Shubho Nobo Borsho!
That would be Happy New Year, when translated. Today is the first day of the Bengali calendar, the first month being Boishakh. It is a day when new business enterprises are launched and also when business people open new ledger books, called Haal Khata. Ganesha, the god who bestows good fortune is worshipped and customers are requested to settle their previous dues. Everyone also gets free refreshments in the form of sweets and other savouries from the businessmen.
In fact, it is considered auspicious to start anything new on this day. Youngsters are often encouraged to make pledges to study harder throughout the year to come or hone other skills on this first day of the year.
Poila Boishakh, or the first of Boishakh has a special place in my heart. It's a day when we wear new clothes, feast on good food, and enjoy cultural functions. A day to spread cheer all around. A time when young people pay respect to their elders by touching their feet. The elders in turn shower their blessings to the younger generation.
So here's wishing all of you a wonderful Poila Boishakh and a great year to follow :).
Sury
Note: That image is of a stitch pattern indigenous to Bengal. It's an embroidered quilt known as Nakshi Kantha. The motifs are taken from everyday life in rural Bengal and are done by ordinary womenfolk of the region. These quilts are also an example of thrift as pieces of old cloth are stitched together to produce something new.
posted by Sury at
7:45 AM
11 comment(s):
Shubho Nobo Borsho to you Sury. May this year bring you lots of happiness.
By
Anonymous, at
12:33 AM
Thanks, Luv2Cook! Hearty best wishes go out to you too :)
By
Anonymous, at
8:42 AM
Shubho Nobo Borsho, Sury. That's a very nice Nakshi Kantha.
By
Anonymous, at
10:46 PM
Shubho Nobo Borsho!!! May this one be an excellent year for you :D I know you'll make it a great one. Many hugs!
By
Anonymous, at
10:47 PM
Happy new year Sury. I love all Bengal textiles. The jamdani, kantha, dhakai are all so breathtaking. The nakshi kantha is really beautiful...
By
Anonymous, at
12:40 AM
Hola: saludos desde Tijuana, en Mexico.
Nice blog. I see you again.
By
Anonymous, at
6:18 AM
Thank you so much, Ash, Cesar, Anonymous, Populor.
Cesar, many hugs back at you :)
Anonymous, do I know you? I guess you forgot to write your name in the comment. Shubho Nobo Borsho anyway :)
Populor, looks like you have a great blog too. I loved the images. If only I knew Spanish :(. Welcome to our blog and do keep visiting :)
By
Anonymous, at
9:34 AM
Hi sury,
Happy Shubo Boishak to u and ur family.
Vineela
By
Anonymous, at
8:15 PM
Any idea how to convert Bengali date to Gregorian?
By
Anonymous, at
8:15 PM
Hi Mashud. Welcome to the blog :)
Yes, grandpa taught me the conversion in my childhood. Just add 593 to the Bengali year and you get the Western year. This is the year 1413 according to the Bengali calendar.
By
Anonymous, at
10:10 PM
Vineela, thanks for the good wishes. Best wishes to you and yours too :)
By
Anonymous, at
10:12 PM
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