Bangladeshi culture is replete with traditions and festivals. Some of
the tradition and customs are as ancient as prehistoric days, while
others are relatively recent. The indigenous customs and festivals that
has been preserved and nurtured through the ages principally centre
around agricultural practices. These include "nabonno" (the festival of
the new harvest) and "poila boishakh" (the Bengali New Year). Religion
has also played a distinct role in shaping cultural traditions of
Bangladeshi life. Social customs like the birth, naming, marriage and
death ceremonies too have a distinct Bangladeshi flavor and each ethnic
and religious group have their unique way to mark these occasions.
Weaving, pottery and terracotta sculpture are some of the earliest forms of artistic expression. The traditional crafts of Bangladesh have been a focal point of interest for visitors from abroad for centuries. The rural-based infrastructure has made it a potential ground for the development of numerous craft items - stone and wood carving, ivory works, and pottery, weaving of muslin and jamdani textiles, metal work, jute & cane work, repousse or filigree work, Nakshi kantha (embroidered quilt). These crafts are not only singularly beautiful, but also representative of the culture, tradition and customs of the country. The country is also renowned for its cotton and silk fabrics.
Bangladesh’s popular art known as "rickshaw arts" cannot be assigned to any static genre. To put it simply, this is the painting and decorations made on cycle rickshaws, or cycle driven carts used for transportation. They are popular arts as opposed to "fine" arts. They appropriate multiple forms that include folklore, classical art elements, and commercial forms. They reflect the homogenization of the global cultural process in the depiction of movie stars and narratives, the obsession with US disco during the seventies, with foreign travel scenes and fancy red sports cars.
Folk theatre called "jatra" is common at the village level and usually takes place during harvest time or at melas (village fairs). There are many folk dances, but classical dance is largely borrowed from Indian models and is frowned upon by the more severe Islamic religious leaders.
Weaving, pottery and terracotta sculpture are some of the earliest forms of artistic expression. The traditional crafts of Bangladesh have been a focal point of interest for visitors from abroad for centuries. The rural-based infrastructure has made it a potential ground for the development of numerous craft items - stone and wood carving, ivory works, and pottery, weaving of muslin and jamdani textiles, metal work, jute & cane work, repousse or filigree work, Nakshi kantha (embroidered quilt). These crafts are not only singularly beautiful, but also representative of the culture, tradition and customs of the country. The country is also renowned for its cotton and silk fabrics.
Bangladesh’s popular art known as "rickshaw arts" cannot be assigned to any static genre. To put it simply, this is the painting and decorations made on cycle rickshaws, or cycle driven carts used for transportation. They are popular arts as opposed to "fine" arts. They appropriate multiple forms that include folklore, classical art elements, and commercial forms. They reflect the homogenization of the global cultural process in the depiction of movie stars and narratives, the obsession with US disco during the seventies, with foreign travel scenes and fancy red sports cars.
Folk theatre called "jatra" is common at the village level and usually takes place during harvest time or at melas (village fairs). There are many folk dances, but classical dance is largely borrowed from Indian models and is frowned upon by the more severe Islamic religious leaders.
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