ART AND CULTURE IN BANGLADESH

ART AND CULTURE::

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 in essence greatly symmetrical.

Festivals:A series of festivals varying from race to race are observed here. Some of the Muslim rites are Eid-e-Miladunnabi, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Azha, Muharram etc. Hindus observe Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja, Kali Puja and many other pujas. Christmas ( popularly called Baradin in Bangla ) is observed by Christians. 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:Bangalees have a rich literary heritage. The earliest available specimen of Bengali literature is about a thousand years old. 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 the period. The era of modern Bengali Literature began in the late nineteenth century Rabindranath Tagore, the Nobel Laureate is a vital part of Bangalee culture. Kazi Nazrul Islam, Michael Madhusudan Datta. Sarat Chandra Chattopadhaya, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhaya, Mir Mosharraf Hossain and Kazi Ahdul Wadud are the pioneers of modern Bengali Literature.

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. The classical music, both vocal and instrumental is rooted in the remote 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 and many anonymous lyricists. Bangla music arena is enriched with Jari, Shari, Bhatiali, Murshidi and other types of folk songs. Rabindra Sangeet and Nazrul Sangeet are Bangalees' precious heritage. 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.
Musical Instruments
Bangladesh has a good number of musical instruments originally of her own. Originally country musical instruments include, Banshi (bamboo flute), Dhole (wooden drums), Ektara (a single stringed instrument), Dotara (a 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.

Painting:

-Zainul Abedin's painting called 'The Rebel Cow'

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


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, Baily Road area is known as 'Natak Para' where drama shows are regularly held. Public Library Auditorium and Museum Auditorium are famous for holding cultural shows. Dhaka University area is a pivotal part of cultural activities.

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.

Jatra: Jatra(Folk Drama) is another vital chapter of Bangalee culture. It depicts mythological episodes of love and tragedy. Legendary plays of heroism are also popular, particularly in the rural areas. In near past jatra was the biggest entertainment means for the rural Bangalees 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.
Traditional Transportation Means:
Palki
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 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. Rickshaw is a very common vehicle to Bangladeshis.

Clothing: Bangladeshi women habitually wear Sarees. Jamdani was once world famous for it's most artistic and expensive ornamental fabric. Moslin, a fine and artistic type of cloth was well-known worldwide. Naksi 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 Pajamas. Hindus wear Dhuty for religious purposes. Now-a-days common dresses of males are shirts and pants.

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.
Academy & Arts ,some listed institute which are arranging various Bangladeshi art & culture-
1.
Title
Play View
Address
House # 131/E, Road # 13/C, Banani
City
Dhaka - 1213
Country
Bangladesh
Telephone
+880-2-8812933

Send Email / Query
2.
Title
Bishwa Sahitta Kendra
Address
14 Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, Bangla motor
City
Dhaka - 1000
Country
Bangladesh
Telephone
+880-2-8618567, 9660812

Send Email / Query
3.
Title
Bulbul Lalitakala Academy
Address
7 Waisghat, Bulbul Academy
City
Dhaka - 1100
Country
Bangladesh
Telephone
+880-2-7391838
4.
Title
Nazrul Institute ( Research on National poet )
Address
House-330-B, Road # 15 (new) 28 (old), Dhanmondi RA
City
Dhaka - 1209
Country
Bangladesh
Telephone
+880-2-9114500, 9114602, 8111621
Fax
+880-2-9118051
5.
Title
Nippon Performing Arts Academe
Address
House # 52, Road # 4/A, Satmosjit Road, Dhanmondi
City
Dhaka - 1209
Country
Bangladesh
Telephone
+880-2-8612027, 8624741-2
6.
Title
Shilpakala Academy
Address
Segunbagicha
City
Dhaka - 1000
Country
Bangladesh
Telephone
+880-2-9561709, 9562801-4
Fax
+880-2-9562853
7.
Title
Bangladesh Shishu Academy
Address
Old High Court Road, Opp-Karzon Hall
City
Dhaka - 1000
Country
Bangladesh
Telephone
+880-2-9565858, 9550317, 9558162
Fax
+880-2-7170146

Send Email / Query
8.
Title
Alliance Francaise De Dacca
Address
26, Mirpur Road, Dhanmondi R/A
City
Dhaka - 1205
Country
Bangladesh
Telephone
+880-2-8611557
Fax
+880-2-8616462
9.
Title
More in One
Address
Mohammadi Housing Society, Road # 4, House # 141 (Ground floor), Mohammadpur
City
Dhaka - 1207
Country
Bangladesh
Telephone
+88-01819-242314, 01711-015506

Send Email / Query
10.
Title
Bangladesh Flying Academy & General Aviation
Address
Zia Internatinal Airport, Kurmitola
City
Dhaka - 1229
Country
Bangladesh
Telephone
+880-2-8913930, 8913709
11.
Title
Design and Technology Center for productDevelopment (DTC)
Address
Road # 10, House # 53, Block # E, Banani
City
Dhaka - 1213
Country
Bangladesh
Telephone
+880-2-9881225, 9860077
Fax
+880-2-9860077
Website
http://www.afdacca.com/

Send Email / Query
12.
Title
Dhaka Kendra
Address
24, Mohini Mohon Das Lane, Farashgonj
City
Dhaka - 1000
Country
Bangladesh
Telephone
+880-2-7120065
Fax
+880-2-7100386
13.
Title
Touheed Academy
Address
House # 55/G, Road # 9/A, Dhanmondi
City
Dhaka - 1209
Country
Bangladesh
Telephone
+880-2-9119878, 9128013
14.
Title
National Youth Traning Academy (NYTA)
Address
8, Hatkhola Road, Tikatuli
City
Dhaka - 1203
Country
Bangladesh
Telephone
+880-2-9563173
Website
http://www.ngtajobs.com/

Send Email / Query
15.
Title
Omni School of Music
Address
House # 4/G, Road # 104, (Opposit of Marati School), 122, Gulshan Avenue
City
Dhaka - 1212
Country
Bangladesh
Telephone
+880-2-9887346, 8825918
Fax
+880-2-9890888

Send Email / Query
16.

Title
Sky Lark
Address
460, West Rampura, DIT Road
City
Dhaka - 1219
Country
Bangladesh
Telephone
+880-2-9330604
17.
Title
Vajan Academy
Address
House # 62, Road # 2/A, Dhanmondi
City
Dhaka - 1209
Country
Bangladesh
Telephone
+880-2-8616517, 8629739
18.
Title
Bangla Academy
Address
3, Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, dhaka University Area
City
Dhaka - 1000
Country
Bangladesh
Telephone
+880-2-8619577, 8619583, 8619550
Fax
+880-2-8612352
19.
Title
Nazrul Academy
Address
Dhaka Presidency College Bhaban, House # 89, Road # 8/A, (New), Dhanmondi
City
Dhaka - 1209
Country
Bangladesh
Telephone
+880-2-9111746
20.
Title
Shishu Academy
Address
Old High Court Road, Karzon Hall
City
Dhaka - 1000
Country
Bangladesh
Telephone
+880-2-9565858, 9550317, 9558162
21.
Title
International Centre for Bengal Art
Address
House # 32/E, Road # 17/A, Banani
City
Dhaka
Country
Bangladesh
Telephone
+880-2-9880532, 8821800
Fax
+880-2-8821800
22.
Title
National Youth Training Academy
Address
8, Halkhola Road, Tikatuli
City
Dhaka - 1230
Country
Bangladesh
Telephone
+880-2-9563173