In digital age haalkhata & Bengali calendars make cultural comeback for Poila Baisakh
Times of India | 15 April 2025
Kolkata: In the age of cloud computing and digital accounting, the humble haalkhata — the traditional ledger — has scripted a cultural comeback this Poila Baisakh. Haalkhata marks the beginning of the new financial year for the trading community. On this day, shopkeepers invite customers to settle previous dues and start anew — often with a gift, sweets, and a puja.
Across the bustling lanes of Baithakkhana, between Sealdah and Amherst Street, shops gleamed with a fresh coat of paint. Traders selling the red-bound ledger book were busy catering to traders queuing to purchase haalkhatas. Many shops were decorated with red and gold banners and marigold flower-framed entrances, indicating the arrival of Poila Baisakh.
"The demand for haalkhata dipped in the last two decades with the advent of digital tools for account keeping. Several shops changed their line of business, selling other things due to low demand for the ledger books. But come Bengali New Year, haalkhata sales rise, and it is a tradition to start new books of accounts," said Biswajit Sarkar, who sells ledger books during haalkhata.
For many, it's about more than just business. "It is an annual tradition that our regular clients visit us for the haalkhata day with their family. We do a small puja and make a token entry in the new ledger book and distribute sweets," said Oindrila Basu, a saree trader in Hatibagan.
Similarly, while Bengali calendars (Panjika) have seen a drop in sales over the years, Poila Baisakh still witnesses a surge in their demand. Several shops on College Street, which sell other things throughout the year, shift to selling Bengali calendars before Poila Baisakh.
"Bengali calendars are an integral part of Poila Baisakh, reflecting the cultural heritage and tradition of the community," said Santanu Das, who sells calendars on College Street. "Statistically, the sale of Bengali calendars has gone down severely. The sale fluctuates quite a lot; some days the purchase count is around 30, while on others it is below 10. Only the families who are deeply rooted in Bengali tradition have kept on the trend of purchasing Bengali calendars," said Santanu Bhattacharya, Hindustan Library, College Street.