Shubho Nababorsho

A very happy new year to all my friends.

As we enter into the 1418th Bangla year, my memory takes me to my childhood days spent at Ranchi. Memories of those days linger even today and trigger a nostalgic vein......!

Nababarsha usually would also arrive with the worries of terminal exams. Nevertheless, the joy of New Year surpassed all worries, pain and trouble.

Those days, I vividly remember, as the eyes would open on the New Year morning, the mind would sing to itself, “Aajke poila boishaakh” or ‘Today is 1st Baisakh”. This phrase, in subconscious mind, I would keep repeating throughout the day. Parents and elder cousins had taught us that 1 Boishaakh is “Poila Boishaakh” and not “Aeklaa boishaakh”.

Those days, we did not splurge on dresses like we do now. We would have new dresses thrice a year: during the New Year, Birthday and Durga Puja and so the occasions were very special. And for the New Year, Ma and Baba would buy me the summery, light cotton frocks, usually the embroidered pastel coloured ones. My parents would also, sometimes, end up buying only the necessary new school shirt or may be a night suit. So, we would get what was needed not what we fancied and we were okay with it.

We went to school on New Year day and throughout the day the mood would be in the highest spirit. During the evenings, we would gather at the humble Bijoya Sammelaan and fulfill it with pranam to the elders, some music, recitation (aabriti) and yummy snacks.

I also spent a couple of New Years at Kolkata where we visited our friendly jewellers for ‘Haal-khaataa’ or the opening of new books of accounts. We would return home with packets of mishti (sweets) and a brand new calendar, neatly rolled and tied with coloured rubber bands. I remember how crazy mother was about New Bangla Calendars and Ponjika (Panchaang).

On returning home, we would retire to bed only after writing the letters to our relatives, “Shubho Naboborsher Pronaam jeno”. The habit of writing these letters on New Year and Viajaya Dashami kept alive the practice of Bangla.

Times have changed and celebrations have changed. My senses still long for the feel and scent of a new crisp cotton dress, the spring air, the exam fever and to top it all, the aroma of special delicacies prepared by Ma on New Year.

Memories remain, years roll by...!

In memory and in celebration, Shubho Nababarsha to all my friends...