Hundreds of people, allured by the beat of “dhak” and “dhol” (drum) like the flute of Pied Piper of Hamelin, went to witness the age-old game of “lathi khela,” a traditional martial art sparring sport involving sticks, at Ghoramara village in Sadar upazila of Jhenaidah on Wednesday.
The lathi khela event was organized by Moromi Lokokobi Idu Biswas Smriti Shongrokkhon Parishad under the banner – "An innovative Bangladesh flourishing in arts and culture."
The lathial “sardars” (the stick fighters) in their colourful attires enthusiastically mesmerized the crowd with rhythmic sparring to drum beats.
Trying to shield themselves while striking an opponent in every beat, lathi khela turns into an almost choreographed majestic dance of stick fighters.
The people were thrilled to welcome a break from a technology-infested life and encouraged the fighters by clapping and cheering.
Miraz Mondol of Ghoramara village said: "I saw lathi-khela with my father when I was a child. The beauty of it cannot be expressed in words. I feel like I have returned to my childhood."
Momin Hossain of Aruakandi village said: "The beauty of village traditions comes alive in this lathi khela. Such events should be organized regularly."
The martial artists find happiness in spreading joy among the people but they hope the government funds such events in future.
Jhenaidah Sadar upazila's Awami League Padmakar Union unit President Bikash Kumar Biswas said: "To build a society free of drugs, events upholding the rural culture like this should be organized regularly by the government."
In this regard, the organizer, Parahati Union Parishad (UP) member Azam Mondol said: "Initiatives like this are necessary to revive the almost obsolete rural traditions. Fifteen lathials from six upazilas participated in the daylong event. A prize giving ceremony was held after the event."
