Reflections on Music in Bangladesh

Music plays a large role in the culture of Bangladesh, beginning with its history. Bangladesh, first known as East Pakistan, gained independence over a fight against West Pakistan for the freedom to speak their own language, Bangla. Considering this, it is easy to surmise how art including performing arts and music became a popular form of expression in politics that has greatly contributed to the culture that is ubiquitous today. The rich poetry of the classical and folk songs played by renowned musicians of the time such as Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam influenced not only the growth of music in Bangladesh, but also playwriting and literature. In today’s culture, music stays very prevalent in our traditions. For example, Bangladeshi weddings would be incomplete without music. Weddings are organized to be very festive, full of musical performances comprising of dancing, singing, and playing instruments. Parenthetically, there are several instruments that have originated from South Asia, involving strong roots from Bangladesh, such as the sitar and ektara, two string instruments, the bansuri, a type of flute, and the tabla and dhol, two percussion instruments, just to name a few.

On a more personal level, I have grown up in a family that has always heavily valued music so I naturally developed a strong passion for singing, dancing and playing instruments in a cultural context. Oftentimes, I find myself playing instruments and singing for or even with family at events and gatherings. Over time, my passion for music and the freedom of expression it provides me has grown more and more, and that is greatly credited to the culture that surrounds me here in Bangladesh.