be complemented by a dedicated recitation session featuring the acclaimed elocutionist Jayanta Chattopadhyay. The entire proceedings will be moderated by television presenter Deepti Chowdhury.

Event Overview and Logistics

Cultural Context

The Rabindra Sarobar gathering has established itself as one of the significant hubs for urban Bengali New Year celebrations, serving as a secondary major focal point alongside the traditional festivities at Ramna Park. The event focuses on the preservation of Bengali musical heritage, ranging from classical and Rabindra Sangeet to folk traditions. The participation of a “thousand voices” is intended to symbolise national unity and the collective cultural identity of the Bengali people.

The organisers have confirmed that the programme will be broadcast live on Channel i, allowing both domestic and international audiences to observe the rituals and performances. Historical data indicates that such gatherings at Dhanmondi attract thousands of visitors, necessitating coordinated efforts for crowd management and security at the open-air lakeside amphitheatre.