SHUBHO NABABARSHO

Bengali New Years Day. (The Year is 1416)

Bengali New Years Day is commonly known as Poila Boishak. It is the first day of the Baishak month. It generally falls on the 14^th or 15^th of April. Like other parts of India, this is also the harvesting month in Bengal. During this time, the rice fields are being harvested (Boro Dhan) and the villagers store rice in their respective homes. This brings smiles all over.

Every home, not only the villages of Bengal, even in urban areas lit up with lots of fun and frolics during this time. There are general celebrations and happiness all around in Bengal.

On Poila Boishak, the traditional Bengali New Years Day, Bengalies are dressed in their best attire. They assemble at the temples to perform puja and seek blessings from the God for their prosperity and happiness. And for businessmen a new Khata (New accounts book) for the current year is being opened which is considered to be auspicious.

Bengalies wish SHUBHO NABABARSHO (Happy New Year) to their relatives and friends.

Traditionally, during this time, the singing, dancing, and festivities are at its best at all Bengali homes. Celebrations are at its peak.

Bengalies assemble at one point and sing the popular Rabindra sageet to well come the New Year ……
Esho he boishakh esho esho,
Taposho niswasho baye; Mumursure dao uraye,
Batsarer aborjona dur hoye jak
Jak puratana smriti; Jak bhue jawa giti;  
Asru baspo sudure milak
Esho he boishak esho esho

Bengalies are very much fond of foods. On any festivities, they just cannot do away with food extravaganza. Poila Boishak is associated with lots, lots and lots of food. Bengalies humorously call it “Bangalir Bhuri Bhoj”(which means Bengalie food for stomach full) . It always calls for much delicious food stuff from Bengal which comprises of Radhaballabhi, cholardal, traditional fish or meat preparations etc. The Bengali sweets such as sandesh, kalakand and most popular of them the illustrious ROSSOGOLLA are essential ingredients of Bengali cuisine during this festival of Bengali New Year. 

Some mouth watering Bengali recipe’ on the occasion of Bengali New Years Day

Sorshe Chingri (Prawn Speciality)
Ingredients
3 cups large prawns, Shelled, De-veined, Cleaned
6 dry red chilies
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
3 tsp cumin seeds
1large pod garlic
1tbsp mustard seeds
3 large onions
1tsp Chili powder

Oil accordingly
Salt as per taste
Garnish with chopped Coriander

Cooking Method:

Grind together the chillies, cumin seeds, garlic, mustard seeds and onions. To this ground paste add turmeric powder and mix. Smear the ground paste on prawns. Heat oil in a pan and add the prawn mix then fry, and add water and bring to boil.

 

Puli Pithe (Sweet Dish)

 

Ingredients:
Rice Powder – 500 Gms
Grated Coconut – 500 gm
Jaggery – 500 gm
Milk – 2-litre
Sugar – 500 gm
Warm Water – 100 gm.

 

Cooking Method:

Make smooth dough of rice powder and warm water. Heat a pan, add jaggery and after melting it add coconut grated. Mix them properly as they make dough like mixture. Boil the milk until it turns half and add sugar in it.

Make small balls with rice dough and stuff the coconut mixtures in it and cover it carefully, which called Pulies. Now add the all pulies in the boiled and hot milk and cover it to cook for 15 minutes.

My dear friends I wish you all SUBHO NABABARSHO to all of you and be happy always.   

ABHIJIT GHOSH

 

 

 

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~ by abghosh77 on April 15, 2009.