For the first time after the start of the Covid pandemic two years ago, Chhayanaut will welcome the Bengali new calendar year 1429 with cultural festivities at Ramna Park on April 14 this year.

However, as Pahela Baishakh will be observed during the holy month of Ramadan, the festivities have been scaled down, the cultural institution said Saturday.

"In the past two years, we remained confined to home due to the global pandemic. However, taking stock of the current situation, Chhayanaut has stepped up to welcome the Bengali New Year 1429 with its traditional festivity again at the Ramna Batamul," Chhayanaut President Sanjida Khatun said.

Inspired by the success of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair this year, the institution has started taking adequate preparations to organise its traditional festivity at the Ramna Batamul to welcome the Bengali New Year 1429, Chhayanaut Executive President Dr Sarwar Ali said.

Usually, more than a hundred Chhayanaut performers participate and showcase their musical performances every year at a live event in Ramna.

However, considering the health protocols as well as the month of holy Ramadan, this time "we have reduced the number of performers and the overall duration of our event," Chhayanaut General Secretary Laisa Ahmed Lisa told.

Chhayanaut, founded in 1961, has earned global fame for organising the traditional, extravagant cultural festivity of Pahela Baishakh at Ramna Park every year.

The only exception was in 1971, during the Liberation War of Bangladesh, then the last two years due to Covid.

The traditional cultural presentation of Chhayanaut marking the Pahela Baishakh - one of the most coveted and long-awaited festivities in Bangladesh - has earned its fame as one of the grandest regular cultural celebrations in the world.