Pitha Utsab held in the city

Bangladesh has its rich cultural heritage in different festivals. ‘Pitha Utsab’ is that type of arrangement where pithas are presented in a festive mood. There are various types of pithas in different areas in the country. These represent its regional cultural aspects and tradition.

A two-day long ‘Pitha Utsab’ was held in the capital on January 18 and 19. Like every year, Nari Grantha Prabartana organised the festival for the 6th times at its third floor at Sir Syed Road in Mohammadpur in the city.

National Award winner on ‘Pitha Making’ Shamsunnahar Khatun from Kishoregonj inaugurated the festival where M Saidur, writer on ‘Jamdani Shilpa’ was also present as special guest.

More than 50 types of winter pithas made of molasses and rice husked by ‘Dhenki’ (indigenous tool) were exhibited and sold at 13 stalls on the occasion.

Meanwhile, discussions, songs, story-telling, jokes, musical soirees on pitha were also arranged during the festival.

All the pithas those were exhibited during the festival were home made. There are variations in name of every pithas.

Names of the stalls in the festival remind the story of ‘Tuntuni’ s eating pithas’. Such as Moyna, Tia, Doyel, Koyel, Shama, Tuntuni, Bou Katha Kau, Machranga, Chandana, Kokil, Charui, Kakatua.

There were also variations in name of each pithas. Such as Jamai Pitha, Dudh Khejur, Phulpata, Gurer Payesh, Shai Puli, Nakshi Pitha, Anarash Pitha, Golap Phul Pitha, Labanga Latika, Pati Sapta, Hridoy Horon Pitha, Phul Pitha, Dudh Puli, Khejur Pitha, Patisapta Pitha, Mugh Pakon, Poa Pitha, Chandra Puli, Chainna Pitha, Ras Gaza, Dhupi Pitha, Khasta Pakan, Bibikhana Pitha, Taler Pitha, Sundari Pakan, Hat Semai, biscuit Pitha, Bhapa Pitha, Banshpata Pitha, Angti Pitha, Sagu Pitha, Dudh Pital, Kathal Pata Pitha, Hatjhara Pitha with meat of duck, Swandesh of coconut, Dudh Chitai, Jhal Pitha, Teler Pitha, Mash Pitha, Golup Pitha, Chirar Naru, Sabji Pitha, Deem Chitai Pitha, Mera Pitha, Shamuk Pitha, Pitha of Dhon-e-pata, Bibikhana Pitha, Siddha Kuli, Kishmish Pitha and many more.

Therefore many traditional pithas of different parts of the country were also exhibited in the festival.

Ferdous Akhter Lily, a schoolteacher, said the processes of hand-made pithas are losing day by day. For this reason, this type of arrangement would help to create encourage among the people which is very important for the survival of the Bangali tradition.

Production cost of the pithas is increasing. Insufficient pitha making ingredients are increasing so that general people could not able to make these types of pithas for every time, she added.

She also added that every pithas represent its local culture. Bash Pitha of Chandpur district is familiar in the marriage ceremony. Chainna Pitha of Noakhali and Jamai pitha of Comilla represents its local tradition.

High price rate of ingredients of pithas discourages the people to grow interest among them to make these. For this reason, these pithas are losing. These are now found only in the occasion that is held once or twice in year.

Mahmuda Khatun Shewly, Nari Grantha Prabartana, said aim of the festival is to revive our cultural heritage and represent to all class of people especially children who are living the city and do not able to see or taste these pithas.

Nari Grantha Prabartana believes in ‘Safe Food’. To create awareness among the people Prabartana is interested to give its full support. Prabartan try every time to motivate this kind of traditional heritage to represent not only local people but also different parts of the world. This kind of festival would help to survive our local pithas to represent all class of people, Shewly added.

She also added that participants in the festival are those who are regularly attending in the weekly discussion of Monday’s meet organised by Nari Grantha Prabartana.

This type of arrangement is very necessary for the survival of the pithas of our country, which are going to lose its own character. For this reason, everybody should come forward to revive these for own survival.