“Forty years in the game, and this is my first invite to a meeting like this,” beamed Miles’s Hamin Bhai at Sunday’s New Year planning session.

Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki could not hide his glee, sharing the moment on Facebook—and it is not just Hamin who is feeling the buzz. For the first time, Bengalis, ethnic groups, and genres long side-lined are plotting a Pahela Baishakh that is as diverse as Bangladesh itself.

A room full of firsts

Picture this: band reps, Surer Dhara, Chhayanaut, Saimum, Garo, Marma, and more, all crammed into a room of the ministry, tossing ideas like confetti.

“It was a blast,” Farooki posted. Band music, once sniffed at as “subculture,” and Islamic tunes, often boxed out, joined the mix. “Today, we broke the mould,” he wrote, teasing a central procession that’ll be “more inclusive, more colourful, more musical.” The brainstorming’s done—now the work kicks in.

Rock, baul, and drones—Oh My!

This year’s New Year is not stopping at tradition. Shilpakala Academy’s hosting a Chaitra Sankranti rock concert—think Bengali bands jamming with Chakma, Garo, and Marma acts.

Baul-Fakiri singers get their stage via private gigs, while Surer Dhara and Chhayanaut keep their classics humming. Surer Dhara’s stepping up big, Farooki noted: “They’re blending Bengali hits with ethnic artists singing in their own tongues.” The 14th wraps with a Manik Mia Avenue cultural bash and a nightcap—a “July and New Year” drone show, courtesy of the Chinese Embassy.

Every corner joins in

Farooki’s not keeping it Dhaka-centric. “New Year’s hitting every district and upazila,” he announced, with the ministry doubling funds. Areas rich with ethnic diversity—like Bandarban, where he will catch the Baisabi fest, and Srimangal for the tea workers’ Phagua—get extra love. “Come on, Bangladesh, together,” he rallied, painting a celebration that’s less parade, more party—for everyone.

A festival reborn

From Hamin’s wide-eyed wonder to a line-up that’s got rock riffs and Baul soul, Farooki’s vision is clear: this Pahela Baishakh is not just a date—it is a vibe. Will it stick? If the ministry’s buzz is any hint, Bangladesh is ready to dance into the New Year, united and loud.