One of the country’s well-preserved ethnicity is the Bangladeshi’s cultural dance. The country’s cultural dances are common to the Middle Eastern dances. These cultural dances are associated with weddings and certain activities like harvesting, planting, fishing and others which mirrors the Bangladeshi’s way of life.

There are many cultural dances in Bangladesh, and each occasion has requires a specific dances. Here are some of the cultural dances of Bangladesh:

• Chhau dance – which is a form of masked dance performed in the western regions of Bengal. It is a martial arts dance wherein the dancers wear attires together with swords and shields. Each dancers portray different characteristics and roles such as gods, demons and animals. It is more like a dance role playing. Chhau dance can be performed during any occasions.

• Chhokra dance – performed by young Bangladeshi boys portraying the roles of women. The dance is presented in an open field preferably in a canopied stage. The Chhoka dance is accompanied by a large team of singers and musicians who are commonly seated on the sides of the stage.

• Lathi dance – is a stick dance performed during the Muharram celebration which is the “Sacred month” of the Islam. This is celebrated during the fist month of the Hegira or the Islamic calendar. This dance is performed by youth groups that wear tight-fitted clothes and carry daggers, swords and cymbals.

• Kali dance – performed by a dancer wearing a black mask and representing the character of the goddess Kali who is a Hindu goddess which is said to be associated with eternal powers. Kali is known to be the goddess of time and change. The drum is the main instrument being played during the Kali dance.

• Ghatu dance – performed with accompanying Ghatu songs which are Bangladesh native folk songs. The name Ghatu was derived if the name Ghat which means ‘river bank’. The Ghatu dance was mainly for entertainment and is not a religious dance. This is a form of dance performed by young boys dressed like girls which are the main attraction of the dance.

There are other numerous cultural dances in Bangladesh. These dances each are very entertaining and fun to watch. Dances are still being performed these days, which is one of the main attractions in Bangladesh.

Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts – located in an attractive residential building in the suburbs of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The art gallery is truly beautiful inside and out. It has an amazing garden right outside the building, and a beautiful and artistically designed interior. The building’s spectacular beauty can be viewed the by guests right after they enter the gallery. Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts is the home of the country’s valued art designs and art pieces. The gallery was officially opened to the public in 2000, and has become the leading gallery of Fine Arts ever since. Bengal gallery has already organized many exhibitions and has showcased the works of almost 300 artists both local and abroad. The gallery has been a regular showroom for artworks of Bangladeshi artists.

National Art Gallery – this gallery was built in 1974. It is located inside the Shilpaka Academy in Dhaka. The gallery is a two story building, which consists of a number of exhibition halls and work shops. These work shops are being used today for educational purposes such as lectures and practical working. The National Art Gallery is the country’s true historical treasure. It holds the most precious and valuable historical materials of Bangladesh.

Saju Art Gallery – located in Gulshan suburbs of Dhaka. For more than three decades, the gallery has been a favorite of artists to display and exhibit their artworks. Tha Saju Art gallery is owned by Ramiz Ahmed Chowdhury Saju, who is now a well respected personality among artists, art dealers and the critics. The Saju Art Gallery is best visited any time of the year.

Drik Gallery – a very well-known establishment in Bangladesh for its stylish layout and its beautiful exhibited artworks. Thousands of visitors come here each year to witness different art displays. The gallery is much dedicated to photography and also other arts like painting and sculpture. Drik Gallery also opens various workshops throughout the year prior to the subject of the exhibit.

Chitrak Gallery – located in Dhanmondi, a residential area in Dhaka. Different art exhibitions with different themes are held here, consequently so the visitors can always have something new. There are also various events that the gallery organizes such as charitable events where they promote to earn funds for schools and to earn money for feeding programs.