Bibriti Chatterjee
Notun jama on Poila Baisakh is something every Bengali can relate to. Since childhood, for me, it had to be a new outfit on Poila Baisakh. When I was a kid, my mother used to buy a frock for me. Now, it is an ethnic wear. This year will be memorable for me as I will wear a sari gifted by me to me.
Anindita Bose
I remember, when I was a child, I really wanted a sari for Poila Baisakh once. But saris were not available in our size at that time. So, my mother bought a new dupatta and draped it into a sari. I was three or four years old, I think.
Susmita Chatterjee
Poila Baisakh has a different meaning for me because my mom’s birthday falls on that day. Once I gifted my mom a beautiful sari on her birthday and I loved it so much that instead of her wearing it, I wore it on Poila Baisakh! That will always be my favourite notun jama memory.
Anusha Viswanathan
I was always very excited about Poila Baisakh. I used to look forward to getting new clothes. I would want new clothes but unfortunately, my grandmother would buy the most colourful, bright clothes from New Market and it was something I almost never loved. Even then, I had to wear them and get dolled up by her. I definitely don’t have the same excitement any more but look forward to wearing a sari.
Monami Ghosh
When we were kids, tailor-made outfits were more special than ready-made clothes. I was probably in class five or six, and had kept a style in mind throughout the year to get that dress made during Poila Baisakh. That was really special.
Rajnandini Paul
Every year my mom asks me what I want and every year I say that I don’t need anything. I shop throughout the year. But every year, she gives me a surprise. She gets a salwar or a lehnga and she leaves it on the bed. She makes it a point to make it a surprise. Even if I don’t need anything, I know she will get something for me. It is the effort that she puts behind these things that touches me more.
Devlina Kumar
Still now, the elders of my family give me new clothes on Poila Baisakh. Every year on Poila Baisakh I get a sari. I remember, when I was in college, once I was travelling to Dhaka and Chittagong and we had reached late at night. People went for dinner after reaching there but even at 11pm I got ready again in a sari. I had spent Poila Baisakh alone but had to wear a sari.
Moubani Sorcar
The memory I hold dear to my heart is how my mother used to pamper us on Nava Varsha with new clothes . And I remember this mirror-work denim top that she bought for me once. I have been wearing it for the last 12 years and it still looks the same. I wore it with a skirt, with a sari, and every time I wear it, people compliment me.
Pictures: Sourced from the actresses