Shibbir Ahmed, New York: Times Square in New York City turned into a vibrant hub of celebration on Saturday as thousands gathered to welcome the Bengali New Year 1433. The day-long event, organized by NRB Worldwide with support from the New York State Senate, brought together members of the Bangladeshi diaspora, artists, writers, and American political figures. A total of 27 segments throughout the day kept the audience engaged.
The opening ceremony featured distinguished participants including Bishwajit Saha, Rokeya Haider, Hossain Kabir, and Mohitosh Talukdar Tapas. Greetings displayed on a large digital screen included messages from prominent figures such as Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Donovan Richards Jr., Grace Meng, and John Liu. A tribute was also paid marking the birth centenary of renowned writer Shamsuddin Abul Kalam, followed by a literary discussion hosted by Tofazzal Liton. The opening musical performance was delivered by Kartik Chandra.
The first half of the day featured music and dance performances, including solo acts by children, songs by Alvan Chowdhury, dance performances by Ranjani, and artistic showcases by Chitra. A special presentation of “Mymensingh Geetika” was performed by Jibon Chowdhury. Artists from Nepal, Laos, and Thailand also participated, highlighting multicultural diversity. A thematic performance titled “Six Seasons” further enriched the program.
At midday, an award ceremony honored international guests and community representatives, hosted by Dr. Kollol Basu. A commemorative publication was unveiled by Rokeya Haider and Bishwajit Saha.
In the afternoon, a stage play titled “Jyoti Songhita” was performed. The program also included a colorful procession, a tribute to legendary composer Salil Chowdhury, a performance of protest songs by Rahman Tito, dance presentations by Adda and Srishti Academy, folk songs by Shah Mahbub, and a performance by the Odissi Dance Academy. A special tribute segment was dedicated to iconic actor Uttam Kumar.
In the evening, children participated in a mass choral performance titled “Shatokonthe Borshoboron,” followed by a collective performance by senior artists. The program concluded at 10 PM with closing musical performances by Rituporna Banerjee from Kolkata and Nakul Kumar Biswas from Dhaka.
In their closing remarks, organizers stated that the Times Square celebration has grown into a significant cultural event on the international stage, symbolizing unity and cultural pride among the global Bengali community.
