http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/ en 2010-03-02T11:07:12+00:00 hourly 6 2010-03-02T11:07:12+00:00 http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/gambhira-jari-and-fakir-bengali-folk-dances-part-3 2010-03-02T11:07:12+00:00 en Editor Features Gambhira dance is accompanied by Ghambira songs, and while the dance is not as popular as it once was, it is nevertheless still performed and enjoyed in Rajshahi. Through song and dance, the two main performers in their roles of maternal grandfather (nana) and grandson (nati), address issues of social, political, economic and moral concern. The dialogue takes the form of both verse and prose and there is a chorus repeating the refrain of the song. Musical accompaniment for Gambhira dance includes the harmonica, flute and drum, with the nati wearing strings of bells around his ankles. http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/chhokra-ghatu-and-leto-bengali-folk-dances-part-2 2010-02-04T11:58:32+00:00 en Editor Features Folk dancing in Bangladesh is a very popular pastime and forms an integral part of many religious, cultural and social gatherings. Chhokra, Ghatu and Leto dances are primarily attended by Muslims, but they also attract people from other communities, showing that music and dance can very often transcend any perceived barriers among people of different religions and backgrounds. http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/chhau-and-dak-bengali-folk-dances 2010-01-11T08:47:06+00:00 en Editor Features Folk dancing in Bangladesh has been handed down through countless generations, forming an important part of community gatherings. Some folk dances are closely associated with religious beliefs, while others may cross the borders of religion and have meaning on a social level, incorporating elements of daily activities such as planting, harvesting and fishing. http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/new-year-festivals-in-the-chittagong-hills-tracts 2009-12-17T09:31:55+00:00 en Editor Features Just about every nation in the world has its own special way of bidding farewell to the old year, while welcoming the new. In Bangladesh the indigenous tribes of the Chittagong Hills Tracts celebrate the end of the current year and the beginning of the new year with a series of colorful and lively festivals called Sagrai by the Marma people, Bwisu by the Tripura people, and Biju by the Chakmas. While similar in many ways, each tribe has a few unique aspects to their celebrations, which take place in mid April every year, depending on the new moon. http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/national-botanical-garden-of-bangladesh 2009-11-20T07:57:26+00:00 en Editor Features Located at Mirpur, alongside the Dhaka Zoo, the National Botanical Garden of Bangladesh occupies an area of more than 100 acres and is both a research center and a popular tourist attraction. The research team at the garden collects and documents plant specimens from all over the country, as well as from far-off locations. The garden, which is officially known as the Bangladesh National Herbarium, is categorized into fifty-seven sections and includes a cactus house, lily ponds, a lotus pond, six lakes, two nurseries, an orchid house, a tissue culture research center and comprehensive visitor facilities. http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/visit-bahadur-shah-park 2009-10-09T09:07:35+00:00 en Editor Features Bahadur Shah Park, located in Dhaka, Bangladesh, is a striking war memorial set amidst the splendor of nature. This fantastic attraction in Dhaka provides travelers with the opportunity to look back into the turbulent history of Bangladesh. The park attracts some two thousand visitors each day and frequently sets the scene for cultural and religious festivals. http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/performances-by-dhaka-padatik 2009-09-07T10:25:59+00:00 en Editor Miscellaneous On 21 January 1978, a group was formed in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to uplift spirits and to enrich the lives of the local community through theatre and entertainment. It was called Padatik Nattya Sangsad and it was created with the very simple motto of: “Let drama be the weapon for the struggle of life, let drama be the expression of life”. This group staged performances that the public could relate to and could find hope in through the difficult times in their lives, and during volatile times in the country. Another group in Dhaka would find their feet a few years later and also reach out to the public through drama and theatre. http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/exploring-dublar-char 2009-08-12T08:10:44+00:00 en Editor Features Bangladesh is a beautiful and unique country filled with color, culture and contrast. From bustling cities to peaceful rural villages, the locations spread across this small section of the globe are many and varied. Visitors may even choose to visit the country’s coastline or some location not far from the shores of Bangladesh. http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/scuba-diving-in-bangladesh 2009-07-17T13:47:22+00:00 en Editor Features Not many people view Bangladesh as being a great location to go scuba diving. However more and more people are discovering the natural wonders that St Martin's Island has to offer. This small island is located just off the coast of Bangladesh and it is already quite a national treasure. http://www.bangladesh.com/blog/the-shilpangan-gallery 2009-06-24T09:35:05+00:00 en Editor Features Art lovers visiting Bangladesh will most certainly want to make a stop at the Shilpangan Gallery in Dhanmondi. This fantastic art gallery has already been open for more than fourteen years and it is renowned for its fantastic and varied displays of local talent.