To a foreign friend describing a Bengali festival

12.04.2021
13, Shantibagh,
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Dear Jane
It was lovely receiving your letter after so long. I am glad you had fun at your grandparents during your holidays. You had asked me in an earlier letter to tell you something about Bengali festivals.
        As you know Bangladesh is home to various cultures and religions so there are numerous festivals celebrated round the year. My favourite is the Baishakhi festival which is held on 1st  Baishak  (14 April). It is the only festival which is celebrated by all the Bengalis the world over and is participated by people of all faiths.

       Baishakhi is the festival of colour, fun, gaiety and tradition. On this day, boys (and men) wear Punjabi (a long loose shirt) of mainly red colour and the girls (and ladies)wear red hued sarees or kurta shalwar (a short gown and long pants). People throng at the different fairs which are held all around the country. The main program starts off at the shade of a hundred  year old Banyan tree at the Ramna Park, the largest park in Dhaka city. The event is celebrated by traditional songs, dance and puppet shows. Open air concerts are also staged at different venues all over Bangladesh. On this day people eat panta ilish;   a dish made with rice soaked in water and fried Hilsah fish. We all have lots of fund and wait eagerly for the next Baishakh to come.

      It would be lovely if you could participate in this festival yourself. For now I am attaching some photos for this year’s Baishakhi festival. Hope you can recognize me! Do write soon.

 
Yours ever, 

   Kakoly