Just as threads of Nakshi Kantha weave countless colours into one story, Bangladesh stands as a nation where culture and tradition connect people of different religions together, and where festivals are celebrated beyond the boundaries of faith.
The prevalence of Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians and other ethnic groups is a vibrant tapestry woven through time, dating to thousands of years back of Hindu and Buddhist worship to the advent of Islamic rule from the 13th century.
Bengal has seen the might of great conquerors and dynasties. From the mighty Mauryas to the Buddhist Pala Dynasty and the centuries of prowess and preaching of Muslims, Mughals, and Sufis, Bengali culture has been stitched into a secular society built on spiritual teachings rather than forceful aggression.
Resonating through time are the teachings of scholars and devotees who have preached spiritual purity instead of racial prejudice and coexistence instead of partition. Folk music like Lalon geeti, Baul, Bhawaiya and Bhatiali reflect human relationships with nature that precede the visage of caste. In one of the most famous songs, Lalon defies social hierarchy:
‘Shob lokey koy’
Written by Lalon Shah, sung by Ayub Bachchu
“shob lokey koy lalonki jaat shongsharey
Lalon koy jater ki roop ami dekhlam na to nojorey”
Statistically, Bangladesh is a 90% Muslim majority nation with around 8% Hindus and 2% other religions. However, that does not belittle the diversity of sacred spaces around the country. Within the capital are located innumerable mosques, temples and churches; a testament to tolerance, harmony and the freedom of religion.
Among these, the most overwhelming include the Tara Masjid in old Dhaka, constructed in the early 18th century with gleaming mosaic star patterns and intricate Islamic calligraphy, the Dhakeswari Temple from the 12th century, with beautiful shrines and a pond, and St Mary’s Cathedral in Dhaka, which oversees over 190 primary schools.
And out of shared experiences, cultural festivals like Pohela Boishakh bring everyone under one roof. Streets saturate in colour as youngsters draw alpana, depicting motifs like flowers, peacocks and solar patterns. Initially introduced to align the calendar with the crop cycle, it allowed all farmers to pay taxes after harvest season. Such a tradition evolved into a celebration of all religions alike.
Tables fill with Panta ilish, pithas and sweets, men dress in red and yellow panjabis, while women veil sarees with artistic patterns. Venues roar with the sound of music and festival; in such rhythm, the whole of Bengal unites.
Despite this coexistence of tradition, communal violence and extremism have evidently kept rising, often fueled by misinformation on social media. Even this year, multiple mob incidents have occurred, with sacred sites vandalised.
Nevertheless, widespread public condemnation reasserts that religious tolerance is a legacy worth preserving. Let's not define culture by division but rather by the shared cries of joy and woes that we have embraced through time.
So don’t hesitate to share greetings and send gifts when it's festival time. There's a deep nuance in the diversity of religions and the linkage with culture that binds us all together.