10-day National Pitha Festival begins at Shilpakala Academy

The Pitha Festival being inaugurated on Thursday 30 January 2025

Dhaka, Jan 30 – The 18th National Pitha Festival, one of the flagship winter festivities in the country, began Thursday at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA).

Celebrating Bangladesh’s rich culinary and cultural heritage, the festival is being organised by the National Pitha Festival Celebration Council, in collaboration with Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, and sponsored by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

The 10-day event will continue daily from 3 pm to 9 pm until February 8 at BSA premises.

On Thursday, the festival was inaugurated at 5 pm by Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki as the chief guest. Dr Syed Jamil Ahmed, Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, presided over the opening ceremony. 

The event featured prominent personalities, including Ekushey Padak recipient and renowned dance artist Amanul Haque, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation Kamal Bayezid; cultural activists Zakir Hossain Rokon and Liakat Ali from the JASAS Central Committee, and spokesperson for the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement Umama Fatema.

BSA Secretary Mohammad Warez Hossain also delivered remarks while Khandaker Shah Alam, Member Secretary of the National Pitha Festival Celebration Council 1431, served as the host of the event.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mostafa Sarwar Farooki emphasised the role of cultural festivals in shaping a nation’s identity. “Across Bangladesh, we are witnessing a surge in festivals, be it Pitha festivals, Baul music, rock, rap, theatre, or film events—all organised by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy; and these initiatives showcase our culture, breaking stereotypes and demonstrating the richness of our heritage. Pitha, an integral part of our tradition, holds the power to bring people together and share our cultural narrative on a broader scale.”

Dr Syed Jamil Ahmed highlighted the importance of making cultural programs more accessible. “Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy is committed to promoting people-centric practices. Instead of limiting discussions within closed seminar halls, we are bringing cultural activities to open spaces to connect with the public, and this Pitha Festival is a prime example of such efforts.”

The BSA DG also reflected on the evolution of cultural traditions, citing how celebrations like Pahela Baishakh and Mangal Shobhajatra have transitioned from rural origins to citywide phenomena. “Similarly, this Pitha Festival, rooted in the rural practice of celebrating the harvest with traditional cakes, has become an urban tradition, signifying the creation of a new cultural heritage, which is now spreading across the country and beyond.”

The festival will feature a vibrant cultural program each day from 4 pm onwards, including drama, recitations, dance, and musical performances. Visitors can indulge in a variety of traditional pithas, reflecting the diverse culinary artistry of Bangladesh.

The 18th National Pitha Festival aims to celebrate and preserve the country’s rich cultural and gastronomic traditions, inviting everyone to join this joyful journey until February 8. - UNB