Mid-February, the first day of spring
পহেলা ফাল্গুনের শাড়ি
Sarees for Pohela Falgun
ফাল্গুনের প্রথম দিন ঢাকা হলুদ হয়ে যায় — বাসন্তী শাড়ি, খোঁপায় গাঁদা, চারুকলার সামনে ভিড়। দিনটা আরামের: শীত যাচ্ছে, গরম আসেনি, সুতি আর হাফসিল্ক দুটোই চলে।
The colour· রং
Basanti — the yellow of spring — with orange and marigold beside it. A yellow Tangail cotton with a red or green border, a half-silk in mustard, a cotton Jamdani in a warm gold: any of them is the day. Green borders and green blouses are the usual pairing.
The cloth· কাপড়
Cotton or half-silk; the weather allows both and the day is spent walking. It is the one festival where a lighter silk is comfortable outdoors, if you want the sheen.
With it· সঙ্গে
Flowers in the hair — marigold, palash if you can find it — glass bangles, and flat sandals for the crowds. Keep the zari light; the flowers are the ornament.
When to buy· কখন কিনবেন
A week or two before. Falgun overlaps the end of wedding season and Valentine's Day, so shops are busy but the courier is not yet at Eid levels.
Have it in hand 1 week ahead
Time for the first wash, the fall and pico, and a blouse. The bigger the day, the fuller the couriers and the tailors.
প্রশ্ন · Questions
বাসন্তী রং ছাড়া চলে? · Must it be yellow?
It is the tradition and most of the crowd, but orange, green and red all belong to the day.
শীত থাকলে? · What if it is still cold?
A half-silk, and a shawl for the morning. By noon in February Dhaka is warm.
কত আগে কিনব? · How far ahead should I buy?
One to two weeks; the rush is milder than Boishakh or Eid.
Other occasions
RAFI SHAREES, Mirpur 10, Dhaka. Updated 2026-09-27.