Poila Baisakh, or Noboborsho, is the traditional New Year’s Day of the Bengali people. The day is celebrated with joy, cultural pride, and enthusiasm by Bengalis worldwide. Sharing the significance of the day, actress Pallavi Chatterjee says, “We greet people by saying ‘Subho Nabobarsho.’ It’s an auspicious day to start something new and seek blessings from the Almighty and elders. On this day, I go to a temple and perform my puja at home. I also cook a special Bengali meal and try to buy some food and sweets for underprivileged children. If I am in Kolkata, I always go to an NGO (All Bengal Women & Children’s Association) and treat the children to a nice lunch.”
Pallavi shares how her childhood was special during the Bengali New Year. She says, “A family gathering was a must on Bengali New Year, and a traditional, sumptuous meal was prepared by my grandmother, mother, or masi. All our cousins would come over for lunch or dinner, so it used to be simple ‘party time’ for all of us. Lastly, wearing new clothes was mandatory.”
Sharing her plans for this New Year, Pallavi says, “To start my new regime, focus, and connect more with people, as I am relatively new to Mumbai and don’t know many people. Kolkata was very different, as I knew people in the industry and always had more friends outside our industry. I also want to finish the scripts that I have been working on and, of course, prioritise my own health and work, as work is worship for me. This year is very special to me, as my daughter and her pet (Doey) are with me in Mumbai after a long time.”
