A packed Gariahat, shoppers busy picking saris and panjabis, and sweet shops ready for a steady rush from early morning are Poila Boishakh scenes for most of us. For actress Angana Roy , this time of year takes her back to her childhood in Asansol, rituals, and to celebrations that have evolved over the years. For this festive edition, Angana takes CT around her favourite shops, browsing, buying and trying out all things bright and beautiful.

New beginnings and poila boishakh shopping


For Angana, Poila Boishakh is tied to her memories of spending summer vacations at her uncle’s house in Asansol. “Life felt simple and full of warmth there. My days during Naboborsho were filled with excitement and trips to jewellery shops for Bengali calendars and sweet boxes. Haal khata was a big thing, and almost every shop celebrated it. Visiting each shop with dadu in a new frock was a must,” she recalled, adding that the house always buzzed with laughter and lavish lunches of mutton, gondhoraj lebu diye dal, and payesh during this time of the year. As life changed, she carried those traditions to Kolkata, continuing rituals of gratitude and buying clothes for family. For her, the day now means good food, adda, music, and shopping during the Chaitra sale at Gariahat. “I still buy junk jewellery no matter how many I already have,” she laughed, adding that draping a sari, hosting a puja at home, and memories of Asansol make the day special.




What’s hot in stores this season



If you are yet to begin your Poila Boishakh shopping, head to Gariahat or Dhakuria. Here’s what’s trending:

• Cotton Ajrakh shirts: Rs350 onwards


• Wrap around skirts (Solid/ Printed): Rs450 onwards


• Cotton palazzo pants: Rs450


• Cotton blouses: Rs300 onwards


• Cotton panjabi: Rs350 onwards


• Saris: Rs1,000 onwards


• Bedcover (Single): Rs550 onwards


• Bedcover (Double): Rs850 onwards


• Chikankari kurtas: Rs1,000 onwards


• Silver Afghani jewellery: Rs1,200 onwards


• Printed ceramic plates: Rs100 onwards

Home décor, rituals and festive style

This year, Angana plans to add a decorative urli to her living room. “These look beautiful when decorated with petals,” she says. For Poila Boishakh, she also wishes to bring home a mangal ghot, and place it at the doorstep through the year for prosperity. She reveals how her mother has always made it a tradition to buy new utensils on this day, a practice she continues to this day. When it comes to dressing up, saris remain a must. “This year I will also buy a Chikankari kurta, as they not just look elegant, but are perfect for summers,” she said.