KOLKATA: Poila Baisakh (the first day of Bengali Baisakh month) is exclusively a Bengali occasion and it’s no wonder then that various Bengali channels have come up with plans to make it a wonderful beginning with Bengali theme as the main attraction.
Over the years, most of the channels have either looked to launch new reality shows or soap operas or in other cases boast of colourful programmes with star studded crowd and live casting it.
Bengali GEC Aakash Aaath aims to bring in a bouquet of programmes as part of Bengali New Year special. Firstly, the channel will showcase three back to back films featuring renowned artists from 14-16 April. On 15 April, a special two hour live show Akasher Barso Baran will be aired with celebrity artists like Agnibho Banerjee, Madhura Bhattacharya, Madhurima Dutta Chowdhury and Bishak Jyoti Majumder.
Another cuisine special Radhuni Special will be aired with special Baisakhi dishes like Thakur barir mangsho o basanti pulao, paneer moti ball etc. The show will be hosted by celebrity artist Kanchana Moitra.
Aakash Aath director Eshita Surana said, “This is an important occasion for us. People in Kolkata do wait for this festive occasion. Aakash Aath is a Bengali channel, which is close to Bengali hearts. It is the only channel with complete 'bangali aana'. I am celebrating this in a big way on Aakash. In fact we have completely changed the packaging of the channel for three days. Being a Bengali channel, if we miss Poila Baishak, we have done nothing at all and on Aakash, I make it a point to celebrate each festival with the viewers in their mood.”
Colors Bangla, the recently revamped Bengali entertainment channel, has come up with a musical show called Great Music Gurukul, starting 13 April from 9-10 pm.
An official from Colors Bangla said, “We do not have anything special for Bengali New Year this time. Only for Great Music Gurukul, we have a special episode where judges would come dressed in Indian attire.”
While other Bengali channels have musicals lined up, another trend is to have a milieu with the popular TV serial actors and actresses.
Baisakhi Sandha is another common trend where channels live broadcast performances in popular thoroughfares. Special interviews and panel discussions are also common as far as programming on regional news channels is concerned.
Some Bengali news channels also visit homes of viewers as well as cultural associations throughout the day, bringing colourful performances and extravaganza together.
