Bangladesh is a melting pot of races. She, therefore, has a mixed culture. Her deep rooted heritage is amply reflected in her architecture, literature, dance, drama, music and painting. Bangladeshi culture is influenced by three great religions- Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam in successive order, with Islam having the most pervading and lasting impact. Like a colorful montage, the cultural tradition of the country is a happy blending of many variants, unique in diversity but essence greatly symmetrical.
Our Festivals:
A series of festivals varying from race to race are observed here. Some of the Muslim rites are Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Azha, Eid-e-Miladunnabi, Muharram etc. Hindus observe Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja, Kali Puja and many other pujas. Christmas (Popularly called Baradin in Bangla) is observed by the Christians. And in the hill tracts, during the summer solstice, the small ethnic groups celebrate the new year festival in style (Named Bijhu, Sangrai, Boisu in different ethnic groups). Also, there are some common festivities, which are observed countrywide by people irrespective of races. Pahela Baishakh (the first day of Bangla year) is such a festival. National festivals are Independence Day (26th March), 21st February (the National Mourning Day and World Mother Language Day), The Victory Day (16th December), Rabindra & Nazrul Jayanti etc.
Literature:
Bengalis have a rich literary heritage. The earliest available specimen of Bengali literature is about a thousand-year-old. In that time, Buddhist monks acted as the torch bearers of the very language and literature. During the mediaeval period, Bengali Literature developed considerably with the patronage of Muslim rulers. Chandi Das, Daulat Kazi and Alaol are some of the famous poets of that period. The era of modern Bengali Literature began in the late nineteenth century. Rabindranath Tagore, the Nobel Laureate is a vital part of Bengali culture. Kazi Nazrul Islam, Michael Madhusudan Datta. Sarat Chandra Chattopadhaya, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhaya, Mir Mosharraf Hossain and Kazi Abdul Wadud are the pioneers of modern Bengali Literature. The modern Bangla poetry has been blessed to have poets like Jibanananda Das, D L Ray, Satynedranath Dutta, Jashimuddin and Syed Shamsul Haque. A rich satirical section of the literature is spearheaded by brilliant authors like Syed Mujtaba Ali and Upendranath Banerjee.
Rabindranath Tagore
Kazi Nazrul Islam
Michael Madhushudhan Dutt
Bankimchandara Chattopaddhay
Music:
The traditional music in Bangladesh shares the perspectives of that of the Indian sub-continent. Music in Bangladesh can be divided into three distinct categories – classical, folk and modern. Classical music, both vocal and instrumental is rooted in the distant past of the sub-continent. Ustad Alauddin Khan and Ustad Ayet Ali Khan are two names in classical instrumental music who are internationally known. The store of folk song abounds in spiritual lyrics of Lalan Shah, Hasan Raja, Romesh Shill, Radharaman Dutta, Abdul Karim and many anonymous lyricists. Their mysticism has been mesmerizing the listeners for generations and across the borders. Bangla music arena is enriched with Jari, Shari, Bhatiali, Murshidi and other types of folk songs. Rabindra Sangeet and Nazrul Sangeet are Bengalis' precious heritage. Furthermore, many devotes have written and sung songs for worshipping which have attained cult status and still performed wide (Rajanikanta Sen). Modern music is also practiced widely. Contemporary patterns have more inclinations to west. Pop song and band groups are also coming up mainly in Dhaka City.
Bangalee percussion instruments (Dhol/Dholok)
one Stringed Instrument (Ektara)
Bangladesh has a good number of musical instruments originally of her own. Originally country musical instruments include, Banshi (bamboo flute), Dhol (wooden drums), Ektara (a single stringed instrument), Dotara (a two or four-stringed instrument), Mandira (a pair of metal bawls used as rhythm instrument), Khanjani, Sharinda etc. Now-a-days western instruments such as Guitar, Drums, Saxophone, Synthesizer etc. are being used alongside country instruments.
Arts:
There is a rich tradition of modern painting which was pioneered by Zainul Abedin, Kamrul Hassan, Anwarul Haque, Shafiuddin Ahmed and S. M. Sultan. Zainul Abedin earned international fame for his sketches on famine of 1943 in Bangladesh. Other famous artists of Bangladesh are Abdur Razzak, Qayyum Chowdhury, Murtaza Baseer, Aminul Islam, Debdas Chakraborty, Kazi Abdul Baset, Syed Jahangir, and Mohammad Kibria.
‘The Rebel Cow’, Zainul Abedin
Sangram (Struggle), Zainul Abedin, 1976
Drama:
Drama in Bangladesh has an old tradition and is very popular. In Dhaka more than a dozen theater groups have been regularly staging locally written plays as well as those adopted from famous writers, mainly of European origin. Popular theatre groups are Dhaka Theatre, Nagarik Nattya Sampraday and Theatre. In Dhaka, Bailey Road area is known as 'Natak Para' where drama shows are regularly held. Public Library Auditorium, Shilpakala Academy and Museum Auditorium are famous for holding cultural shows. Dhaka University area is a pivotal part of cultural activities.
Folk Dance:
Classical forms of the sub-continent predominate in Bangladeshi dance. The folk, tribal and Middle Eastern traits are also common. Among the tribal dances, particularly popular are Monipuri and Santal. Rural girls are in the habit of dancing that does not require any grammar or regulations. Bangla songs like Jari and Shari are presented accompanied with dance of both male and female performers. There are also some regional dance forms like Dhamail (Sylhet), Dak (Manikganj), Jhumur, Gambhira (Rajshahi), Dhali (Jashore).
Jatra:
Jatra (Folk Drama) is another vital chapter of Bengali culture. It depicts mythological episodes of love and tragedy. Legendary plays of heroism are also popular, particularly in the rural areas. In the near past jatra was the biggest entertainment means for the rural Bengalis and in that sense for 80% of the population, since the same percentage of the population lived in rural Bangladesh. Now-a-days jatra has been placed in the back seat in the entertainment era. Gradually western culture is occupying the place of traditional culture like jatra. There has been also a tradition of Puthi Paath which includes a soulful and rhythmic recital of heroic tales or melancholy.
Traditional Transport:
There are some transportation means that are parts of culture of Bangladesh. In rural areas bullock carts, buffalo carts and tomtoms (horse carts) are commonly used. In old Dhaka once tomtom was a common vehicle and still it is found, though rare. Bicycles are used both in rural and urban areas. Palki (a box-like vehicle carried on shoulders by four or six men) is a wedding transportation means. Brides are carried to the bridegrooms' places by Palki. Being a land crisscrossed by rivers, Bangladesh has a wide-ranged tradition of ferry transport. Wooden boat popularly called “nawka” is a vital means of rural communication. There are many variants of boat depending on the region and river they sail. Rickshaw is a very common vehicle to Bangladeshis.
Palki
Buffalo Cart
Rickshaw
Clothing:
Bangladeshi women habitually wear Sarees. Jamdani has been famous for its most artistic and expensive ornamental fabric. Muslin, a fine and artistic type of cloth was well-known worldwide for its delicate weaving and intrinsic luxury. Nakshi Kantha, embroidered quilted patchwork cloth produced by the village women, is still familiar in villages and towns simultaneously. A common hairstyle is Beni (twisted bun) that Bangalee women are fond of. Traditionally males wear Panjabis, Fatuas and Lungis. Hindus wear Dhoti for religious purposes. Now-a-days common dresses of males are shirts, pants and sometimes t-shirts.
Government and non-government organizations like Bangla Academy, Nazrul Institute, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Fine arts Institute, Chhayanat etc. play significant role to flourish Bangladeshi art and culture providing encouragement in music, drama, dance, recitation, art etc. Many other cultural organizations are also popularizing Bangladeshi art and culture.
Sports and Recreation:
During the 20th century, football (soccer) emerged as the preeminent sport in Bangladesh. Field hockey, cricket, tennis, badminton, and wrestling also are popular. Bangladesh made its Olympic debut at the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles. Indigenous games of the “touch-and-run” type, however, remain among the favourites of children and youths. One such game, called kabadi, requires each of two teams in turn to send out a player to raid the other’s territory. The raider must, while chanting, touch as many opposing players as he can without taking a breath. Kite flying is another traditional pastime enjoyed by young and old alike. The making of intricate kites from cloth or paper is a distinctive form of visual art as well. For the recent few years, cricket has become the heartbeat of the nation and the country enjoys huge popularity in the world cricket arena through a talented national cricket team.
