Languages

Dzongkha and Nepali are two most spoken languages of Bhutan. Dzongkha is the national language and is spoken in most parts of Bhutan. Nepali is spoken by people of southern Nepal, for most of them have their roots in Nepal. Assamese, Limbu, Santhali, Sherpa, Gurung, Western Gurung and Eastern Magar are other languages and dialects spoken in Bhutan.

Traditionally, public and private communications, religious materials, and official documents were written in chhokey (classical Tibetan script). A Bhutanese adaptive cursive script was developed for correspondence and now, like in past, chhokey only exists in written form and can be understood by few well educated Bhutanese. Dzongkha has developed since the 17th Century and is an offshoot of Tibetan language, but at the same time, it uses a different style of scripting. Meaning of Dzongkha is the language spoken by the dzong. Study of Dzongkha is compulsory in all schools of Bhutan, and English is used to teach subjects like mathematics, science and geography. Twenty-four dialects are listed in Bhutan and all these are living dialects.

http://bhutan.saarctourism.org/bhutan-language.html

Sharma, Rashmi. Bhutan and SAARC. New Delhi: Regal Publications, 2007.

Traditions & Rituals

The distinctiveness of Bhutanese traditions and rituals are visible in everyday life of its people. The unique culture of Bhutan is also a means of protecting the sovereignty of the nation. As a tiny county in terms of geographical size and population, the need to preserve culture and tradition is amplified.

Birth:

The birth of child in Bhutan is welcomed without gender discrimination. The outsiders visit the child only after first three days, when a purification ritual (Lhabsang) is conducted in the house, since the house is considered polluted by kaydrip (defilement by birth) prior to that. Gifts are brought for the newborn and these range from rice and dairy products in the rural area to clothes and money in the urban

The child is not named immediately and the name is usually given by a religious person. The horoscope of the newborn known as kye tsi is written based on the Bhutanese calendar and from time to time rituals are executed in the lifetime of the newborn as a remedy to possible illness, problems and misfortune. Moreover, the tradition of celebrating birthdays did not exist earlier in Bhutan, but it is now becoming popular in urban areas.

Marriage:

Traditionally, arrange marriages were popular in Bhutan till a few decades back. People generally married among relatives, like cross-cousin marriage was popular in eastern Bhutan. This is now becoming unpopular among the literate mass and most marriages take place based on personal choice.

Marriages are conducted in simple ways with a small ritual being performed by a religious person, followed by a dinner reception in some cases. The couple is presented with scarves (kha–dar) along with gifts from friends and relatives. The tradition of husband going to the wife’s house after marriage is prevalent in western Bhutan and in the eastern Bhutan it’s the reverse. This practice is not mandatory and the new couple may set up their own household. Divorce is accepted in the Bhutanese society and carries no stigma.

Funeral:

Rituals and traditions associated with death are most elaborate and expensive in Bhutan, since it does not mean the end of life, but signifies passing on to another life. Many rituals are performed to help the departed soul get a better rebirth, with rituals taking place after the 7th, 14th, 21st and the 49th day of the death. Elaborate rituals are also performed on the death anniversary for the three consecutive years with the erection of prayer flags in the name of the deceased. Alcohol, rice and other sundry items are brought by relatives and other people who come to attend these rituals.

http://www.bhutan2008.bt/en/node/296

Cultural Festivals & Events

People of Bhutan are deeply associated with their age-long customs and festivals. Dance, music and food, along with plethora of customs are inextricably associated with these festivals.

Dromche

Dromche festival is dedicated to Yeshe Gompo (Mahakala) or Palden Lhamo, the two main protective deities of Drukpas (Drukpas means people of Druk land or Bhutanese) and generally includes dance. Punakha Dromche is celebrated in the first month of the lunar year and ends with ‘Serda’, that is, a magnificent procession which re-enacts an episode of the war against the Tibetans in the 17th century.

Jambay Lhakhang Drup

This festival is celebrated for two reasons: to commemorate an establishment of Jambay Lhakhang (temple) in the 7th century and to honour Guru Rimpoche, a saint who introduced Tantric form of Buddhism in Bhutan. To celebrate Jambay Lhakhang Drup a variety of traditional and mask dances are performed and each dance signifies an important meaning. This is one of the most important festival in Bhutan. ‘Mewang’ (the fire ceremony) and the ‘Tercham’ (a religious dance) are the highlights of the festival.

Paro Festival

Paro Festival/Tshechu is celebrated with sequences of dance being showcased. Most dances are the same as at other Tshechus, but the sequence varies. Shinje Yab, dance of the lord of death and his consort is performed on day one; and the costume is of buffalo mask and long brocade dress. The second day of the festival begins with “chipdrel

Cultural Identities

Bhutan has three main ethnic, religious and linguistic groups and a dozen smaller groups. It is a nation of immigrants and can be characterized as a multi-religious, multi-cultural and multi-linguistic society. The ancestors of ethnic group of Ngalungs/Ngalops (commonly known as Drupkas) migrated from Tibet and speak Dzongkha. They are called Drupkas as they follow the Drupka Kargyupa school of Tibetan Buddhism. The last royal family and king of Bhutan belong to this group.

Sharchops are the second ethnic group settled in the eastern and central region of Bhutan. They practice nyingmapa sect of Mahayana Buddhism and belong to the Tibeto-Burman ancestry.  Lhotshampas(Southern Bhutanese) of Nepali origin form the third ethic group of Bhutan. They inhabit six southern foothill districts, speak Nepali language and practice mostly Hinduism. They migrated to Bhutan from Nepal, Darjeeling and Sikkim in India.Caste system is only prevalent amongst them in Bhutan. For the rest of the ethnic groups, social status is based on a family’s economic position. These three ethnic tribes migrated to Bhutan at different points of time in history and now they live clustered together in separate regions.

There are numerous smaller ethnic groups in Bhutan having their own distinct characteristics in terms of language, culture and religious practices. These groups are: Tibetans, Doyas,  Khengs, Adivashis, Brokpas monpa, gongduk Lhop/Doya and  Kurteops. In terms of religious identity, Bhutanese people practice Hinduism, Christianity, Drukpa Kargyupa and Nyingmapa sects of Buddhism and Animism.

 

Photo Source URL: http://www.btcctb.org/files/web/users/Tony%20De%20Groote/BHUTAN_(F)_1130_-_Situazione.jpg

Sharma, Rashmi. Bhutan and SAARC. New Delhi: Regal Publications, 2007.

Handicrafts & Decorative arts

Bangladesh of Historical Sculptures Geographically Sculptures Handicrafts Decorative arts

Sculptures in Bangladesh have a very long history. The pre-Islamic history of the sculpture mainly deals with Hindu and Buddhist sculptures. These sculptures show a great sense of skill and aesthetics. The history of terracotta, bronze and stone statues begins as early as the 2nd century BC. It was in this period that sculptures became more elegant, refined, well-shaped and worldly. These were high reliefs smooth in finishing and quite developed in terms of craftsmanship. For more details about pre-Islamic sculptures in Bangladesh please click here.http://www.banglapedia.org/HT/T_0126.HTM

Between 1300 and 1500 Muslim architectural style and craftsmanship had begun to merge with the local Hindu know-hows. Islamic calligraphy and geometric designs synthesized  with elements of Hindu culture intertwined flowers, creepers and leaves, and thus a unique tradition of architectural ornamentation developed. Examples of this tradition can be seen in Zafar Khan Ghazi’s Mosque.

Abdur Razzaque ‘Jagroto Chowrongi’
Photo Source: bangladeshjustawesome.blogspot.com

In the recent years, post-independence brought with it a renewed interest in sculptures. Work of Abdur Razzaque ‘Jagroto Chowrongi’ is considered one of the best sculptures in Bangladesh, considering both form and theme, by art critics. Located in Jaidebpur, and constructed in 1973, it is the first post-Liberation War sculpture in Bangladesh. It depicts a freedom fighter with a grenade in his right and a rifle in his left hand. The sculpture is an 18 feet high concrete piece on a 24 feet pedestal.

 

Handicraft

Handicrafts and cottage industries play a vital role in sustaining the culture heritage of Bangladesh. The prominent handicraft in the early and Middle Ages were textiles, metal works, jewelry, wood works, cane and bamboo works, and clay and pottery. Later, jute and leather became the major raw materials for handicraft. The most predominant features of Bangladesh handicraft are the extensive use of individual skill and the interesting design motifs.

Nakshi Kantha (embroidered quilt), a very popular form of handicraft, is said to be indigenous to Bangladesh. The rural women of the country put together pieces of old cloth with crafty stitches to prepare these quilts to be used in the winter. Although kanthas (quilts) are utilitarian objects, the vivid patterns, borders and motifs often turn them in to attractive works of art. In recent years the interest in ethnic arts and craft has encouraged a kantha revival in the country. Many people now use these quilts for decorative purposes only.

Several, Bangladeshi organizations like Aarong and Probortona export handicraft from Bangladesh to all over the world. These organizations have played an important role in preserving the handicraft of Bangladesh and increasing their popularity at home and abroad.

Handicraft Products

Bangladesh has developed some special areas like Dhamral for brass ware items, Comilla for khadi, Sonaraon for traditional handicrafts, Rajshahi for silk items, Narayaganj and Mirpur in Dhaka for Zamadani Sari, Barisal for Shital Pati, which are famous for local arts and crafts. The Government has taken some institutional measures for developing and marketing different sorts of visual arts and crafts.

Among the many handicrafts products of Bangladesh the worth-mentioning are: pottery , wood work, cotton, silk, gold, silver, jute, reed, brass ware, traditional dolls, pink pearls and copper ware trays, well decorative bamboo made items, vases etc, and hand made with fine engravings and filigree work. Product made from the hides and skins of animals and reptiles, intricate wood, Jamdani and silk fabrics are also bought in a large number.

A common and often successful approach for presentation and sale arts and crafts is development of integrated craft canters or “village

Music

Traditional Musician of Bangladesh
Folk music
Bangladesh has a very rich musical tradition. It has always played an important role in the lives of the people. In ancient times, song was usually linked to prayer and this can still be seen today in the singing of folksong that often praises gods and their creation. Over time, with new influences, musical styles evolved. Musical development was boosted by the steady flow of royal and aristocratic patronize.

Bangladesh music can be categorized into a number of genres. The main genres include: classical music, rabindra sangeet, nazrul geet, folk songs, adhunik gaan and modern music with western influences. Each of these categories is very broad and can incorporate of number of different styles and musical movements.

The most distinguishable characteristic of classical music is that it is based on rang modes. Rabindra sangeet is more often characterized by the words used; the lyrical poetry of the songs can be prayer songs, love songs, seasonal songs or even patriotic songs. All Rabindra sangeet has a philosophical often woven into masterful poetry.

Nazrul geeti is more easily classified because all music works in this genre incorporate the works of Kazi Nazrul Islam, one of the country’s national poets and a major revolutionist. The style tends to use revolutionary thoughts as well as spiritual and philosophical themes. To listen to a Nazrul geeti please click here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9kCd5vdB3c

Bangladesh has a rich tradition of folk songs, with lyrics rooted in the vibrant tradition of spirituality, mysticism and devotion. Most prevalent of folk songs and music traditions include Bhatiali, Buaul, Marfati, Murshidi and Bhawaiya. Lyricists like Lalon Shah, Hason Raja, Kangal Harinath, Romesh Shill, Addas Uddin have enriched the tradition of folk song of Bangladesh.

Adhunik gaan meaning Contemporary song is the generic name given to all modern music (music that incorporates Western styles). The style started to emerge just before the revolution for independence and is stylistically simple so that anyone- including the uneducated – can appreciate its worth. While these songs are still called ‘Adhunik gaan’ which means ‘modern songs’ many of them are now quite old. Despite the emergence of newer styles of music, Adhunik gaan is still one of the most popular music styles amongst middle- class Bangladesh families today.

The classical music, both vocal and instrumental is rooted in the remote part of the sub- continent. Ustad Aladdin Khan and Ustad Ayet Ali Khan are two names in classical instrumental music that are internationally known.

Since the late 80s pop and rock has the country‘s youth shaking its legs and it is still being enjoyed today. Some mainstream rock has made its way to radio stations and CD shops in Bangladesh while a large underground rock movement also exists.

Musical Instruments
Several musical instruments, some of them of indigenous origin, are used in Bangladesh. The more popular musical instruments used are bamboo flute (bashi), drums (dhole), a sing stringed instruments named ektara, a four stringed instrument called dotara, a pair of metal bawl used for rhythm effect called mondira. Currently, several musical instrument of western origin like guitar, drum, and saxophone are also used, sometimes alongside the traditional instruments.

Art

Tradition art of Bangladesh Flok art of Bangladesh
There is a rich tradition of modern painting which was pioneered by Zainul Abedin, Kamrul Hassan, Anwarul Haque, Shafiuddin Ahmed and S.M. Sultan. Zainul Abedin earned international fame for his sketches on famine of 1943 in Bangladesh. Other famous artists of Bangladesh are Abdur Razzak, Qayyum Chowdhury, Murtaza Baseer, Aminul Islam, Chakraborty, Kazi Adbul Baset, Syed Jahangir, and Mohammad Kibria.

One of the greatest artists of Bangladesh was Zainul Abedin, who was best known for his paintings on Bengal Famine of the 1940s. See picture below

Photo Source: Art of Bengal
URL Link: http://www.artofbengal.com/Bangladesh.htm

Artists Jogen Choudhuri took inspiration from Alpana drawings practiced widely in Bangladesh villages. Many other present day artists like Ganesh Paine and Prokash Karmakar had roots in Bangladesh.

There are also a number of Art Galleries in Dhaka, for a complete list please click here: http://www.dhakasnob.com/art_galleries_dhaka.htm

Alpana drawings: Is folk arts that showcases the artistic sensibility of people. The word alpana might have originated from the Sanskrit alimpana, which means ‘to plaster’, or ‘to coat with’.

On 21 February the shaheed minar in Dhaka and roads leading to it are decorated with alpana paintings. They have, in fact, become an inseparable element in the observance of ekushey february in Bangladesh. While the tradition and art has a Hindu history in modern Bangladesh alpana has attained a purely
secular character. Alpana is created to drive away the influence of omen and welcome peace, wealth, health and everlasting happiness.
Photo Source: www.banglapedia.org

Drama

Drama remains popular in Bangladesh, including performances of play by local playwrights, as well as adaptation from writers of Western origin. Popular theater groups include: Dhaka Theatre, Nagarik Nattya Sampraday and Theatre. For more information on the theater groups in Bangladesh please click here. http://www.banglapedia.org/HT/T_0146.HTM

Bailey Road in the capital widely known as Natakpara has been centre of our theatre practices as well as theatre performers. The Guide House and Mahila Samiti Auditorium are situated here.
Dakha is the centre of much theatre groups in Bangladesh. Drama and other art form were also introduced in the recent decades in the university system. Department of Drama and Dramatics was established in the University of Jahangirnagar. In 1989, Theatre and Music Department was introduced in the University of Dhaka. Then, Chittagong University launched studies on Theatre under the Department of Fine Arts.

In 1976, Natyachakra, theatre group, established a school called Shikshangan and in 1990, Theatre Natyadal –another theatre group established a school called Theatre School.

TO read more about theatre in Bangladesh please click here. http://theatrebd.blogspot.com/

To read about The Bangladesh Group Theatre Foundation click here. http://theatrebd.blogspot.com/

Jatra, that is, folk drama, is also a part of culture of Bangladesh. In Jatras, legendary plays of heroism, mythological stories, folktales of love and tragedy, and similar countless themes are enacted in open air theatre, and continue to be a popular form of entertainment, in spite of modern influences.

Puppets shows are also very popular. People watch Drama on the numerous television channels in Bangla or listen to radio programmes that have drama shows.

Dance

Music and dance style of Bangladesh may be divided into three categories, namely, and classical, folk and the modern. The classical styles has been influenced by other prevalent classical forms of music and dances of the Indian subcontinent, and accordingly show some influences dances forms like Bharata Nattyam and Kuchipudi. The folk and tribal music and dance forms of Bangladesh are of indigenous origin and rooted to the soil of Bangladesh. Several dancing styles in vogue in the north- eastern part of the Indian subcontinent, like Manipuri and Santal dances, are also practiced in Bangladesh has developed its own distinct dancing styles.

To watch a video of folk dance from Bangladesh please click here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCkVPHvE2RA