Interesting Facts about Bengali Culture & Tradition
West Bengal is one of India’s most culturally diverse states, and it’s full of delights. No matter how you look at it, the magnificent state that exists seems to result from various religions integrating into a single one. Apart from the traditional red bindis and kurta-dhotis, West Bengal has a lot to offer. There are numerous facets to West Bengali culture, and we’ll examine a few of the most intriguing currently.
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| West Bengal Culture |
Bengalis are proud of their rich cultural heritage and their shared intellectual and moral values. It’s a phenomenon referred to as Bengali pride. The underlying character of Bengali life is unaffected by markers such as class, caste, creed, or community. Instead, people are urged to celebrate their differences and accept them as part of their uniqueness.
Famous Bengali Literature
Bengalis have made a substantial contribution to Indian literature’s modernization. Gitanjali is the best collection of poems by Bengali Poet Rabindranath Tagore. He received Nobel Prize for literature.
The country’s literary legacy goes well beyond that. Folk tales like the Thakurmar Jhuli, Gopal Bhar, and many others have a long tradition and are prevalent in the same way as stories like Arabian nights and the Panchatantra.
Famous Writers of West Bengal
West Bengal is home to some of the world’s greatest writers. Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay, Kazi Nazrul Islam, and many more are some famous Bengali writers whose contributions can not be forgotten in the field of literature. They have made significant contributions to Bengali and world literature.
In the later part of the 20th century, several postmodern movements, including the Kallol movement, the Hungry movement, and Little magazines. As a result of these movements, important Bengali literature figures including Sukumar Ray, Jibananda Das, Sunil Gangopadhyay, and Syed Mustafa Siraj rose to prominence in Bengali literature circles.
Visual And Performing Arts –
Forerunners in modern contemporary art such as Abanindranath Tagore, Gaganendranath Tagore, Jamini Roy, and Rabindranath Tagore came from Bengal, and their work is recognized as advancing Bengal’s artistic modernization. Known as the “Father of Modern Indian Art,” Abanindranath Tagore founded the Bengal School of Art to promote artistic styles free of European influence.
Early allusions to terracotta and Kalighat paintings reveal that the region has long appreciated and valued art. This goes back to before modernization. After independence, much political propaganda graffiti was put up on various state walls, painting witty banter and limerick verses and party promotion. Even today, this is still a well-liked concept. Graffiti painting on private walls is illegal. Hence the murals can only be found on club walls.
Dance And Music – West Bengal Culture
Regional music’s enormous influence adds to the region’s already impressive cultural history. Baul singing is one of the most well-known types of traditional Indian singing. A folk song about God is sung here, showing the intense feelings that such singing elicits. The performer appears to be in a trance, with their eyes closed and focused solely on the music. Besides Gombhira, Bhawaiya, and kirtans, there are additional types of folk singing.
Besides Indian Classical Music, the area also has some influences from Rabindrasangeet, famous by the genius all-rounder Rabindranath Tagore. To sum it up, the music of West Bengal is pretty diverse.
Folk dances like Chau, where participants wear large, colorful masks and dance, have their origins in West Bengal.
Traditional Bengali Food
It’s impossible to exist without food, and Bengalis know how to appreciate it! Because of the vast rice plantations spread throughout the state, rice is a typical food.
Bengalis have several unique fish dishes such as Malai curry of Prawn Fish, patron, ilish mach, etc., which are all made with fish.
Everyday meals include roti, thick curries, fish, eggs, meat, and other dairy and protein sources.
Bengali Sweet
In addition to being well-known, the sweets of West Bengal are particularly famous for their use of milk and milk derivatives. Rasogolla, Sandesh, Rasamalai, and handmade Pitha, for example, are national favorites thanks to their fame and popularity.
The modern Bengali wants to try new things; thus, besides traditional Bengali fare, they love Anglo-Indian, Continental, Lebanese, Thai, and Chinese cuisines.
Festivals of West Bengal
West Bengal, like the rest of the state, celebrates a wide variety of festivals.
Durga Puja
Durga Puja is the region’s most famous celebration, drawing visitors from all over the world. In honor of Goddess Durga’s victory over the monster Mahishasura, this is a festive occasion. Until the nine-day celebrations are over, the roadways will be congested. Checkout:- Durga Puja in Bengal
Bengali Holi
Bengali Holi is a spectacular occasion with elaborate tents (known as pandals) erected across the state and individuals buying new outfits and accessories specifically for this time of year. Checkout:- Holi Festival in India
Kali Puja
Kali Puja is one of the most popular festivals in Bengal. the festival is celebrated during Diwali. Lakshmi Puja (celebrated in honor of the Indian Goddess of Wealth). You can see a glimpse of Kali Puja on the street Bengali during the Diwali festival.
West Bengal Traditions
Bengali Traditional Dress
Traditionally, Bengali women dress in the Saree, which is draped in a unique way unique to the state of West Bengal, called the ‘pallu.’ The Shalwar kameez has become popular with the newer generation who also wear jeans, dresses, and skirts.
Older men still wore dhotis, although they only do so on exceptional occasions like weddings or festivals. Aside from the westernized shirt pants, their look is a mix of traditional Indian and western. Kolkata, more than any other metropolis in West Bengal, has absorbed this westernization touch.
West Bengali culture is widely regarded as one of India’s most affluent. Aside from Bengali music, Bengali cinema, and Bengali literature, all have deep roots in Bengali culture. As part of the state’s cultural heritage, Bengali cuisine is a must-try.