This image was taken during my fieldwork on the Shakrain Festival in Old Dhaka, Bangladesh, as part of a UNESCO project documenting and safeguarding Bangladesh’s intangible cultural heritage. Shakrain..
This image was taken during my fieldwork on the Shakrain Festival in Old Dhaka, Bangladesh, as part of a UNESCO project documenting and safeguarding Bangladesh’s intangible cultural heritage. Shakrain Festival marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring, and it brings people together through colorful kites, rooftop gatherings, music, and traditional foods. During my fieldwork, I observed how the festival has changed over time. Older residents recalled that Shakrain used to focus mostly on kite flying and close neighborhood bonding. In contrast, today’s celebrations include fire-breathing performances, flying lanterns, DJs, and laser lighting. These new urban additions attract younger audiences and keep the festival relevant. The image shows a fire-breathing performer on a rooftop. It captures the energy of today’s Shakrain but also raises questions about cultural change. My research investigated how these new practices reshape the meaning of the festival and how cultural heritage responds to rapid urban modernization.
