Pohela Boishakh 2024 Playlist: Immerse yourself in the sounds of Bengal!

Shubonoborsho! Bengalis all over the world celebrate Pohela Boishakh, the first day of the new year. It is a time to pay homage to the rich heritage, traditions and beautiful Bengali language (Bangla), which is the second most spoken language in India. Duolingo, the world’s leading language learning platform, will be joining in the celebration. Here is a playlist of iconic Bengali melodies by Rabindranath Tagore, Kishore Kumar and Anupam Roy. Immerse yourself in the sounds of Bengal and embrace the spirit of Pohela Boishak.

Welcoming Bengali New Year with symbolic music

1. Esho He Boishak by Rabindranath Tagore
   Tagore’s poetic call welcomes the new year and echoes in the breeze, urging “Eso he Boishak, Eso Eso” (Come, O Boishak, come, come). “Botsorer aborjona dur hoye jaak,” he encourages, bidding farewell to past sorrows. , Jerk, Eso Eso” (Let the sorrows of last year go away, go, go, come, come).
2. By Nabo Anande Jago Aaji and Hemanta Mukherjee
   Hemanta Mukherjee’s melodious tones offer heartfelt wishes for a prosperous new year in Bengali with the lyrics, “Naba Anonde Jaago Aaj Navarabikiran, Shubhra Sunder Preethi Ujjal Nirmal Jibane”. A new light of sunlight, to a bright, beautiful and sacred life.
3. Written by Anupam Roy, Kolkata
   For those who are away from home, the song evokes deep nostalgia and encapsulates the emotion and essence of the city of Kolkata, evoking nostalgia for home with the lyrics, “Kolkata tumio hete deko Kolkata, tumio vebe” . dekho jabe kina jabe amar sathe” (Kolkata, you too should see Kolkata, you too should think, whether you will go with me or not).
4. Bangla Murti Bangla Jal by Rabindranath Tagore
   “Bangral mati, Banglal jol, Banglal bhayu, Banglal phal. Punyo hauk hay bhagoban (Bengal soil, Bengal water, Bengal air, Bengal fruit, God bless you)…Rabindra Nath Tagore praised the lives of Bengal through this ‘state song’ and beautifully wrote the essence of Bengal. Heart, forest, land, home, air, and hope.
5. Aloka Ai Jaana Dhalai, written by Kishore Kumar.
   In his timeless voice, Kishore Kumar expresses his desire to begin the quest for enlightenment, the pursuit of knowledge, and the appreciation of the beauty of the simple things in life: “(Immerse me in the waterfall of light, keep me hidden in the dust while Immersed in the essence of light)
6. Ki Mishti Dekho Mishti by Sandhya Mukherjee
   Sandhya Mukherjee beautifully captures the joy and sweetness of the morning with the song ‘Ki Mishti Dekho Mishti’ and with the lyrics ‘Sura jharna mana mane na, Dana mele jaye urre mona’ music transcends rules and predicts the mind It tells you that it will lead you to an impossible place. (A melody that doesn’t follow the rhythm. A bee flies when it touches a flower. Her heart sways like the breeze.)
7. Ami Banglai Gaan Gai by Pratul Mukhopadhyay
   Pratul Mukhopadhyay’s Bengali hymn, this song celebrates and celebrates all aspects of Bengali identity. “Aami banglai balobashi, aami banrai balobashi. Aami bangla ke balobashi, aami tali haat dol, sara pritibil manush el kache asi” (I love Bengali, I love Bengali, I will hold your hand and meet people from all over the world) This is a tribute to the Bengali heritage and the deep connection that Bengalis feel. Towards our roots.
8. “Ekla Chalo Re” by Rabindranath Tagore
   Ring in the new year with this endearing poem that echoes Tagore’s poignant words: “Jodi alo na dhôre, ore ore o ôbhaga, Jodi jhôŗ-badole ãdhar rate duar dêe ghôre” (If no one supports you). When light and fierce storms plague the night, and the thunderous flame of pain ignites alone in your heart, and let it burn brightly, even in the darkest of storms, the individual makes his way with his own light. I urge you to proceed.

No matter where you are or who you are with, these 8 famous Bengali songs will fill your Pohela Boishak with joy. Their melodies transport you, evoke a sense of belonging, and make you feel at home.

Relax, celebrate and immerse yourself in Bengal’s rich culture through these timeless classics.