News Desk: After a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bengali New Year-1429, was celebrated mostly in Dhaka in a loose mood as the religious preachers critisize it as imported culture.

The country's leading cultural organisation Chhayanaut has resumed its programmes as usual. The celebration began with the voice of artiste Srabanti Dhar. She presented a raga to welcome the Bangla year 1429.

The highs and lows of the raga overwhelmed the audience. When the voice and the instruments went quiet and they opened their eyes, the crowd had swelled.

As always, artistes from Chhayanaut Sangeet Bidyayatan – of varying ages – occupied the main stage at Ramna Batamul. This year, there were 85 of them.

Together they started off with the Rabindra Sangeet "Mann, jaago Mangalalokey".

Apart from them, teachers of Chhayanaut are presenting solo and duet performances.

Apart from the songs of the "five poets of Bengal", there was also folk and Bratachari songs on the occasion.

The celebration ended with Chhayanaut President Sanjida Khatun's speech.

All public Pahela Baishakh celebrations in Dhaka ended by 2pm, according to instructions by Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

SK