Bask in Colourful Festivals!

In Bangladesh, there are almost as many festivals as there are days in a year! During the run-up to Eids, the biggest Muslim festivals, buildings are decorated with flickering lights while many shopping malls are kept open overnight for Eid shopping. On the Eid day, friends, relatives and neighbours drop by to exchange greetings and gifts.

Other widely celebrated festivals include the colourful Hindu festival Durga Puja, Buddhists' Buddha Purnima, and Christmas.

The Bengali New Year's Day, Pahela Baishakh, is always celebrated with style. In various spots around the country, including the famous Ramna Batamul (near Dhaka University campus), events-live songs, dramas and dances-take place round the clock. All around, you will find young women clad in white saris with red.

Colourful events also take place around the country on the Language Martyrs' Day (21 st February), Independence Day (26th March) and Victory Day (16th December).

My Culture, My Pride!

Bangladeshis are extremely proud of their cultural heritage. The Bengalis have a battery of very accomplished poets and novelists, including Nazrul Islam, the national poet, who is known for his rebel genre, and of course, the Nobel Laureate, Rabindra Nath Thakoor (Tagore). Recently in October 2006, Prof. Muhammad Yunus along with his Grameen Bank has received the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize.

Nature is heart of the lives of Bangladeshis, and not surprisingly, their music resonates with deep emotions and romanticism. The most common musical instrument is Harmonium. The other instruments one will see and hear in Bangladesh include the bamboo flute, the tabla (a set of hand drums) and a wide variety of stringed Instruments from the crude banjo like village 'ek-tara' (one string) and 'do-tara' (two strings) to the highly refined multi stringed 'Tanpura', 'Sitar' and 'Sarode' used for classical music. Nowadays band music has become very popular which is highly Influenced by western music and uses western musical instruments. Some of the band music is of fusion type; the songs meticulously blend western music with folk songs.

Some genres include:

• Classical songs and music
• Raag Prodhan Gaan or semi-classical songs and music
• Palli Geeti
• Bhatiali (popular among boatmen)
• Gano Sangeet
• Rabindra Sangeet and Nazrul Geeti
• Adhunik Gaan or modern Bangia Songs
• Band music

With songs, comes dance, which is also very closely linked to literature, mythology, history and poetry. Dances can be traced back to the pre-Vedic times in its "folk" and classical forms. Some dances. have also some tribal and Middle Eastern traits among which IS Monipuri and Santal.

And then there is the vibrant Bengali Theatre, where many stage performances depict the glory of our liberation war and language movement, and uphold the rich cultural values the people share. Popular theatre groups include Dhaka theatre, Nagarik Nattya Sampraday, Aranyak, Kranti, Matridhara and Bibortan.

Foreign cultural shows are also held frequently at several venues like Dhaka Metropolitan Theatre, Mohila Samity, Guide House, British Council and Russian Culture Centre.

Sports: Ready, Steady and Go!

Local, regional and national bodies coordinate sportsrelated activities in Bangladesh. These organizations hold tournaments and competitions at various levels. Among the most ~opular games are football (soccer) and cricket, although quickly gaining populanty are outdoor games such as golf, water-skiing, boat racing and indoor games such as basket-ball, shooting, sWimming, badminton, chess, tennis and wrestling.

The national game is Kabadi , which is played by two teams of 12 la ers each. A player, while holding his breath, dashes Into the opponent team's area, touches some pIayer(s) and wrestles out to come back home safely without releasing his breath.

Bangladesh cricket team has played and won a number of international matches, including test and one-day matches.