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The idea behind celebrating the new year is that you start afresh, leaving behind the failures and disappointments of the year before. It is a testament to human tenacity and penchant for positive thinking.
Poila Boishakh is the Bengali New Year, which is the traditional new year of the Bengali community. It is a national holiday in Bangladesh, and the Indian states of West Bengal and Tripura.
Every year, every Bengali family wakes up early in the morning on this day, to proceed to take a cleansing shower followed by wearing brand new clothes. The ritual of wearing new clothes, traditional Bengali attire before going to a temple or just taking the blessings of your elders is the most fundamental aspect of being Bengali.
Poila Boishakh is not just the marker of a new year for those living in Bengal. Bengalis have a sincere belief in the importance of celebration. In fact, there is a saying ‘Baro Mashe Tero Parbon’ (13 festivals in 12 months) which symbolize the affinity Bengalis have towards celebration and positive thinking.
Wearing new clothes as a part of the ritual of starting afresh is so important in our psyche because of the simplest of concepts - if you look good, you are bound to feel good.
The traditional attires of Bengalis are the kurta (or panjabi)-pajama for men and sarees for women. Every year, therefore, on the 14th or 15th of April, you will find the streets flooded with happy faces, elegant women in traditional sarees woven lovingly in different parts of Bengal.
Also, Poila Boishakh, or the first day of the Bengali New Year is not restricted to Bengal for its celebration. The whole of Bangladesh also chooses to celebrate this particular day with fanfare; and while the intricacies of the rituals vary from region to region; what remains common is the ritual of wearing new traditional clothes that symbolize prosperity, new beginnings and hope for the Bengali.
Another fascinating aspect of Poila Boishakh is how the probashi Bengali or the NRI Bengalis celebrate it in far-flung places all over the globe. They too gather in communities, wearing their handloom, Dhakai and tant sarees they have lovingly procured just for that one day.
The saree is an immense signifier for the people in Bengal - with more than thirty types of sarees, each distinctly representing the district it comes from. They reflect the heart of the Bengali traditions of weaving and handloom skills. The most common type of saree chosen for Poila Boisiakh is perhaps the Tant - the elegant wide bordered sarees from the lightest cotton fabric - perfect for the April heat in Bengal.
However, unique Jamdani, Tussar, Garad or Silks are equally coveted during this season. The traditional saree shops are flooded with customers, buying for themselves as well as gifts for their near and dear ones.
Wearing brand new sarees and kurtas on Poila Boishakh is an important ritual for the heart of the garrulous, vibrant Bengali community.