Coinciding with the Bengali New Year, the Baishakhi Festival exhibition at Bay’s Edge Gallery in Dhaka celebrated the rich cultural and artisanal heritage of Bangladesh. Curated by renowned designer Maheen Khan, the event showcased a stunning collection of handwoven silk garments, including saris, jackets, and embroidered quilts (nakshi katha).

Shakrain is now observed by the entire community of Old Dhaka

For many of us, New Market, as popular as it is to retailers, has a lot of fond memories. In our attempt to sail through nostalgia and history, we found an interesting shop at New Market, Bashir Uddin Tailors and Fabrics — this is the story of a sartorial pedigree.

Shankhari Bazar, one of Dhaka’s oldest neighbourhoods, is renowned for its vibrant cultural heritage. During Durga Puja, the area transforms with colourful decorations and bustling markets. Despite modernization, it retains its charm, offering a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

If you are a devoted listener of Coke Studio Bangla, chances are you may not have missed its Season 3 opener, “Tati,” — a song that celebrates not just the music, but the very soul of Bangladeshi craftsmanship. Released under the creative direction of Shayan Chowdhury Arnob, the vocalists include Md Gonjer Ali, Oli Boy and the evergreen Jaya Ahsan.

From traditional setups to ones full of modern amenities, the evolution of the rural kitchen in Bangladesh reveals an interesting narrative.

When it comes to statement jewellery, only a few pieces can rival the evergreen attraction of jhumkas. Over time, these ornate, dangling earrings have transcended cultural boundaries to become a universal symbol of elegance and grace. Above all, jhumkas are known for their intricate craftsmanship and their ability to effortlessly elevate any outfit, making them relevant to the fashion scene at every age and era.

Many individuals and organisations are tirelessly working to preserve and restore these crafts. Take for example, Revival, an initiative working on renewing thousand-year-old traditions. A joint venture of Bangladesh and Japan, it seeks to delve into the rich artisanal history of Bangladesh but from the perspective of the aesthetic sense of the Japanese.

Eliza Binte Elahi is a woman with many monikers and identities. She is a travel vlogger with over 28,000 followers on Facebook. She is a travelogue writer who contributes to major news outlets in Bangladesh and has also published two books.

The cultural legacy of Bengal is imbued in its breath-taking religious structures. Being a predominantly Muslim land, it's unsurprising that mosques constitute the majority of such architectural wonders. Throughout the course of Islamic rule in Bengal, stretching from the early Sultanate period to modern times, the designs of mosques have undergone a continual evolution.

Authorities must save Kayettuli Manasa temple from collapse

Fashion Design Council of Bangladesh (FDCB), a platform of designers who promote slow fashion that is both sustainable and friendly to our environment, presented a charming fashion show, ‘The Impossible Collection Of Fashion’ at the American Club in Gulshan recently, showcasing 14 Bangladeshi designers who are creating designs with exciting fields of inspiration for every style which can be nurtured to brand Bangladeshi culture globally.

Rajshahi is well known for the various remains of ancient and medieval structures, remnants of a glorious past, dotted all across the region. Darasbari, a beautiful, haunting complex made of red terracotta bricks, is one of those places not often mentioned or even commonly known about except to the locals of the area.

Authorities must save what’s left of Boro Katra, others

Hussaini Dalan is not just a Shiite centre in Dhaka; it is also a Dhaka landmark, spanning centuries of history. While its religious programmes, especially during Muharram and more particularly Ashura are unparalleled, Hussaini Dalan as a Dhaka heritage is extraordinary as well.

Some have taken a similar stance when it comes to fashion. The Chakma, Marma, Garo, Santal and others have their own traditional, heritage wear; many of the new generation may not feel comfortable wearing their heritage outfits and that’s where fashion designer Tenzing Chakma begs to differ.

Every country has its own heritage crafts. While we may have many, from weaving authentic Jamdani to knitting bamboo baskets, very few people know about their history and traditions. Today, in this article we will be talking about one of our most talked about heritages: the art of pottery making and the village that stays awake in keeping our pottery heritages alive. The Bengali term for Pottery making is ‘mritshilpo’, which mostly specifies the maneuver of the craft: the soil of Bangladesh.

Responsible tourism is all about making better places to live, and visit while letting nature thrive. These days, the terms responsible tourism, sustainable tourism, eco-tourism take centre stage of any discourse regarding travelling and tourism, and for good reasons. There is raising awareness, globally, about the adverse impacts travel can have on the nature, environment, places and people — especially through contributing to climate change, pollution, unsustainable pressure on wildlife and habitats, harming local economies, or even distortion of local customs, cultures and heritage.

Responsible tourism is all about making better places to live, and visit while letting nature thrive. These days, the terms responsible tourism, sustainable tourism, eco-tourism take centre stage of any discourse regarding travelling and tourism, and for good reasons. There is raising awareness, globally, about the adverse impacts travel can have on the nature, environment, places and people — especially through contributing to climate change, pollution, unsustainable pressure on wildlife and habitats, harming local economies, or even distortion of local customs, cultures and heritage.

Jamdani is a fine muslin fabric originated in Bangladesh, not very new in the global map. The opulence of jamdani design not only makes it a technical marvel but also guarantees its omnipotence in the handloom industry, no machine could ever surpass its richness. The much appreciated and cherished art of Jamdani weaving of Bangladesh has been duly recognised by UNESCO as the intangible cultural heritage in 2013. It is at the same time a recognition for the weavers.