Reflecting the long history of the region, Bangladesh has a

culture that encompasses elements both old and new. The

earliest literary text in Bengali is the 8th century Charyapada.
Bengali literature reached its full expression in the 19th century,
with its greatest icons being poets Rabindranath Tagore,
Michael Madhusudan Dutt and Kazi Nazrul Islam. Bangladesh
also has a long tradition in folk literature, for example
Maimansingha Gitika, Thakurmar Jhuli and stories related to
Gopal Bhar, Birbal and Molla NasiruddinThe musical tradition
of Bangladesh is lyrics-based (Baniprodhan), with minimal
instrumental accompaniment. The Baul tradition is a distinctive
element of Bengali folk music. Numerous other musical
traditions exist including Gombhira, Bhatiali and Bhawaiya,
varying from one region to the next. Folk music is often
accompanied by the ektara, an instrument with only one string.
Other instruments include the dotara, dhol, flute and tabla.
Bangladesh also has an active heritage in North Indian classical
music. Similarly, Bangladeshi dance forms draw from folk
traditions, especially those of the tribal groups, as well as the
broader Indian dance tradition. Bangladesh produces about 80
films a year. Mainstream Hindi films are also quite popular.
Around 200 daily newspapers are published in Bangladesh,
along with more than 500 periodicals. However, regular
readership is low at just under 15% of the population.
Bangladeshis listen to a variety of local and national radio
programs like Bangladesh Betar. Four private FM radio stations
named (Radio Foorti, ABC Radio, Radio Today, Radio Amar)
are popular among urban youths. A series of festivals varying
from race to race are observed here. Some of the Muslim rites
are Eid-e-Miladunnabi, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Azha, Muharram etc.
Hindus observe Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja, Kali Puja and many
other pujas.  Christmas ( popularly called Baradin in Bangla ) is
observed by Christians. Also there are some common festivities,
which are observed countrywide  by people irrespective of races.
Pahela Baishakh (the first day of Bangla year) is such a festival.
National festivals are Independence Day (26th March), 21st
February (the National Mourning Day and World Mother
Language Day), The Victory Day (16th December), Rabindra &
Nazrul Jayanti etc. Bangalees have a rich literary heritage. The
earliest available specimen of Bengali literature is about a
thousand years old. During the mediaeval period. Bengali
Literature developed considerably with the patronage of Muslim
rulers. Chandi Das, Daulat Kazi and Alaol are some of the
famous poets of the period. The era of modern Bengali
Literature began in the late nineteenth century Rabindranath
Tagore, the Nobel Laureate is a vital part of Bangalee culture. 
Kazi Nazrul Islam, Michael Madhusudan Datta. Sarat Chandra
Chattopadhaya, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhaya, Mir Mosharraf
Hossain and Kazi Ahdul Wadud are the pioneers of modern
Bengali Literature. The traditional music in Bangladesh shares
the perspectives of that of the Indian sub-continent. Music in
Bangladesh can be divided into three distinct categories
-classical, folk and modern. The classical music, both vocal and
instrumental is rooted in the remote past of the sub-continent.
Ustad Alauddin Khan and Ustad Ayet Ali Khan are two names
in classical instrumental music who are internationally known.
The store of folk song abounds in spiritual lyrics of Lalan Shah,
Hasan Raja, Romesh Shill and many anonymous lyricists.
Bangla music arena is enriched with Jari, Shari, Bhatiali,
Murshidi and other types of folk songs. Bangladeshi women
habitually wear Sarees. Jamdani was once world famous for it's
most artistic and expensive ornamental fabric. Moslin, a fine and
artistic type of cloth was well-known worldwide. Naksi Kantha,
embroidered quilted patchwork cloth produced by the village
women, is still familiar in villages and towns simultaneously. A
common hairstyle is Beni (twisted bun) that Bangalee women
are fond of. Traditionally males wear Panjabis, Fatuas and
Pajamas. Hindus wear Dhuty for religious purposes. Now-a-
days common dresses of males are shirts and pants. The people
of Bangladesh are greatly influenced by the faith. Different
types of arts are crafts seen in Bangladesh.Weaving, pottery, and
terracotta, etc. are traditional in Bangladesh. Jatra(Folk Drama)
is another vital chapter of Bangalee culture. It depicts
mythological episodes of love and tragedy. Legendary plays of
heroism are also popular, particularly in the rural areas. In near
past jatra was the biggest entertainment means for the rural
Bangalees and in that sense for 80% of the population since the
same percentage of the population lived in rural Bangladesh.
Now-a-days jatra has been placed in the back seat in the
entertainment era. Gradually western culture is occupying the
place of traditional culture like jatra. Many other cultural
organizations are also popularizing Bangladeshi art and culture.