‘Alponay Boishakh 1431’ set to welcome Bengali New Year

The country’s largest Alpona festival, titled "Alponay Boishakh 1431," is all set to bring the essence of Bengali culture to life with vibrant strokes of colour and artistry, as the organisers announced on Monday that the artists are ready to infuse the streets with hues of the rich traditions of Bengal.

Asiatic Experiential Marketing Limited, Banglalink Digital Communications Limited, and Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited will implement this collaborative initiative, marking the Pahela Baishakh festivity to welcome the forthcoming 1431 Bengali year.

A press conference was held in A S Mahmud Seminar Hall, Daily Star Centre, on Monday, April 8, joined by Asiatic 3Sixty’s Group Managing Director Iresh Zaker; Chief Executive Officer of Asiatic EXP Mohammad Sayeem; renowned international artist Mohammad Moniruzzaman; artist Sheikh Maniruzzaman Liton; Banglalink Digital Communications Limited’s Chief Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Officer Taimur Rahman and Chief Legal Officer Jahrat Adib Chowdhury; Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited’s Chief Operating Officer and Director Md Mohsin Habib Chowdhury, and its Chief Marketing Officer, Tanzeen Ferdous Alam.

Asiatic Experiential Marketing Limited hosted the annual Alponay Boishakh from 2012 to 2019, organising a cherished Alpona drawing celebration at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital and different locations nationwide to welcome the Bangla New Year.

After a break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the eighth edition of this grand celebration is back as Alponay Boishakh 1431, the organisers announced at the press conference.

This year’s celebration is all set to spread the vibrant spirit of Boishakh across the country, with traditional Alpona to be drawn across three cities: Manik Mia Avenue, Dhaka; Shib Bari More, Khulna; and Mithamoin, Kishoreganj.

The festivities will commence in Mithamoin, Kishoreganj, on April 12, 2024. The Alpona will start simultaneously at Shib Bari More in Khulna and Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka the following day (April 13).

This year, Alponay Boishakh 1431 is all set to make history with the attempt to set a world record with the world’s longest alpona, stretching a remarkable 14 kilometres from Mithamoin Zero Point to Austagram Zero Point, Kishoreganj, the organisers stated.

The festivity in Dhaka will be graced by the Speaker of the National Parliament, Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, as the chief guest. Asaduzzaman Noor MP, Chairman, Asiatic 3Sixty; Sara Zaker, Co-Chairperson, Asiatic 3Sixty; Iresh Zaker, Group Managing Director, Asiatic 3Sixty; Rupali Chowdhury, Managing Director, Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited; Taimur Rahman, Chief Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Officer, Banglalink Digital Communications Limited; and artist Mohammad Moniruzzaman will also be present at the site, along with other distinguished guests.

Besides, high officials of Asiatic 3Sixty, Asiatic EXP, Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited, and Banglalink Digital Communications Limited will attend the events in Mithamoin and Khulna.