Culture

 

A new state for an old nation, Bangladesh has a culture that encompasses elements both old and new. The Bangla language boasts a rich literary heritage, which Bangladesh shares with West Bengal and Assam province of India. The first literary text in Bangla is the eighth century Charyapada. Bangla literature in the medieval age was often either religious (e.g. Chandidas), or adaptations from other languages (e.g. Alaol). Bangla literature matured in the nineteenth century. Its greatest icons are poets Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam. Bangladesh also has a long tradition in folk literature, evidenced by Maimansingha gitika, Thakurmar Jhuli or stories related to Gopal Bhar. The musical tradition of Bangladesh is lyrics-based (Baniprodhan), with minimal instrumental accompaniment. The Baul tradition is a unique heritage of Bangla folk music, and there are numerous other musical traditions in Bangladesh, which vary from one region to the other. Gambhira, Bhatiali, Bhawaiya are a few of the better-known musical forms. Folk music of Bengal is often accompanied by the ektara, an instrument with only one string. Other instruments include the dotara, dhol, flute, and tabla. Bangladesh also has an active heritage in North Indian classical music. Similarly, Bangladeshi dance forms draw from folk traditions, especially those of the tribal groups, as well as the broader Indian dance tradition. Bangladesh produces about 80 films a year. Mainstream Hindi films are also quite popular, as are films from Kolkata, which has its own thriving Bengali-language movie industry. Around 200 dailies are published in Bangladesh, along with more than 1800 periodicals. However, regular readership is low, nearly about 15% of the population. Bangladeshis listen to a variety of local and national radio programmes, as well as Bangla services from BBC and VOA. There is a state-controlled television channel, but in the last few years, privately owned channels have grown considerably. The culinary tradition of Bangladesh has close relations to Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine as well as having many unique traits. Rice and fish are traditional favourites; leading to a common saying that "fish and rice make a Bengali" (machhe bhate bangali). Meat Consumption has increased with higher production in recent years. Bangladeshis make distinctive sweetmeats from milk products; some common ones are Rashogolla, Chomchom and Kalojaam. Sari is by far the most widely worn dress by Bangladeshi women. However, Salwar kameez is also quite popular, and in urban areas some women wear western attire. Among men, European dressing has greater acceptance. Men also use the kurta-pajama combination, often on religious occasions. The lungi, a kind of wraparound, is widely worn in rural areas. The two Eids, Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha are the largest festivals in the Islamic calendar. The day before each Eid in called Chand Raat (The night of the moon), and is often marked by firecrackers. Other Muslim holidays are also observed. Major Hindu festivals are Durga Puja and Saraswati Puja. Buddha Purnima, which marks the birth of Gautama Buddha, is one of the most important Buddhist festivals while Christmas, called Boro din (Great day) in Bangla is celebrated by the minority Christian population. The most important secular festival is Nobobarsha or New year, the beginning of the Bengali calendar. Other festivities include Nobanno, Poush parbon (festival of Poush) and observance of national days like Shahid dibosh. Cricket is one of the most popular sports in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh cricket team was granted test cricket status and joined the elite league of national teams permitted by the International Cricket Council to play test matches in 2000. Other popular sports include football (soccer), field hockey, tennis, badminton, handball, kabadi, volleyball, chess, and carom. Kabadi, a 7-a-side team-sport played without a ball or any other equipment, is the national sport of Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Sports Control Board regulates 29 different sporting federations.

 

    

 

Nature of Bangladesh

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

Bangladesh Culture