By Khadija Akter Lita from Netrokona

On the occasion of Pahela Baishakh, a vibrant festival displaying clay toys and rural cultural heritage was held in Kumarpara of Amtala Union under Netrokona Sadar Upazila. The festival was organized by the ‘Amtala Kumar Nari Sangathan’ and the ‘Sabuj Sanghati Team’ with facilitating support from BARCIK. The event featured a “Clay Toy Festival”, “Traditional Rural Games”, and a village discussion titled “Agroecology and Folk Culture”.

The event was escorted by journalist Mirza Hriday Sagar, BARCIK’s associate coordinators Shankar Mrong and Tanvir Hayat Khan, the president of the Committee for the Protection of Education, Culture, and Environment, Assistant Professor Nazmul Kabir Sarkar, teacher Subhash Pal, members of the Krishnapal organization, and over a hundred men, women, and children from the community.

The speakers at the event expressed concern that traditional pottery and earthen crafts are on the verge of extinction due to the wave of modernization. They mentioned that once, Kumar families were deeply engaged in producing household items such as clay pots, showpieces, flower vases, dolls, toys, and other necessities. However, these crafts are now declining due to the scarcity of clay, the rise of plastic products, and the increasing shift toward urban lifestyles.

Teacher Subhash Pal said, “This festival is an effort to preserve our folk culture. This year, 78 types of clay items were displayed at the fair, which are not only symbols of tradition but also environment friendly.”

Journalist Tanvir Hayat Khan said, “The expansion of technology is threatening rural culture. Plastic toys are replacing clay ones, leading to reduced interest in the traditional crafts of the Kumar community.”

At the end of the event, prizes were distributed among the participants. Organizers stated that such initiatives will continue in the future to promote rural folk traditions among the younger generation.