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Culture
Intricate design in a Nakshikatha, a traditional stitched quilt.
Bagerhat Shat Gambuj Masjid, a sixty-dome mosque, built in the early 15th
century by Khan Jahan Ali.
Ruins of the ancient Buddhist monastery in Mahasthangarh, Bogra.
Cox's Bazar, World's longest uninterrupted beach.Culture of Bangladesh
See also: Public holidays in Bangladesh
A new state for an old nation, Bangladesh has a culture that encompasses
elements both old and new. The Bengali language boasts a rich literary heritage,
which Bangladesh shares with the Indian state of West Bengal. The earliest
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 the 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. Gombhira, 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 from Bangladesh Betar, as well as Bangla services
from the BBC and Voice of America. 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). Bangladeshis make distinctive sweetmeats from
milk products; some common ones are R?shogolla, Ch?mch?m and Kalojam.
The sari (sha?i) is by far the most widely worn dress by Bangladeshi women.
However, the salwar kameez (shaloar kamiz) 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-paejama combination, often on religious
occasions. The lungi, a kind of long skirt, is widely worn by Bangladesh men.
The two Eids, Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha are the largest festivals in the
Islamic calendar. The day before Eid ul-Fitr is called Ch?d Rat (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 B??odin (Great day) in Bangla is
celebrated by the minority Christian population. The most important secular
festival is Pohela Baishakh or Bengali New Year, the beginning of the Bengali
calendar. Other festivities include Nobanno, Poush parbon (festival of Poush)
and observance of national days like Shohid Dibosh.
Cricket is one of the most popular sports in Bangladesh. In 2000, 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. Other popular sports include football (soccer), field hockey, tennis,
badminton, handball, volleyball, chess, carom, and kabadi, a seven-a-side
team-sport played without a ball or any other equipment, which is the national
sport of Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Sports Control Board regulates twenty-nine
different sporting federations.
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