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“Kakrail paar hoye
Shantinagar er chourasta theke prothom baanye
Eshe gechi ami
Bailey Road e”
Late Ayub Bachchu, the lead singer of the Bangladeshi pop-rock group LRB (Love Runs Blind), included Bailey Road in a song, demonstrating the road's significance in the lives of the people of Dhaka. Bailey Road, an iconic thoroughfare in Dhaka, is a testament to the dynamism and pulse of the capital city.
Bailey Road connects the Siddheshwari junction with the Kakrail-Ramna Road by passing through the Shantinagar area. Originally, the road carried Sir Steuart Colvin Bayley's name, who served as Bengal's lieutenant governor from 1879 to 1882.
On August 26, 2005, Sadek Hossain Khoka, then mayor of Dhaka, said that Bailey Road would now be known as Natok Shoroni, or 'Theater Road,' in honour of the road's significance to the city's theatre community. Over the years, it has also earned its reputation as an educational enclave, as some reputed schools and colleges, namely Viqarunnisa Noon School and College and Siddheswari Girls' College, have been built here.
On the weekdays, Bailey Road awakens with the soft glow of dawn. Students of schools and colleges triumph over the morning birds with their chatter as they join the city's busy life.
Bailey Road is a treasure trove of saree boutiques, from traditional to contemporary woven sarees, ensuring that saree lovers find the perfect ensemble for festivals or everyday elegance. Be it any occasion, Tangail Saree Kutir, Tant Kutir, Tangail Tant Ghar has got you covered.
Street markets dotted along the road showcase churi, jhumka, and other artisanal products. If you think about it, then it's truly a contrast of the whole Dhaka in one lane.
For food lovers, Bailey Road is not just a destination; it's a sensory exploration, cultural feast, and culinary arts celebration. The street food scene on Bailey Road is a feast for the senses.
From fuchka to momos, from mouth-watering kebabs to piping hot chai, each bite tells a tale of culinary heritage, inviting you to join the symphony of flavours that echo through the air.
At every step, there's a restaurant featuring every cuisine one can think of. You'll find everything here: BFC, Swiss, KFC, Madchef, Khana's, and Burger Express. If one loves food and experiences new eateries, then this place will ensure every dining adventure is a memory to savour.
The street changes as dusk falls, adorned by the gentle glow of streetlights. Groups of youth gather spontaneously on the sidewalks with guitars and start singing. That is a whole new side of Bailey Road that one will witness.
People are shopping, youths are playing the guitar and enjoying themselves with friends, some are having food, and some are just hanging out with their loved ones hand in hand. The night becomes an organic fusion of music, shared moments, and the gentle rustle of leaves overhead, creating a fiesta that unfolds like a lullaby for the city.
"I remember walking around Mintu Road with a special person wearing a red saree. The sun was playing hide and seek in between the trees and he would tell me that I look brighter than the sun itself," shared Afra Ibnat about her Bailey-date.
This Jahangirnagar University student also shared another memory about betting with her friend on Velpuri. According to her, Velpuri in front of Mohammadpur Preparatory High School was the best, untill she had some from the sellers in front of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College. She lost a huge sum to her friend that day, 20 taka!
Jannatul Mawa Ritu, a resident of Bailey Road, said, "I've called Bailey Road home for more than a decade now, and it's like a microcosm of Dhaka's history. You'll find everything here, starting from daily necessities to food to educational institutions - everything. It has this unique ability to adapt without losing its essence."
When asked how Bailey Road has influenced a student's social life, Maisha Maliha, a Viqarunnisa Noon School and College student, said, "It's become a central hub for socialising. The cafes, the music, the street food—it's a rendezvous point for different worlds. Whether it's catching up with friends, attending impromptu jam sessions, or just soaking in the ambience, Bailey Road offers a space for connection and community."
If you envision a place where people from different walks of life continue to come together, where cultural heritage is celebrated, and where the spirit of Dhaka thrives, then Bailey Road will never stop to amaze you.