Jatiya Pitha Utsab begins at Shilpakala Academy

DE Online Report
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy lifted the curtain on Jatiya Pitha Utsab in 64 districts of the country on Wednesday.
The festival is featuring pithas from different regions of the country that have been passed down from generation to generation.
The BSA has organised an 11-day pitha festival on its premises in Dhaka and its 63 district branches have organised three-day festivals.
The festival is also featuring pitha-making competitions and cultural shows.
Cabinet secretary Mahbub Hossain was present as chief guest while cultural affairs secretary Khalil Ahmed was present as special guest and actor-director Ataur Rahman was present as guest of honour at the inaugural ceremony, which was held on the BSA premises and presided over by the BSA director general Liaquat Ali Lucky.
Khalil Ahmed said, ‘Rickshaw art has been inscribed on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage recently. We hope that traditional pithas will be inscribed on the list of intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in future.’
Mahbub Hossain said, ‘We have to promote pithas not only for tradition but also as food.’
Liaquat Ali Lucky said, ‘As a nation, we traditionally eat a lot of pithas and sweets. We are researching pithas unique to different parts of the country in this festival. The festival aims at promoting pithas as an Intangible Cultural Heritage and upholding the geographical indication of our local pithas.’
Besides, the inaugural ceremony comprised tricks with sticks, dance recitals and others.
The festival on the BSA premises is featuring over 50 stalls, including Puran Dhakaiya Pithaghar, Barishal Oitijjabahi Pithaghar, Kotalipara Pithaghar, Noor Nabin Barishal Pithaghar, Pithabari Faridpur, Jahanara Kitchen, Bhola Pithaghar and others.
The pitha stalls are displaying pithas popular in different regions of the country, including Barishal, Faridpur, Bikrampur, Noakhali, Narsingdi and others areas.
Jatiya Pitha Utsab will end at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on February 10.