The cultural divide

April 14 was the Bangla new year - called the Pohela Boishak (or the first day of the Boishak month). Rather than ringing it in at midnight, or celebrating with parties, the local tradition is to greet the rising sun with songs. So, many thousands of people gather together to sing at 5:30 am. I did not make it then. But, I did participate in the festivities later in the day. It is important to wear red and white, and to show your national pride. This is done with the "onusthan". Offices, schools, and all kinds of groups put together cultural programs.


I went to one such program at a school. It was cute, - small children singing and dancing and such...but often, the over eager (and probably repressed) mothers took over - hogging the mic for all of the songs, and, as seen below, even getting up on the stage uninvited. This shocking video, taken by yours truly, shows the modern dance teacher at this school, giving a performance as a promotion for his new classes. The person sitting next to me thought the performance was beautiful.

This is also my first You Tube post, and it is very exciting to be so technological!



For more stories about the cultural divide, you'll have to buy me a beer and ask for entertainment.