Social festivals are fading away

The culture of entertainment in the lives of Bengalis is gradually changing, and this has started to become distinctly noticeable. In the past, during social festivals like Eid, Durga Puja, Bengali New Year, Christmas, and Buddha Purnima, various games, cultural programmes, theatre, circus, poetry competitions, Baul songs, and musical duels were organized in different parts of rural Bengal. People would travel from the cities to the villages to celebrate the festivals, reconnecting with family members and loved ones, enjoying the festivities together. The villagers and city dwellers would share the joy of the celebration. However, today, the excitement of those days seems to be waning.

The emotional context of celebrating those festivals is gradually changing. There are many differences and shifts in attitudes. The value system and etiquette are evolving. It is hard to say how much that traditional Bengali sentiment still exists. From experience, I can say that there is a stark contrast between the old days and the life of the Bengali people in the new millennium. The reminiscence of past memories is becoming less frequent. With time, the competition to keep up with changing trends has increased, and more people are caught in the web of rules and regulations. Individualism has grown. People are more focused on fulfilling personal and collective interests. There was once a time when social festivals were celebrated with a shared purpose and sincerity by large groups of people.

Now, that sense of unity has faded. The festivals are becoming a strategic opportunity for some people to achieve their own goals. They are making use of time in various ways. Around four years ago, I wrote that there is no need to feel sorry, as those who can read the times will succeed. This is an unwritten rule of life. Emotions, enthusiasm, and sincerity, in our larger society, always seem to be on the losing side in the balance of calculation. People still visit the villages frequently, albeit for short durations, but where is that festive atmosphere? In contrast, given the socio-economic context, the past culture of short-lived entertainment in rural Bengal should have been more vibrant and joyful.

The joint family system in Bengali life is diminishing. The values of togetherness, love, and sharing joys and sorrows are gradually fading away. The communal leisure activities for men and women in the joint family setting are disappearing. Has the Bengali culture been able to break free from its own traditions to win? A new awakening has emerged in the lives of the Bengali people. This awakening is spreading through family and social life. The Bengali people are ready to go with the flow of change. Positive change is always desired. One must know and understand oneself. The ability to self-reflect and free oneself from despair is crucial. The Bengali people will undoubtedly adopt from others, but not at the expense of their own culture and traditions. The truth is that the Bengali people have progressed in some areas and regressed in others.

The colorful activities surrounding large social festivals in rural Bengal have been fading. The religious events that once provided a clean form of entertainment are not celebrated like they used to. There is now a narrow approach to everything. The enthusiasm to take initiative faces many obstacles, and there are various reasons behind this. However, people are more enthusiastic than before about visiting the villages. Everyone wants to experience the variety of life, even if only for a short time. Some say that the extra entertainment during the festival days, which everyone could enjoy together, is being lost due to the capitalist mentality accepting slavery in the cultural sphere. Many have eagerly accepted this cultural servitude, trying to prove that they are not lagging behind.

In a capitalist society, even though they are few in number, the mindset of these people is prevailing everywhere. They want to wave the flag of international culture. There is no problem with that. However, it should not be at the cost of their own traditions and culture. Denying the Bengali identity is like hitting oneself with an axe. The negative consequences of this will inevitably become noticeable in the future. People have always visited the villages during festivals. Nowadays, more people are doing so. There is a growing rush to leave the urban life behind, even if only temporarily, to return to the villages. Most people endure hardships but still reach the villages with a smile on their faces to be with their loved ones. The large number of people traveling to the villages has a significant positive impact on the rural economy. This has its own special meaning and importance.

I represent a generation that has mostly moved from the village to the city. In the past, during social festivals (which are still celebrated, albeit less frequently, in various rural regions), many rural settlements held swimming competitions in ponds, lakes, and rivers during the afternoons. Boat races were held, with a huge crowd gathering to watch. Football matches were played, including friendly matches between teams of the city’s in-laws and the village’s in-laws.

There were also Hadudu competitions (now known as Kabaddi), volleyball matches, and in some places, horse races and bullfighting. The aim was always to provide pure entertainment. In many rural areas, cultural programmes featuring local artists were organized by the light of a ‘hazak light’ in the evening. Drama performances were staged, with both city and village artists participating. In some places, theatrical performances (Jatra) were held, and watching them late into the night was a unique experience. There were also folk music festivals with songs of Zari and Fakiri.

In my youth, during Eid festivals, I watched a circus in the village. I saw sisters and brothers-in-law playing the game of Dariyabandha in the large courtyard of their village house on the evening of Qurbai Eid day, under the Josna light. I saw young girls and boys playing the ‘Appenchi Bicycle’ game with great joy. Over time, we have lost many things, but these are part of our culture, heritage, and traditions. We must move forward without losing ourselves, preserving and promoting our own culture.

Ekramuzzaman: Columnist and Analyst. Former Senior Vice President of AIPS Asia. Lifetime Member of the Bangladesh Sports Press Association. Panel Writer for Football Asia.