Economics of PohelaBoishakh
M S Siddiqui Legal Economist
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The history of the Bangla calendar is not very old. Mughal Emperor Akbar started this calendar year on March 10, 1585, but it came into effect from March 16, 1586 - the day of his ascension to the throne.
DuringMughals’ times, used to collect taxes according to the Hijri calendar.The introduction of Bangla calendar was based on an earlier format that was modified to streamline the collection of agricultural taxes. Tax payment based on the lunar calendar Hijriwas not always convenient for the majority of the payers, the peasantry, whose agricultural produce depended on the regional weather. The farmers were hard pressed to pay taxes out of season. This persuaded Emperor Akbar, a pragmatic person, to seek reforms. A renowned scholar and astronomer, FatehullahShirazi, was entrusted with the task of devising the new Bangla year. His efforts resulted in the juxtaposition of the Hijri calendar and the Bangla solar calendar. This New Year subsequently became known as ‘Bangabda’ or Bengali year.
On the basis of new calendar, Emperor Akbar’s directive to settle alldues on the last day ofChoitroTo make tax payments convenient. The next day was the first day of the New Year (PohelaBoishakh), the day for a new beginning; landlords (Jamandar )would distribute sweets among their tenants, and Businessmen would open a “HalKhata”(new accounts book) and close their old ones. Businessmen used to invite their customers to share sweets and renew their business relationship with them. There were fairs and festivities allover and gradually PoyelaBoishakh became a day of celebration. Even with the abolition of the Zamindari system, 'Punnya', connected with the closing of land revenue accounts, at present, on New Year’s Eve (ChaitraShonkranti), the last day of the month of Chaitra (last day of the year), still the businesses clear their debts. On PahelaBaishakh, NoboBorsho is welcomed on a clean slate (Hal Khata).
The local business transaction based on credit sales throughout the year and the main event of this in payment of outstanding amount and, the first day of the Bangla Year, is associated with the opening of Halkhata or new book of accounts. This financial tradition has continued in our rural areas as well as in mufassil towns and in some of the Hindu-dominated older sections of urban areas e.g. Sankharipatti, Chawkbazar etc. in Dhaka. Jewelers specially follow this cultural practice. They invite the customers to share sweets on this day and renew their business relationship.
The occasion was also given an air of gaiety through the holding of fairs in villages along with other festivities. Dressed in new clothes, Bangalees exchanged visits and generally enjoyed themselves.Mass popularity of PahelaBaishakh started from rural fairs. These fairs provided an outlet for traders and artisans to find a certain market to sell their products of wood, cane, bamboo and mud etc. They also attracted artistes and entertainers in music, games and fun fair. The famous kite flying in Old Dhaka, bull racing in Munshiganj, and wrestling in Chittagong still attract attention at BaishakhiMelas just as much as cockfights, pigeon racing, boat racing and other time-tested entertainments. The singers and performers, BaishakhiMelas have preserved epic folk tales like Laili-Majnoor, Yusuf-Zulekha, and Randha-Krishna.
The artistic and intellectual aspects of this day can also be used to promote economic activities and folk musical entertainment. This can be achieved through performances of Jatra, Palagan, Kavigan, Jarigan, Gambhiragan, Gazirgan and Alkapgan.A predominantly rural country, we have a rich folk heritage that also includes Baul, Marfati, Murshidi and Bhatiali songs.
The celebration start with distribution of sweets by Jamindars with small cultural festival has moved to Dhaka city and other cities among the middle class with evolve of national cultural identity. The celebration of this day began as a part of the cultural movement of the 1960s that adopted Bengalee nationalism as its theme. It added a new dimension to the political movement. As such, it is important that we expand the emphasis of this festival to the grassroots level.
The innovative mind of the Bengalees city dwellers is very much alive of their rural culture and practices. The traditional PantaBhat and ShorsheIlishis still at the top in the cities. The handmade Dug-Dugis and a Tamboura accompany the platter, and a Matir Bank to see you through in lean periods.This traditional platter of leftover rice soaked in water with fried Hilsa, with dried fish (Shutki), pickles (Achar), lentils (dal), green chillies and onions is a very popular dish for the PohelaBoishakh festival. BoishakhiMelasare held throughout Bangladesh where people to celebrate the Bengali culture through dances, stalls of art, music, clothing, food etc.
Dhaka’s emergence as a mega-city, growth of urbanization in Bangladesh, and steady economic growth from the 1990s has had beneficial effects on local industries and employment creation. The middle class emerged with purchasing power to spend on entertainment and shopping for comfort and luxury.PohelaBoishakh fever was everywhere these years. The deshi fashion, food, handicrafts and handmade toys industries all eagerly wait for PahelaBaishakh. It transcended the regular retail stores and Fair throughout the country. Sarees, Salwarkameez, clutches, shoes widely sold and the sales not less than Eid Festival since member of all religions to for shopping at eve of New Year festival.
This national festival with whole hearted participation of all walks of life create opportunity for corporate to promote their brands and products. They are sponsoring a whole lot of open air concerts, Boishakhi fairs and similar events in the Metropolitan city of Dhaka. Some brands have opted for the decentralization technique as a way to break the clutter and many others sponsored events outside Dhaka, proving cynic's notion wrong that PohelaBoishakh is more of an urban obsession.
The festival compliments the brand and adds to a positive equity of the brand. It is taking brands closer to the consumers and emerging as a caring brand is the main target.
The festival starts with patronization of tax collector Jaminder of Emperor and now became a national festival with an economic importance. New year festival of other nations also have similar activities like shopping and entertainment. Banglaees finally converted new year celebration is national festival and also an economic event like any other national events of other nations.
The Corporations prompted to avail the opportunity to promote the products and services. They are sponsoring luxurious programs and even now extended to Bangabandhu International Conference Center investing millions of Taka. The rural mala of handmade food and crafts now sold at posh area with due value addition.
This has a remarkable impact in our economy. The total transaction of the festival is a matter of study of researchers.