HIS 101:

Bangladesh History &

Culture
 The Days of National Observance
and the Festivals of Bangladesh
 Presented By
Professor Chitta Ranjan Misra
Department of History
University of Rajshahi
HELLO!
I am Chitta Ranjan Misra
You can find me at
chitta.misra@northsouth.edu

4
The Days of National Observance and the Festivals of
Bangladesh

 INTRODUCTION
 Bangladesh is a land of festivals. There is a popular
saying in Bangla ‘Baro Mashe Tero Parban’ meaning 13
festivals in 12 months. It is interesting to note that many
of our festivals are linked to religions, seasons and
specials occasions.

 Festivals can be grouped broadly into religious, ethnic,

cultural and national days of celebrations. We know that
the Culture of Bangladesh is interlinked with the culture
of the Bengal region.

5
 The Days of National Observance and the Festivals of
Bangladesh

 Festivals and celebrations are an integral part of the culture of Bangladesh.

1. MUSLIMS MAIN FESTIVALS are Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha, Eid ul Milad un Nabi,
Muharram, Chand raat, Shab-e-Baraat, Bishwa Ijtema;

2. HINDUS MAIN FESTIVALS are Durga Puja and Janmashtami;

3. BUDDHIST MAIN FESTIVAL is Buddha Purnima;

4. CHRISTIAN MAIN FESTIVAL is Christmas and

5. CULTURAL FESTIVALS like Pohela Boishakh, Nabanna and

6. NATIONAL DAYS OF CELEBRATIONS like Language Movement Day, Independence Day,

National Day of Mourning, Martyred Intellectuals Day, Victory Day, Rabindra Jayanti,
Nazrul Jayanti witness widespread celebrations in Bangladesh. 6
 EID AL-FITR

 EID AL-FITR also called the “FESTIVAL OF

BREAKING THE FAST”, is a religious
holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that
marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy
month of fasting.

 The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29

or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the
entire month of Ramadan.

7
EID AL-FITR

 The day of Eid, therefore, falls on the first day of the

month of Shawwal.

 The date for the start of any lunar Hijri month varies based
on when the new moon is sighted by local religious
authorities, so the exact day of celebration varies by locality.

8
EID AL-FITR

 ORIGIN
 Eid-ul-Fitr was originated by the Islamic prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SM). It is
observed on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal at the end of the month
of Ramadan, during which Muslims undergo a period of fasting.

 According to certain traditions, these festivals were initiated in Medina after

the migration of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SM) from Mecca.

9
EID AL-FITR
 ORIGIN
 Anas (R.A) reports: When the Prophet arrived in
Madina, he found people celebrating two specific
days in which they used to entertain themselves
with recreation and cheerfulness.

 He asked them about the nature of these Panorama in 12 folds showing an imperial
festivities at which they replied that these days Eid al-Fitr procession by Bahadur Shah II
were occasions of fun and recreation. At this, the
Prophet remarked that the Almighty has fixed two
days (of festivity) instead of these for you which
are better than these: Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-
Adha.
10
EID AL-FITR

 ORIGIN
 The joy and pomp with which Eid was celebrated
Sahi Eidgah Dhaka
during the Mughal period was confined to the
immigrant highly placed and rich Muslims.

 The general body of people remained aloof from it.

However, the ruins of Sahi Eidgahs in different parts of
Bangladesh bear witness to fact that the Mughals
accorded importance to Eid. Sahi Eidgah Shylet

11
EID AL-FITR

 By the end of the 19th century, a new ingredient, viz.,

folk-fair, was added as an accompanying source of
pleasure during Eid.

 This trend still continues and now at least twelve fairs

are held on the occasion of Eid in different regions of
Bangladesh.
Eid Festival during Mughal Period

12
EID AL-FITR

 An account of the Eid celebration by the Bengali Muslims

during the last hundred years reveals that one of the main
features of the Eid festival was the arrangement of special
food and drink.

13
EID AL-FITR

 In the rural areas, the food would include Korma, Polao, and
various types of homemade Pitha, Semai, and Jarda.
Unmarried girls would draw butterflies, which have long
been recognized by the Bengalis as a symbol of marriage, on
the Pitha.

 But in the urban areas, this type of indigenous practice was

absent. In the Eid menu, homemade sweet items would get
prominence.

14
EID AL-FITR

 One of the main characteristic features of the 19 th century

Eid procession in the 19th century at
Eid in Dhaka was the Eid procession. Dhaka

 Probably the Naib-Nazims of Dhaka introduced this

practice of procession after taking the clue from the
famous Janmastami procession of Dhaka.

15
EID AL-FITR

 In many cases, local or urban culture has also made an

impact on this festival.

 During the 1930s and 1940s, on the Eid day in Dhaka,

Khathak dance was performed in Ramna, Armanitola and
other grounds. Besides, boat race, kite flying, horse race
etc. were held.

16
EID AL-FITR

 Horse race and Hijra dance were features of Baboo culture,

which was adapted in the Eid festival. At the start of the last
century, when the political movement for a separate Muslim
identity began, Eid festival assumed new importance.

 After the creation of Pakistan in 1947, both the Eids became

the national religious festivals in the state of which present-
day Bangladesh was a part, and enjoyed patronization from
the government.

17
 Eid-ul Azha
 As far as Eid-ul Azha is concerned it should be mentioned
at the outset that during the last century, sacrifice of
animals, especially cow, on the occasion of the festival were
common.

 During the 1950s or 1960s, many of the middle class

families could afford to sacrifice at least one goat because it
could be purchased for fifty to one hundred rupees. Many
people on the villages would sacrifice domestically raised
cows or goats.

18
Eid-ul Azha

 SACRIFICE OF THE ANIMAL

 But after the independence of Bangladesh, when the gap between the rich and the
poor widened extensively, sacrifice of the animal has now become a symbol of
social status.

 In the villages, sacrifice is now limited within the rich and middle class cultivators.

19
Eid-ul Azha

 SACRIFICE OF THE ANIMAL

 The majority of the professionals in towns sacrifice
cows on shares. Still many cannot afford even that.
The rich sacrifice cow or goat or both animals on their
own.

 Before the commencement of Eid-ul Azha, particular

cattle markets are held in various parts of the country.

20
Muharram
 Muharram was observed with pomp and grandeur till
the 1960s, and its faint significance still lingers. Many
of the Mughal rulers, though they adhered to the Sunni
view, patronised Muharram.

 All the rulers from Murshid Quli Khan to

Mubarakuddaula were the supporters of the Shiite (sia)
sect. Sirajuddaula built an Imambara for them. Not
only that, the Nawabs also participated in the
Muharram procession and spent money for Muharram
from the government treasury. Imambara

21
Muharram

 During the Muharram Punthis (Puthi) were read in

modulated voice to create the effect of tune.

 A new dimension was added to the grief of Muharram with

the publication (in 1885-91 AD) of Mir Mosharraf Hussain’s
Bisad-Sindhu.

22
Muharram

 At present, the main centre of the observance of

Muharram in Dhaka is the Husaini Dalan. The oldest
Imambara of Dhaka is located in the Bibika Rawja
Mahalla of Farashganj. A certain Amir Khan built it in
1600 AD.

 In the 1869 map of Dhaka, there is a mention of

another old Husaini Dalan. This Husaini Dalan of Mir
Yakub was located near Phulbaria. Two other old
Husaini Dalans were at Chhota Katra and Muqim Katra.

23
Muharram

 In the past, the Tazia was immersed in a pond at

Azimpur. The main attractions of the Muharram
celebration are the fairs, which are arranged at Husaini
Dalan, Bakshibazar, Farashganj and Azimpur.

 Of all the fairs, the one that is held at Azimpur is the

largest. Wherever Muharram is celebrated in
Bangladesh, fair is an integral part.

24
DURGA PUJA
 Across the globe, Hindus celebrate a diverse number
of festivals and celebrations. The festivals typically
celebrate events from ancient Indian and Hindu
mythology, often coinciding with seasonal changes.
There are many festivals which are primarily celebrated
by specific sects or in certain regions of the Indian
subcontinent.

 Durga Puja is an old festival but it is difficult to say with

any degree of certainty how old it is. The most
antiquated example of Goddess Durga who killed the The Goddess Durga Killing the Buffalo
Demon (Mahishasura Mardini),Pala
Mahisasura belonged to the 15th century AD. period,12th century AD

25
DURGA PUJA
 THE NATURE AND MODE OF THE DURGA PUJA
 The nature and mode of the Durga Puja, which would be performed in the past,
were different. It is also known as untimely awakening of goddess Durga as
Ramachandra invoked her, because in the past Durga Puja was performed in the
spring and that was the favorable time for offering Puja to the goddess.

 But in the Ramayana compiled by Kirttivasa, it is mentioned that Rama offered

the goddess untimely Puja from which the practice of performing the Puja in the
autumn was introduced.

 A series of festivals centering Durga Puja is held in Bangladesh. Usually on the

sixth lunar day of the bright fortnight in the Bengali month of Aswin, the
ceremonial awakening of goddess Durga takes place.
26
DURGA PUJA

 PUJA IS PERFORMED FOR THREE DAYS ON THE

SEVENTH, EIGHTH AND NINTH DAYS
 Thereafter, Puja is performed for three days on the
seventh, eighth and ninth, and the immersion of the
image of the goddess Durga with her companions is
held on the tenth day.

 People exchange greetings for fifteen days after the

immersion of the image of the deity.

27
DURGA PUJA
 RAJA KANGSANARAYANA- INTRODUCED FIRST
DURGA PUJA IN BENGAL
 Durga Puja was introduced in Bengal by Raja
Kangsanarayana (Diwan of Bengal and ruler of
Tahirpur) in the 16th century AD who was a mace-
bearer of Emperor Akbar. After introduction, it took
almost three hundred years for Durga Puja to become
the universal and biggest religious festival of the
Hindus of West Bengal and Bangladesh.

 Durga Puja was observed for the first time as a festival

full of pomp and grandeur in Kolkata in the 19th
century AD. Thereafter Durga Puja gradually spread to
various regions of Bengal. The Zamindars played the
main role in making this as the most popular festival. 28
Janmastami

 Janmastami is another Hindu religious festival held in

observance of the birthday of Krishna, who is
traditionally believed to have been born on Astami Tithi
(eighth day) of the moonless fortnight of Bhadra. Thus
the day is known as Janmastami. Janmastami festivals
are held in Bangladesh on this day.

 Processions have long been brought out on the occasion

of Janmastami in Dhaka city. These processions were
once so famous that people from a long distance used
to come to watch them. It is believed that Janmastami
processions were begun by a Sadhu (holy man) of
Bangshal in 1555 AD.
29
JANMASTAMI

 Janmastami processions were revived after the

independence of Bangladesh in 1971. At present,
Janmastami processions are brought out from
Dhakeswari Temple every year. After going round
different areas of the city, the procession culminates at
the temple. The day is a public holiday.

 Different organisations and institutes hold religious

discussions and cultural shows on the occasion.
Articles highlighting the ideals of Krishna are published
in the newspapers. Radio and television also put up
special programmes on the occasion.
30
BUDDHA PURNIMA

 Buddha Purnima the main religious festival of the

Buddhist community, observed on Baishakhi Purnima,
the day of the full moon in Baishakh (mid-April to mid-
May).

 Three important events in the life of Buddha are believed

to have occurred on this day: (1) His birth in around 623
BC; (2) His gaining enlightenment (Nirvana) in around 588
BC, and (3) His death (Mahaparinirvana) in around 543
BC.

31
BUDDHA PURNIMA

 According to Buddhist tradition, Buddha, after his

previous incarnation as Santos Kumar, was living in
paradise.

 He was asked by the gods to take rebirth as a human

being for the salvation of the world and to show human
beings as well as the gods the road to bliss. He considered
the Gods’ request and, on the day of the full moon in
Asadh (mid-June-mid-July), he entered into his mother’s
womb in a dream.

32
BUDDHA PURNIMA

 EARLY LIFE GAUTAM BUDDHA AND HIS RELIGION

 Buddha was born on the following auspicious Baishakhi
Purnima.

 As Siddhartha, he renounced his family at the age of 29

and travelled and meditated in search of truth. After
meditating for six years at Urubela (Buddhagaya) in Gaya,
he attained Buddhatva or enlightenment.

33
BUDDHA PURNIMA
 EARLY LIFE GAUTAM BUDDHA AND HIS RELIGION
 According to Buddhist tradition, the day of his
enlightenment was also a full moon day in Baishhakh, or
Baisakhi Purnima. After attaining Buddhatva, he travelled
throughout India for 45 years propagating the principles
of his religion.

 He breathed his last at the age of 80 in the Shal forest on

the banks of the Hiranyavati. That day, as the Buddhists
believe, was also a Baishakhi Purnima. On Buddha
Purnima, Buddhists arrange Panchashil, Astashil,
Sutrapath, Sutrashravan, collective prayer and various
other religious ceremonies.
34
BUDDHA PURNIMA

 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL EVENTS

 Apart from religious rites, social and cultural events are also organized. Many Buddhist
Viharas organize three-day celebrations. The day is observed as a public holiday and
there are special programs on Radio and TV. Newspapers bring out special issues on
the occasion.

 Various viharas and organizations publish souvenirs and magazines on the occasion.
Fairs are also held on the day at different villages and viharas; one such is the
Bodhidrum mela at Baidyapada in Chittagong.

35
CHRISTMAS

 Christmas, the mass of Christ, the festival of Christ’s

birth celebrated by most Christian churches on 25
December, a festival devoted mainly to family re-union
and celebration. The observance of Christmas is
believed to have dated from 200 AD.
 In 354 AD, December 25 was declared as Christ’s
birthday and affirmed it by the Pope in 440 AD.
Socially, Christmas was observed to counter pagan
Roman festivals.

36
CHRISTMAS

 Though Christmas has religious roots, it is becoming an increasingly secular festival, an

occasion for people to enjoy themselves, have parties, send cards and give gifts. The
agent of presents is known variously as Father Christmas, Santa Claus, and Saint
Nicholas.

 Christmas cards first appeared in the mid-19 th century. The Christmas tree, usually a
coniferous tree, is decorated with lights and small ornaments, often with a star or an
angel on top.

37
CHRISTMAS

 Christmas in Bangladesh starts with the singing of

Christmas carols in churches from the first week of
December.

 Christmas carols are also sung moving

ceremoniously from house to house and money is
collected for feasting and merrymaking.

38
CHRISTMAS

 Christmas festivities last up to the first week of January. Gifts are exchanged on
Christmas Eve or earlier. There are midnight services in churches on Christmas Eve
and on Christmas morning.

 Local delicacies such as Pitha, Payesh, Polao or Biriani are prepared for invited
relatives and friends. Hotels and restaurants serve western Christmas fare.

39
ETHNIC FESTIVAL
 VAISABI
 Vaisabi a major festival of the ethnic peoples of Chittagong Hill Tracts welcoming the
New Year. Different ethnic peoples call it in different names, and the name ‘Vaisabi’ is
common to all of them

40
ETHNIC FESTIVAL

 VAISABI
 The Tripuris call the festival Baishu.

 The Marmas call it Shangrai and

 The Chakmas call it Biju.

 Baishu, Shangrai and Biju are collectively known as

Vaisabi.

 The term Vaisabi is the combination of the first letter of

the three names of the festival such as bai of Baishu, Sa
of Sangrai and bi of Biju.
41
ETHNIC FESTIVAL

 The New Year’s Day festival is generally observed for three days, last two days of the
passing year and the first day of New Year in the hilly districts of Bandarban,
Rangamati and Khagrachhari.

 THE BAISHU FESTIVAL OF TRIPURI

 The Baishu festival, the biggest festival of the Tripuris, is observed for continuous three
days. Everyday has some rites called Hari Baishu, Bishuma Baishu and Bishikatal or
Atadang Baishu.

42
ETHNIC FESTIVAL

 FESTIVAL FOOD
 Tripuri women make cakes of Binni rice and Cholai wine.

 The males take part in competition of making handicrafts of bamboo and cane and in
other games.

 They also take part in games like Dang, Gudu, Chur, Shukui, Udeng and Wakarai.

43
ETHNIC FESTIVAL

 MAIN PROGRAM
 The Chakmas observe Fool Biju on 29 Chaitra, Mool Biju on the 30th and Gajyapajya
on the first day of Baishakh.

 On the day of Fool Biju, they collect flowers from the forest and divide these into four
groups.

44
ETHNIC FESTIVAL

 FOOD OF THE FESTIVAL

 On the day of Mool Biju, Pachan or Ghanta (a spicy dish of mixed vegetables) is
prepared by the Chakmas.
 Besides, Payesh and various kinds of cakes are prepared and fish and meat are cooked.

 Arrangements are there for Khai (toasted rice) of Binni paddy, Naru (ball of sweetmeat),
Shimai and indigenous hilly wine.

45
CULTURAL FESTIVAL

 PAHELA BAISHAKH IS THE SECULAR FESTIVAL OF ALL BENGALI

 In Bangladesh, another festival is gaining prominence, which is not related to religion-it

is Bangla New Year’s day.

 It is observed with great enthusiasm on the first day of Baisakh of the Bangla calendar.
Its main characteristic feature is that it is a social festival and its appeal is universal.
Such a festival, which is not based on religion but still universal, is rare in the world.

46
CULTURAL FESTIVAL

 PAHELA BAISHAKH IS THE SECULAR FESTIVAL OF ALL

BENGALI

 During the last 400 years, many functions related to

agriculture and the six seasons have been amalgamated in
it and by way of revolving in this way, the first day of
Baisakh has turned into the New Year’s Day.

 Since the 1960s, Bengali New Year’s Day assumed a new

dimension.

47
CULTURAL FESTIVAL

 PAHELA BAISHAKH IS THE SECULAR FESTIVAL OF ALL BENGALI

 During Ayub rule, when an attack was launched on Tagore songs and Bengali culture,
Chhayanat arranged a function of Tagore songs under the famous banyan tree of
Ramna on the occasion of observing the New Year’s Day on the first day of Baisakh.

 This endeavor of Chhayanat gradually became popular. After the independence of

Bangladesh, the Bangla New Year’s Day was declared as an official holiday.

48
PAHELA BAISHAKH

 Pahela Baishakh is now a major social festival in Bangladesh. A similar ceremony

welcoming the New Year is also held at the Institute of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka.

 Students and teachers of the Institute take out a colorful procession and parade round
the campus. Social and cultural organizations celebrate the day with cultural programs.

49
PAHELA BAISHAKH

 Pahela Baishakh is now a major social festival in Bangladesh.

A similar ceremony welcoming the New Year is also held at the
Institute of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka.

 Students and teachers of the Institute take out a colorful

procession and parade round the campus. Social and cultural
organizations celebrate the day with cultural programs.

50
PAHELA BAISHAKH

 FOOD, DRESS AND BAISHAKHI FAIRS

 Special foods are prepared to entertain guests. Baishakhi fairs are arranged in many
parts of the country. Various agricultural products, traditional handicrafts, toys,
cosmetics, and variety of foods and sweets are sold at these fairs.

 The fairs also provide entertainment, with singers and dancers staging Jatra, Pala Gan,
Kabi Gan, Jarigan, Gambhira Gan, Gajir Gan and Alkap Gan. They present folk songs
as well as Baul, Marfati, Murshidi and Bhatiali songs.

51
PAHELA BAISHAKH

 FOOD, DRESS AND BAISHAKHI FAIRS

 Narrative plays like Laily-Majnu, Yusuf-Zulekha and Radha-
Krishva are staged. Among other attractions of these fairs are
puppet shows and merry-go-rounds.

 Though agricultural in origins, the Pahela Baishakh festivities

are now more marked in urban societies than in rural
societies.

52
PAHELA BAISHAKH

53
NABANNA

 Nabanno is a Bengali harvest celebration usually celebrated

with food and dance and music in Bangladesh and in the
Indian states of West Bengal, Tripura and Assam’s Barak
Valley.

 It is a festival of food; many local preparations of Bengali

cuisine like Pitha are cooked.

54
NABANNA FESTIVAL

 CELEBRATION

 Nowadays the Festival “Nabanna” is celebrating every

Bengali year (1st day of Agrahayan) in Dhaka, organised by
Jatiya Nabanna Utshab Udjapan Parshad (National Harvest
Festival committee) since 1998.

 Several dance and music forms have grown out of the ritual
accompanied with the festival.

55
LANGUAGE MOVEMENT DAY

 To mark the Language movement and the massacre, a

symbolic sculpture, Shaheed Minar (Martyrs’ Monument), was
erected in the place of the massacre.

 On 21st February, the area in front of the sculpture is covered

in flowers, left as a commemoration of those who gave their
lives in defense of their language and culture.

56
LANGUAGE MOVEMENT DAY

 The efforts of the Bangladeshi people to protect their

language is honored by UNESCO which established 21 st
February as International Mother Language Day in 2000.
 The intention of the day is to promote awareness of
linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.

57
INDEPENDENCE DAY
 Independence Day is commonly associated
with parades, political speeches, fairs, concerts,
ceremonies and various other public and private
events celebrating the history and traditions of
Bangladesh. TV and radio stations broadcast
special programs and patriotic songs in honor of
the Independence Day. Generally, a thirty-
one gun salute is conducted in the morning.
 The main streets are decorated with national
flags. Different political parties and socioeconomic
organizations undertake programs to mark the
day in a befitting manner, including paying
respects at Jatiyo Smriti Soudho, the national
memorial, at Savar near Dhaka. 58
NATIONAL MOURNING DAY

 National Mourning Day in Bangladesh is observed on

August 15 in Bangladesh. It is a public holiday in
Bangladesh. On this day in 1975, a group of junior
army officers killed Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman-Father of the Nation and most of the members
of his family. His two daughters’ were spared because
they were in Germany at the time.

 Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is known as the ‘Father of the

Nation’ of Bangladesh. His political prudence, great
courage, eloquence and powerful leadership motivated
the countrymen to join in the war of liberation.
59
NATIONAL MOURNING DAY

 Bangabandhu proclaimed independence on March 26 in

1971 and the people dived into nine months of long hard
battle and achieved the much desired freedom. The
nation itself has been awaiting a very long time for
justice for the brutal murders.
 They say many things that happen in history can be
repeated if proper measures are not in place. It is
important to be aware of events like this in history so we
can learn from these mistakes.

60
NATIONAL MOURNING DAY

 The national flag is flown at half-mast at government, organizational, educational

and other buildings throughout the land. The Awami League also raises a black
flag at all their party offices on the morning of August 15 th, the time the brutal
killings were discovered.

 The Awami League and others will also have special prayer sessions at Mosques,
Mandir, Churches and Pagodas. The whole day is one of great solemnity, and the
“Father of the Nation” is given great respect and honour.

61
MARTYRED INTELLECTUALS DAY

 The celebration of Martyred Intellectuals Day has been

taking place since 1972.

 On 14th December, Bangladesh observes Martyred

Intellectuals Day to remember those intellectuals who
were murdered by the Pakistani forces and their
collaborators just before the end of the 1971 Liberation
War.

62
VICTORY DAY

 The celebration of Victory Day has been taking place

since 1972. The Bangladesh Liberation War became a
topic of great importance in cinema, literature, history
lessons at school, the mass media, and the arts in
Bangladesh.

 The ritual of the celebration gradually obtained a

distinctive character with a number of similar
elements: Military Parade by Bangladesh Armed
Forces at the National Parade Ground, ceremonial
meetings, speeches, lectures and receptions.
63
VICTORY DAY

 Victory Day in Bangladesh is a joyous celebration in which popular culture plays a

great role. TV and radio stations broadcast special programs and patriotic songs.

 The main streets are decorated with national flags. Different political parties and
socio-economic organizations undertake programs to mark the day in a befitting
manner, including the paying of respects at Jatiyo Smriti Soudho, the national
memorial at Savar in Dhaka District.

64
RABINDRA JAYANTI
 Rabindra Jayanti is an annually celebrated cultural
festival, prevalent among Bengalis around the world, in the
remembrance of Rabindranath Tagore’s birthday
anniversary. It is celebrated in early May, on the 25th day
of the Bengali month of Boishakh, since Tagore was born
on this day of the year 1268 (1861 AD) of the Bengali
calendar.
 Every year, numerous cultural programs & events, such
as : Kabipranam-the songs (Rabindra Sangeet), poetries,
dances and dramas, written and composed by Tagore, are
organized in this particular day, by various schools,
colleges and universities of Bangladesh and West Bengal,
and also celebrated by different groups abroad, as a tribute
to Tagore and his works. 65
RABINDRA JAYANTI

 Throughout the world, Tagore’s birth anniversary is largely celebrated

at Santiniketan, Birbhum in West Bengal, chiefly in Visva-Bharati University, the
institution founded by Tagore himself for the cultural, social and educational
upliftment of the students as well as the society.

 Government of India Issued 5 Rupees coin in 2011 to mark the 150 Birth
Anniversary in the honor of Rabindranath Tagore.

66
RABINDRA JAYANTI

67
NAZRUL JAYANTI

 As a versatile poet, Nazrul enriched the Bengali

literature through his ventures in the domain of
humanism, devotional songs in Islam & Shyama
sangeet in Hinduism & rebellion against colonial
oppression etc.

 Kazi Nazrul Islam, the national poet of

Bangladesh, wrote extensively in Dhumketo,
Bulbul (Nightingale), Jugbani & edited Nabajug
(1920-’42).

68
NAZRUL JAYANTI

 Upholding a secular spirit, Rebel Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam

(1899- 1976) emerged as the first Bengali Muslim poet who
won the respect & admiration of all sections of people
countrywide.

 He published his first piece of writing ‘Baundoler

Atmakotha’ in Showgat.

69
NAZRUL JAYANTI

 Nazrul Jayanti is the birthday of Kazi Nazrul Islam the

national poet of Bangladesh on 24 May.

 The day is organized and celebrated by various schools,

colleges & universities of Bengal, and also celebrated by
Bengalis around the world, as a tribute to Nazrul
and his works.

70
NAZRUL JAYANTI

71
NAZRUL JAYANTI

 Nazrul Jayanti is the birthday of Kazi Nazrul Islam the

national poet of Bangladesh on 24 May.

 The day is organized and celebrated by various schools,

colleges & universities of Bengal, and also celebrated by
Bengalis around the world, as a tribute to Nazrul
and his works.

72
THANKS!

73