Kolkata, Apr 15 : Residents in West Bengal participated in celebrations and revelry to welcome ''Poila Boisakh'' or the traditional New Year in the state.

''Poila Baisakh'' marks the beginning of the Bengali New Year, which they celebrate in a grand manner by taking out colourful processions on the streets.

During the procession, the melodious strains of Rabindra Sangeet, songs written and composed by Nobel laureate and poet Rabindranath Tagore filled the air as women wearing bright colourful saris, men in white tunics and children in colourful costumes walked through the city streets singing the songs.

Besides singing and dancing, traditional Bengali cuisine is also an integral part of celebrations. The procession was organised by ''Bangla Bhasa O Chetana Samiti''.

The secretary of the organisation, Imanul Haque said that the procession has been organised with a purpose of making people aware about Bengali culture and to mark the occasion.

"It is our duty to revive our culture, our language and our education. So, we started a rally, with Bengali folk dance on Bengali folk tunes. We observed this with our old food ''Panta Bhaat Sutki'' (Rice soaked in water and dried fish), Maach bhaat aalo posto (Fish, rice and potato cooked with poppy seeds). Poila Boisakh connects all ethnic Bengalis irrespective of religious and regional differences," said Haque.

Traditionally, the festival is a day to be spent rejoicing with family and friends. For traders, it is time to close one set of accounts and open another.

Poila Baisakh celebrations spread over almost a week and a variety of cultural programmes are held across the state to mark the occasion. (ANI)