Cultural Information of Bangladesh

MUSIC & SONGS
The musical instruments one will see or hear in Bangladesh include the bamboo flute, the tabla (a set of two percussion drums) and a wide variety of stringed instruments from the crude banjo like village 'ek-tara' (one stringed), 'do-tara' (two stringed) and to the highly refined multi stringed 'Sitar' and 'Sarode' used for classical music. Violins are also used and electric as well as ordinary guitars are played. The 'Tanpura' is used for the drone accompaniment in classical music. Harmonium is popular as an accompaniment in vocal performances.
Living in the land of torrential rains, mighty rivers and lush green beauty, the average Bangladeshi has a deep relationship with nature. The music of Bangladesh is therefore emotional, ecstatic and romantic. Among the genres sung or performed quite regularly are :
Classical songs and music Semi-classical songs and music Palli Geeti or folk songs Rabindra Sangeet (songs by Rabindranath Tagore, the 1913 Nobel Prize winner in Literature) Nazrul Geeti (songs by the Rebel poet of Bangaladesh). Religious songs Adhunik Gaaan or modern Bangla songs Gano Sangeet or inspirational songs for the masses Pop Songs Bhatiali or boatmen's songs Bhawaia or bullock cart drivers song Band music or rock music

DANCE
The tradition of dance in Bangladesh is an old one. The classical dance forms have mostly been taken from North and South Indian schools, while influences of middle eastern dance is also noticeable in local dance forms. The indigenous and folk dance traditions are practiced widely and reflect the rich culture and history of Bangladesh. Many ethnic gorups have their own, distinct dance that are distinguished by grace and charm. For the santals and the hill people of Chittagong hill tracts are also have many attractive dance forms that quite popular with the people.

ART AND CULTURAL CENTERS

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Alliance Francaise De Dhaka 26, Mirpur Road , Dhanmondi Dhaka , Tel: 8611557 Fax: 8616462, Email: infoad@afdacca.com		Bangla Academy Dhaka University Area, Dhaka Tel: 8619577, 8619583 Fax: 8612352, Email: bacademy@citechco.net
Bangladesh Shishu Academy Old High Court Road (Opp. Carzon Hall), Dhaka- 1000 Tel: 9550317, 9564128		British Council 5, Fuller Road , Dhaka Tel: 8618905-7, 8618867-8 Fax: 8613375, Email:britcoun@thebritishcouncil.net
Bulbul Lalitkala Academy 7, Wise Ghat, Dhaka- 1100 Tel: 7391838		German Cultural Center House 10, Road 9 Dhanmondi, Dhaka Tel: 9126525, 9126526 Fax: 8110712
Indian Cultural Center H-25, Road-96, Gulshan-2 Dhaka-1212 Tel: 8850141, Fax: 8850142		Nazrul Institute House 330B, Road 28(Old) Dhanmondi, Dhaka Tel: 9114500, Fax: 9118051 Email: nazrulin@citecho.net
The Russian Centre of Science & Culture House-510, Road-7 Dhanmondi, Dhaka Tel: 9118531 Fax: 8113026, Email: roscult@accesstel.net