Prof Shaheen unveils revival of country’s agrarian folk & cultural heritage
Professor Israfil Shaheen, a leading cultural researcher, recently unveiled an initiative to integrate Bangladesh’s rich agricultural heritage with its performing arts traditions through a national programme titled ‘Preservation, Research and Revitalization Programme on Bangladesh’s Agrarian Folk Traditions and Cultural Heritage.’
The three-year initiative aims to document, preserve, and rejuvenate the seasonal rituals, folk songs, harvest festivals, oral traditions, and performance practices that have been central to rural life, yet face disappearance under pressures of modernisation and cultural change. Designed for collaboration with key institutions such as Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangladesh Folk Art and Crafts Foundation, the Department of Agricultural Extension, and universities nationwide, the programme proposes cultural mapping, digital archiving, community engagement, and youth training to secure this heritage for future generations, says a press release.
Aminur Rashid Yasin, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock, and Food, in a meeting with Prof Israfil Shaheen, has expressed strong interest in the project and its integrated approach to linking agriculture, heritage, and the arts.
The Minister of Agriculture strongly affirmed that such cultural preservation efforts can enhance sustainable rural development and national cultural identity. The initiative begins with comprehensive field research documenting agrarian practices and traditions across all eight divisions, including oral histories of elderly farmers, folk performers, and practitioners of seasonal rites.
High-quality audio-visual documentation and a bilingual digital archive will be created to preserve rare materials and make them accessible through an open online platform, while coordinated workshops, cultural camps, and curricular support aim to foster intergenerational transmission.
The programme will culminate in divisional ‘National Agricultural Culture Festivals,’ and revive Nobanno and other crop harvest celebrations through folk music, dances, and agricultural heritage-inspired performances. The initiative seeks not only to safeguard rural traditions but also to promote cultural tourism, strengthen community cohesion, and elevate the country’s agrarian cultural legacy on both national and international stages.
“Rather than seeing these traditions as relics of the past, we view them as a living opportunity to reclaim and celebrate Bangladesh’s cultural space,” said Prof Shaheen and adding, “This programme is currently being considered for implementation, and by highlighting the unique songs, dances, rituals, and performance practices of each region, it will reconnect communities with their heritage, foster pride in local identity, and ensure that these expressions remain vibrant for future generations. Immediate action is crucial to safeguard these traditions before they fade from memory.”
