Culture

Bangladesh: Pre-history

Evidence suggests that an Indo-Aryan population entered the territory between 3,000 and 4,000 years back, and thus, the civilization has begun. The Mughal dynasty conquered the region in the 16th century. Following the waves of migration, the Portuguese, Armenians, French, and British have set their trade outposts in the territory. In 1757 the British force conquered the region, defeating Nawab Siraj-ud-Dwolla, the last Nawab of the Mughal dynasty. The 190 years of British rule concluded in 1947. Pakistan ruled the territory as East Pakistan from 1947 to 1971. Bangladesh becomes an independent country on 16th December 1971.

Bangladesh: Cultural history

History witness the strength of the culture of the territory and present Bangladesh. From Mughals to Portuguese, Armenians, French, British, and Pakistan have adopted various traditions, customs, and cultures. Thus, the culture of independent Bangladesh is blended and enriched.

Bangladesh is a country in South Asia located along the Bay of Bengal. It shares borders with India and Myanmar. Bangladesh is a Muslim country with Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian influences, and they live with communal harmony and enjoy their own culture, customs, and trading without any disturbance. Study in Bangladesh, and you'll find its dynamic history and shape-shifting makes it a fascinating place to study abroad. The Bengali language, Islamic religion, and rural character of Bangladesh all serve to unify the country's culture to a considerable degree. Although some regional variation occurs across the Bengali community, cultural differences between ethnic, religious, and social minorities and rural and urban populations are much more prominent.

There are four main types of music in Bangladesh—classical, light-classical, devotional, and famous—which may overlap in some cases. Classical music has many forms, of which the dhrupad (Hindustani devotional songs) and the related, shorter form called khayal are the best known. Devotional music also is represented by qawwali and kirtan. It is, however, in the field of local nonclassical popular music that Bangladesh is most prominent. The forms known as bhatiali, bhawaiya, jari, sari, marfati, and baul have no real equivalents outside the country.

Apart from such classical dances as Kathakali and Bharata Natyam—forms that are popular throughout the subcontinent—unique indigenous dances have developed in Bangladesh. Among the most widespread of these are the dhali, baul, Manipuri, and snake dances. Although some of the performing arts are learned informally, others are taught formally at music and dance academies. Two of the oldest and most prominent of such academies are the Bulbul Academy for Fine Arts and the Nazrul Academy, both in Dhaka.

All towns and most villages have cinema houses. Plays are occasionally staged by amateur groups and drama societies in educational institutions and regularly broadcast on radio and television. Musical concerts, though not as popular as the cinema, are well attended. Incredibly popular in the countryside is Jatra, a form of opera that draws on local legends.

Religious Festivals & Cultural

The follower of Islam celebrates Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, Milad un Nabi, Muharram, Chand Raat, Shab-e-Baraat, Bishwa Ijtema, and many other festivals according to Islam. According to Hinduism, Hinduism celebrates the Durga Puja, Janmashtami, Kali Puja, Saraswati Puja, Rath Jatra, and many others. The Buddhists widely celebrate Buddha Purnima, Madhu Purnima, Kathin Chibardan, etc. according to their religion. The Christians celebrate Christmas and Easter Sunday with due religious fervor.

Common Culture

Pahela Baishakh or Bangla Noboborsho is the first day of the Bengali Calendar. It is celebrated on 14th April each year. It is considered one of the country's most significant everyday cultural events along with the Pahela Falgun. Nabanna Utshob, Borsha Utshob, Nouka Baich, Rokeya Day, Rabindra Jayanti, Nazrul Jayanti, Dhaka World Music Festival (music), Bengal Classical Music Festival, International Folk Festival, Jatiya Pitha Utsab, Joy Bangla Concert are among the everyday cultural activities and celebration in Bangladesh.