The blazing sun begins to burn the dejection of life with the gusty wind sweeping away all the grime of failures as the last day of the old year draws to a close. With hope thus rekindled the treble and soprano of the summer tune vibrates in the atmosphere; farmers grin with delight at the prospect of a rich harvest, businessmen open new balance sheets, professionals wait eagerly for their turn to step on to the next tread up on their career ladder.

This is the significance of celebration marking Pahela Baishakh, the Bengali New Year Day, the most auspicious and vibrant of all cultural fiestas in Bangladesh. On 14th April, Bengalis irrespective of religion and creed will gather on the same platform to welcome the first day of the first month of the Bengali calendar to rejoice in the rich and gorgeous Bengali heritage. Befitting the occasion is the sartorial savoir-faire to be displayed in the dress people from all walks of life will be wearing on this grand occasion which is why fashion forms the vital part of Pahela Baishakh.

Although the main theme of Pahela Baishakh is white sari with red border for women and punjabis for men, the latest trend has brought a mellow blending of red and white tinged with some other vivacious colors such as orange, yellow and maroon. As many people are becoming more and more fashion conscious day by day they are willing to pay high price for looking awesome on such special days. To cater for diverse fashion tastes in the New Year, most of the boutiques have arranged great collections for both men and women. I visited some of them to catch up on the repertoire of Baishakhi Fashion, this year.

Bibiana: Bibiana is going to arrange splendid fairs from 1st April to 14th April in its different outlets where you can get saris, skirts, tops and scarves for women and punjabis for men. In addition to checks and stripes and hand paint some saris have painted on them words from the poems of legendary Rabindranath Tagore and Jibananda Das. To match your chosen dress you can get in the Bibiana outlets traditional jewelries made of different metals.

Dressydale: Dressydale is going to launch a fourteen-day event called "Baishakh Utshab 1415" in its outlets in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet, starting on the first day of April. The fashion house claims that the event will be a dazzling and colorful one where you will get saris and salwar kameez suits that have an authentic traditional touch.

Kay Kraft: Kay Kraft is to showcase its wide-ranging Baishakh collections in each of its showrooms from the 28th of March until 14th April. On display and for sale will be saris, salwar kameez suits and skirt-tops for women and punjabis and fatuas for men and 'duet' dresses for couples. The fashion house has also worked on accessories and children's outfits. Every dress that Kay Kraft has designed has the feel of freshness of Baishakh.

Rang: Rang is going to display an extensive collection of dresses, accessories, bags and many other products for you and your home from 4th April to 14th April. To create something different, Rang has used various forms drawn on rickshaws, terracotta and other artifacts to design saris, salwar kameez, punjabis and fatuas. The fashion house will open its new outlet in the Bashundhara residential area on 4th April.

Saaj: In its outlet at Banani, Dhaka, and in Sylhet, Saaj is going to present the best dresses of Baishakhi essence they have in store. Crepe silk, muslin and chiffon are some of the materials the fashion house has used for saris including jamdani, salwar kameez suits and fatuas, all having vibrant designs on them embellished with beads, chumki, karchupi, stones, shells and so on.

All the fashion stores with their innovative designs are now poised to draw the rush from fashion lovers. Already the fashion bazaar is buzzing with expectant salespeople and as the big day dawns a few days from now the mood is taking on joviality in every household with the means to spend the extra money.

-Oditi Shirleena Mostafa