Shakrain Festival in Old Dhaka is noteworthy among one of Bangladesh's ancient festivals. Though it is not celebrated throughout the whole country, it holds significant importance in Bangladeshi culture, symbolizing unity and friendship.
Shakrain Festival is basically the Bengali Poush Sankranti, also known as the Kite Festival. It marks the annual celebration of the winter season in Bangladesh, with the tradition of flying kites during the chilly months.
The Sanskrit word 'Sankranti' has been changed to 'Shakrain' in Dhaka's dialect. While Sankranti is celebrated across India on the last day of the Poush month, in old Dhaka, Shakrain or Poush Sankranti is a common festival.
Throughout the day, alongside flying kites, the evening sky over the bustling city by the Buriganga River is adorned with colorful fireworks and a variety of lanterns. While households engage in the tradition of arranging colorful competitions of pitha (traditional sweets) as part of the festivities.
Although it's a traditional festival of old Dhaka, locals claim that the Shakrain festival is not observed in its original vibrant and festive spirit nowadays. They allege that the festival is observed by a sense of cultural degradation and people now engaging in activities that deviate from the true essence of the event.
Many feel that instead of bringing joy, the observation has become a source of discomfort.
Throughout the night, loud music blaring from sound systems creates disturbance, affecting the sleep, study, and other activities of the local residents.
Jamal Ahmed, a resident of Old Dhaka states, "If someone wants to celebrate a festival, they can do it without causing any problem to us. However, the reason it becomes a source of distress for us is the shift from joy to discomfort during the festivities."
"During Sakrain, the festivities extend for several days, leading to extreme nuisance. It becomes even more perilous for our elderly. The unnatural revelry disrupts our sleep, reaching an intolerable level," complains a 70-year-old Subhas Das.
Environmentally conscious individuals advocate for banning the use of fireworks and lanterns during the festival, believing it would prevent harm to wildlife and the environment. They emphasize the importance of celebrating festivals without causing damage to the ecosystem.
