Fairs of Bangladesh

Fairs are inseparable part of the traditional culture of the people of Bangladesh. Some fairs are organized because of their traditional values and social importance whereas others are simply for fun and amusement. The customary fairs in Bangladesh are usually organized annually for periods of three to five days and sometimes for up to an entire month. Different social values, religious spirit and other ideological factors are involved with some particular fairs.

To the fair lovers of Bangladesh, a fair means fun and amusement, eating and buying a few things while walking in a crowded place and returning home with tired feet and get a satisfied heart at the end of the day. Fairs are an important part of our cultural heritage and, with changing times and tastes, have become more elaborate affairs than in the past. Fairs nowadays are not only limited to the rural areas but have gained popularity in the urban areas as well. In fact, they are more amusing in cities than in rural areas. Above all it is noticed that a structural change has taken place in the nature of fairs.

Fairs are a remarkable aspect of culture not only in Bangladesh but also in cities, ports and villages and in other parts of the world. There is no reliable information about the historical origin of fairs but researchers claim that they started about 3000 years back. It is certain, though, that the early fairs expressed the collective joy of the ancient people. Today fairs are a mix of tradition and modernity.

Fairs can be classified as follows: industrial fair, exhibition fair, trade fair, real estate fair, tourism fair, computer fair, fish fair, agricultural fair, book fair, Baisakhi fair, Paush fair, etc. At some fairs entrance is free and at others it is controlled by taking token money for entrance.

Fairs in Baisakh are events that play a vital role in blending heritage with modernity. They enable people from all walks of life, irrespective of class and religion, to meet and interact. Fairs also publicize our rich tradition of folk art and crafts. One can easily become acquainted with Bangladeshi traditions, culture and folk art by visiting a fair. Fairs can also have a positive impact on our cultural mainstream. Some of the major fairs are described below.

Baisakhi Mela

Celebrations of Pahela Baisakh (First of Bangla Year) started from Emperor Akbar's reign. It was customary to clear up all the year's dues on the last day of Chaitra (the twelfth month of the Bengali calendar). On the following day, or the first day of the New Year, landlords would entertain their tenants with sweets. On this occasion fairs used to be organized there. In due course the occasion became part of domestic and social life, and turned into a day of merriment.

New year's festivities are closely linked with rural life in Bengal. Usually on the day everything is thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned. People bathe early in the morning and dress in fine clothes and go to visit relatives, friends and neighbours. Special foods are prepared to entertain guests. Baisakhi Melas are arranged in many parts of the country. Various agricultural products, traditional handicrafts, toys, cosmetics as well as various kinds of food and sweets are sold at these fairs. The fairs also provide entertainment, with singers and dancers staging Jatra, Pala gan, Kavigan, Jarigan, Gambhira Gan, Gazir Gan and Alkap Gan. Artistes present folk songs as well as Baul, marfati, Murshidi and Bhatiali songs.

The most colourful New Year's Day festival takes place in Dhaka. Large numbers of people gather early in the morning under the Banyan Tree at Ramna Park where Chhayanat artistes open the day with Tagore's famous song, Eso he Baisakh eso eso..... (Come O Baisakh, come come……..).

A similar ceremony welcoming the new year is also held at the Institute of Fine Arts, Dhaka University. Students and teachers of the Institute take out a colourful procession and parade round the campus. Artistes present songs to welcome the New Year. People from all walks of life wear traditional Bengali dress: young women wear white sari with red borders and adorn themselves with bangles, flowers and tips. Men wear white pyjamas and panjabi. Many townspeople start the day with the traditional breakfast of panta bhat (cooked rice soaked with water overnight), green chillies, onion and fried Hilsa fish. Special programmes are broadcast and telecast on radio and television and special supplements are brought out by the newspapers.

Baisakhi Meia is the mirror of our traditional culture. It is presumed that it was started about 600 years back. The number of about 600 years back. The number of Baisakhi Melas celebrated in different parts of Bangladesh is around 300-350. Though Baisakhi Melas are organised in a planned way in almost all cities of the country, originally they were very much rural based. Traditional handicrafts, hand-made cakes, special kinds of food stuff, sweets, potteries, bangles, pitchers and cane products are the main exhibits. The Baisakhi Mela is an ancient form of Bengali folk festival that continues to thrive in the modern age. It continues for three days, one week or even as long as one month.

Amor Ekushey Grontho Mela (Book Fair)

Amor Ekushey February is a historic day for the Bengali nation. On that day five valiant sons of this country laid down their lives to win recognition for Bangla as a State language. On 21st February of 1952 a massive procession was taken out, led by the Students Union of Dhaka University and people from all walks of life joined spontaneously to protest against the declaration of Urdu as the sole State language of Pakistan. The police opened fire on the demonstrators when they reached the location of the present Shahid Minar. As a result, five people were killed and several others injured. Bangladesh is the only country in the world whose people fought for their mother tongue and dedicated their lives to have it recognized as a State language. For the above reason during 1996-97, UNESCO recognized 21st February as the International Mother Language Day.

To commemorate this great day, a Grantha Mela or book fair was started on a small scale in 1974 and it was officially recognized in 1978. After the publishers' and booksellers' organiza­tion came together as a cooperative force in organizing the book fair, its popularity increased at a quick pace from 1989. The number of buyers and readers increased in the same manner.

Now the Mela begins on 1st February and continues till the end of the month and it is the most popular fair in Bangladesh.

Muharram Fair

Muharram or the 'sacred month' is the first month of the Islamic or Hijri calendar. The tenth day of Muharram is called Ashura. Imam Husain (R) the grandson of the Holy Prophet (SM) was killed on this day at the hands of the troops of Yazid.

Muharram has been observed since the 10th century AD. In Bengal also it has been observed for the last few centuries. The centre of observances of Muharram in Dhaka is the Husaini Dalan Imambara. Muharram procession have been common in this country since the 18th century AD.

Horses and elephants were used in the processions. In Dhaka, the procession begins at Husaini Dalan and, after winding its way through the city's streets, terminates at a place designated as Karbala on the banks of the Dhanmandi Lake. The replica of Duldul, the horse of Imam Husain and the flags in the procession symbolize the presence of Imam Husain (R). Also Latikhela (stick right) is organised to remind devotees of the battle between the troops of Imam Husain (R) and Yazid. As with other festivals in Bangladesh, Muharram has become an occasion for fairs at various places.

Fair of Ashwin Sankranti

One of the renowned fairs of Rajshahi is hold in a village of Durgapur upazila named Khulshi. The fair is held on the bank of the river for the first three days of the Bengali month of Ashwin. Nobody knows about its origins. According to the local people the age of the fair is around 200 years. Those from this area who are living away from the village come back to their village home during the fair instead of during Eid or the Puja festival. The main attraction of the fair is a circus. A special kind of sweet made of flour and sugar juice named Jilapi is very famous and is sold in huge quantities. Other attractions and exhibits are toys, household items, puffed rice, imitation jewellery, pottery and cosmetics.

Children’s Amusement Fair

The Children's Academy has been organizing a children's amusement fair since 1978 in Dhaka. Usually the fair is organized in the open space in front of the Academy. Many stalls full of books, science exhibits, cane products, handicrafts, pottery, hand stitched items, children's art and wall newspaper are the attractions of the fair.

The fair lasts for 7 days and the main attraction is a children's drama com­petition. Many children's organizations of the country participate in this competition. Children themselves are the directors, actors and actresses. An award is given to the best production. The fair is organized at a suitable time between the months of January and June.

Baul Mela

On the occasion of Lalon Shah's birthday, the folk singers (Bauls) perform Lalon's songs, usually under a banyan tree or on the bank of a river near a village and a group of people organize a fair at the spot.

Rural musical instruments, handicrafts, pottery, light snacks and household items are available in the fair which runs for three days or in some places one week or even longer than that. At present, such fairs are also organized in urban areas and a good number of singers come from different parts of the country. Old and young, men and women, rich and poor participate in the fair with great enthusiasm.