Bangladeshis in Toronto to Hold 'Boishakhi Mela' on April 14 and 15

A poster on a fence on Danforth Avenue of Toronto announces the two-day programme of the Boishakhi Mela

Another poster on the window of the Ghoroa Restaurant on the Danforth Avenue displaying the Bengali New Year programme

A chalk-board inside the Ghoroa Restaurant announces the 1st of Boishakh (the first month of the Bengali year) rally to be held on April 15

All photos (Toronto: April 7, 2012) © Jerome D'Costa

Bangladeshis are to hold their sixth Boishakhi Mela (Bangla New Year Fair) on April 14 and 15 at Ted Reeve Hockey Stadium on Main and Gerrard Streets in Toronto. Each day, the fair will start at 11:00 a.m. and continue until 1:00 a.m. in early morning next day. 

The two-day fair will mark cultural shows (singing, dancing, play acting, poetry recitation, stand-up comedy), food and other stalls, and raffle draws on one LCD TV, a laptop computer and a DVD player. Food stalls, among other items, will sell typical Bengali food items like pitha, payesh, panta-ilish, shutki, jhaal-muri, and cotton candy). The second day will also see a rally.

Children will enjoy shows by clowns, face painting and mehendi painting on their hands.

The best stall and the best boishakhi dress will win prizes.

Several thousand Bangalis (Bengalees) and Canadians are expected  to attend this fair. Bangalis all over the world observe the Pohela Boishakh with much fanfare.