"Nabanna" - A Rural Culture becomes National

Artists performing a dance at the Nabanna Festival

"Nabanna" is culture practiced by the agrarian society of Bangladesh. It is the festival to mark the beginning of autumn season. This is the most suitable season for cultivation. The dictionary meaning of Nabanna is the "new food". Literally it's the time when the farmer fills their granary with crops. So this period is traditionally celebrated by the rural people of Bangladesh.

Now the city dwellers have come forward to continue the age-long tradition. Although the city is not associated with agriculture, the celebration is there. So people gathered at the 'Institute of Fine Arts' of 'University of Dhaka' (my university) to mark the beginning of Autumn season and "Nabanna". Traditional recitations, dances and songs were performed during the show. Although people in the city are blamed for not upholding the tradition, this program proved that the new generation is well-aware of the true culture of Bangladesh.

Historically Bangladesh is an agricultural country. And Nabanna is a festival by which the city dwellers expressed their respect to the traditional culture and gratitude to the farmers, who are the people producing foods for the whole country.