From the winter's gaze to the blooming essence of flowers with divine beauty, Spring (Basanta) has again arrived in its copious manner, a blessing for all in Bangladesh to glorify life and live afresh, washing away sadness and gloom cast by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Whether the flowers bloom or not, today is Spring,-Subhash Mukhopadhya's famous poem reminds the Bangalees of what is really stored in the bosom of this lovely season, which arrives on the first day of Falgun, the Bengali year's 11th month, to re-awaken all irrespective of age in this beautiful part of the world.
In a sharp change in the least possible time, between the last day of winter and the first day of spring, nature all over witnesses pink buds opening slowly, sweet breezes from the south carrying fragrances and trees coming to life with new leaves.
Whether flowers bloom or not in any garden, or love appears or not in any one's life, nature lovers will crackle with the celebration of 'Pahela Falgun' on a limited scale while maintaining health protocol at the city's various traditional cultural spots with renewed vigour and valour at the first flash of spring.
Attired in traditional `Bashanti' sarees and Panjabis, males, females, boys, girls, children and juveniles are expected to throng these places and greet each other with their usual cheering smiles and exchange fresh roses symbolizing the eternal glory of 'Pahela Falgun'.
They also distribute sweets, small gifts and many of them in duos are found having their romantic pastimes under any shade or in open spaces.
Having tastefully pasted Alpanas' on their cheeks, arms and foreheads, both young boys and girls perpetuate their friendship as well as amity through Rakhibandhan, a traditional bond of close relation.
This year no formal celebration programmes are being taken up even by "Bashanta Utsab Udjapan Parishad" in Bakultala and Rabindra Saravor due to Covid-19, informal celebration like gathering of young boys and girls at Bakultala and Rabindra Saravor is likely to turn both the places into the hubs of festivity.
People, mostly the young, celebrate Pahela Falgun and Valentine’s Day simultaneously wearing yellow, red, white and pink sarees, pajama and panjabi, flower-made ornaments and holding traditional musical soirees, the festival loving young men and women welcome the spring in a befitting manner.
Besides, it is also a festival of romantic love as many young women and men exchange roses, greeting cards, letters and other attractive gifts with each other each to win hearts marking Valentine’s Day.
Apart from the capital Dhaka, people living in all metropolitan cities, district towns, upazila headquarters and even villages across the country also celebrate the day with great joy and love, and in a colourful manner.
The most romanticised bird in literature, the cuckoo’s songs add a fresh message to the blossom of flowers, new leaves in trees, a breath of fresh air, new feelings, love and emotions.
Like people around the world, the city’s young men and women also spend time with each other and exchange presents on Valentine’s Day.
Wearing red and white dresses, symbol of valentine day, young men and women pass the whole day from morning to night with their loved ones in Dhaka University campus, Suhrawardy Udyan, Ramna Park and other open spaces in the city.
And they also buy books from the fair and present them as Valentine’s Day gifts to their beloved ones.
City markets are seen overcrowded with purchasers buying colorful panjabees and sarees and other traditional dresses ahead of the festival.
Different brands of garment products, shoes and ornaments are also giving special offers for customers on the eve of the two major festivals.
Newspapers also published special supplements for the last couple of days carrying the message of the festival.
Ramna Park, Rabindra Sarobar and Hatirjheel also draw a huge crowd on that day.
In nature, it is considered that “Krishnachura” flower brings the message of the arrival of spring.
Everything in nature gives an impression of youthfulness or freshness as if nature takes a new birth. Colorful flowers, melody of birds or mild touch of the sunshine – everything will make one feel that springtime is nature’s festival.
