'The excitement is gone': Halkhata's colourful past gives way to quiet decline
Today, however, the practice has largely been reduced to a symbolic ritual as tradition fades
The once vibrant tradition of "Halkhata", a hallmark of Pahela Baishakh celebrations, is gradually losing its charm, as digital transformation reshapes business practices and customer habits across Bangladesh.
Traditionally observed on the first day of the Bengali New Year, Halkhata marked the ceremonial opening of new account books by traders, accompanied by festive decorations, invitations to customers, and the exchange of sweets and gifts.
Today, however, the practice has largely been reduced to a symbolic ritual.
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In Old Dhaka's Tanti Bazar, where the tradition once thrived, shop owners recall a time when Halkhata brought overwhelming crowds and lively celebrations.
Rabi Ghosh, who has been running a jewellery shop named "Rittika Jewellers" for over three decades, said the day used to be one of the busiest of the year.
"There was hardly any time to breathe," he said. "The shop would be filled with sweets and gifts, and customers would come in large numbers. Now, all that remains are memories."
Although he still arranges a modest Halkhata event each year to uphold tradition, Ghosh noted that customer participation has dwindled significantly.
"We don't even invite customers like before. Even if we do, very few show up. It's just about maintaining the custom now, there's no joy like before," he added.
A similar sentiment was echoed by Md Robiul Islam, owner of "Taiba Islam Jewellers" in the same area. He observed that the decline has been particularly noticeable over the past decade.
"Earlier, Pahela Baishakh felt truly festive," he said. "Now, we follow the tradition because it has been passed down through generations. A few loyal customers still come when invited, and we arrange sweets and small gifts for them, but the excitement is gone."
The fading significance of Halkhata is also evident in related businesses. Robiul Islam, who has been selling traditional account books in Tanti Bazar for over ten years, said sales have dropped sharply in recent years.
"Before, we couldn't keep up with demand during Pahela Baishakh," he said. "Now, we sit idle most of the time. Over the past four to five years, sales have declined significantly as people shift to digital bookkeeping."
He added that the iconic red-clothed ledger books, once an essential part of the celebration, are also losing their appeal as businesses increasingly adopt digital alternatives.
Another trader, Hitler Chandra Ghoshal, noted that the cultural and social aspects of the tradition have all but disappeared.
"Shops used to be crowded with customers, decorated in colourful designs, with pots full of sweets placed in corners," he said.
The red ledger symbolised new beginnings, where accounts were settled and reopened, Hitler said, adding, "Now, these scenes exist only in memory."
The tradition of Halkhata dates back more than 400 years to the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar, who introduced the Bengali calendar to streamline tax collection. Since then, traders across Bengal have marked the New Year by settling old dues and opening new account books.
On this day, customers would traditionally clear their outstanding balances, while shopkeepers welcomed them with sweets and hospitality, turning a financial practice into a social and cultural celebration.
