To preserve the age-old traditions of Bengal, a three-day folk culture and pitha festival is being held in Tangail.
The festival began on Wednesday afternoon at the Tangail Municipal Park, drawing significant crowds on its opening day with an array of delightful traditional pithas and cultural activities.
The event featured traditional stick fighting and kabaddi matches, bringing joy and excitement to visitors.
Organizers have expressed their intent to hold this festival annually.
Pithas and activities
The festival showcases 42 stalls offering a variety of traditional pithas, including bhapa, doodh pitha, nakshi, chitoi, patishapta, jamai bhoron, dal, and tal pitha.
Attendees of all ages are enjoying the festive atmosphere, which includes not only pithas but also traditional activities such as dheki-based rice husking, muri (puffed rice) roasting, and even bioscope screenings.
The standout attractions of this year’s festival are the live demonstrations of rice husking using a dheki and the preparation of fresh muri.
The event, organized by the Tangail Cultural Reformation Forum, was inaugurated by Additional Superintendent of Police Sohel Rana, with Additional District Magistrate Mahbub Hasan as the chief guest.
Visitor feedback
Visitors expressed their delight at the event, with many saying it was refreshing to experience such a celebration after a long time. They urged the organizers to continue hosting this festival every year.
Pitha sellers shared their enthusiasm, saying: "We are thrilled to participate in this festival, showcasing homemade traditional pithas. We hope the authorities will make this an annual tradition."
Additional Superintendent of Police Sohel Rana commented: "This festival beautifully encapsulates all aspects of rural and folk culture. I am deeply impressed by the initiative."
Chief guest Mahbub Hasan added: "Through such festivals, the people of this region can reconnect with our heritage while embracing modernity. This initiative will inspire the younger generation to preserve our traditions and propel our country forward."
Organizer's vision
Speaking about the festival's purpose, the event committee’s convener, Abul Kalam Mostafa Labu, and member secretary, Anik Rahman Bulbul, said: "Traditional folk culture in Bangladesh is on the verge of extinction. The digital age, particularly mobile devices, has distanced children from our cultural heritage. Many young ones don't know about the origins of everyday items like muri.
"One parent even shared that their child asked which tree grows muri. This isn’t the child's fault but rather a reflection of how far removed they are from rural realities. Our goal is to bridge this gap by reintroducing lost traditions and folk culture to the younger generation," they added.