February means festivals at Dhaka University which is the largest and leading university in Bangladesh. Across the entire country Bangladeshi youthfullness is annually rejuvenated by the round of festivals and celebratory occasions in the month of February. At Dhaka University the revelry started with Swaraswati Puja, on 7th February, then the Spring Festival and Valentine’s Day came next, on the 13th and 14th of that month. The 21st has been observed as a commemorative event over many years to pay tribute to martyred heroes of the Language Movement. Besides these vividly played out celebration days, book-lovers, intellectuals and writers ardently greeted with delight the ‘Ekushe Book Fair’, taking place over the whole February.
By Aziza Hena*
The happy presence of young women adorned with flowers is an ordinary occurrence during festivals and special occasions in Bangladesh. However, it gets even more show in February through a flourishing flower-business as seen on Dhaka University campus. The largest flower market of Dhaka is located at the Shahabag area, and just near the campus is a bargaining venue for flowers of local and foreign origin.
The flower-vendors and retailers continuously hustle during February and no doubt, the female buyers make up the lion’s share of flower sales. They either purchase flowers themselves or are presented same by beloved ones.
Locally cultivated flowers, like different types of roses, marigold, tuberose, zinnia, shiuli (a jasmine), bakul etc., are eagerly sought by all women. Also, flower-beaded jewelry in the form of necklaces, earrings, head-rings, and bracelets sell very well at these festivities of February. Besides the local flora, flowers of foreign origin are not seconded in comparison to the local types. Orchids, gerbera, carnations, spider mums, lilies, tulips, gladiolus all have their place in jewellery, though being more pricey.
Bangladeshi women as cultural figures are tasked to portray the ideal of femininity by wearing the very feminine sari. Important because the practice of wearing sari as daily apparel is declining day by day. Young women in particular wear sari at festivals and on national occasions. In Dhaka, young female students of Dhaka University and outsiders in that campus are commonly seen in sari during the February-fests.
Flowers add to the adornments, with the sari and the religious or tributary offerings of the period. During Saraswati Puja – which is the worship of the goddess Saraswati – the believing Hindu students seek blessings from that deity of wisdom and learning. The worshiping includes offering flowers at the feet of goddess Saraswati.
In residential halls for female students of Dhaka University, preference goes to red roses though marigold chains are common in worshipping. On campus the Kuwait Maitree Hall, the Begum Fazilatunnnesa Mujib Hall, Rokeya Hall and Samsunnahar Hall all get prettily decorated with flower under canopies where female students eagerly wait to adore the sculptured form of goddess Saraswati – indeed a graceful female figure riding on a swan or peacock and set upon a lotus flower.
Embracing Spring is also splendidly colourful on Dhaka University campus. There is a performance locally termed ‘Basanta Baran’. This is where the Basanta Utsav (Spring Festival) generally starts up on the first day of Falgun (11th month in the Bengali calendar). The Spring Festival is the very occasion to internalize the beauty and fragrance of flowers as they are found at every nook and corner of the Dhaka University grounds.
Orange, yellow and green are the colours dominantly dressing the female figure. In fact, floral rings on the young ladies’ heads is the outstanding feature of Basanta Utsav. Women even purchase a head-ring costing two or three times more than in other seasons. This year, young women have not thought twice about spending 350 taka (US$5) to have a head-ring despite that double price. The passion for rolling up the hands with marigold bangles has becomes a trend and delights everyone.
Valentine’s Day has great appeal to youthful groups in Bangladesh. Seeing that the day for lovers has came into play this year just after Pahela Falgun, Dhaka University campus did not rest for two long days. Red sari enhanced the beauty of those young ladies who preferred to have a single rose or a bunch of red roses, from their valentines, as always. The flower vendors of Shahabag said that spider mum was the second choice of Valentines after red roses, intending to please their lady of choice.
The scene on February 21 took on a different pattern as the offering of flowers was in the spotlight instead of just adornment. The day, as mentioned, has also been a commemorated one to relive the memory of those sons of the soil who sacrificed their lives to safeguard our mother tongue.
The selflessness of our martyrs for a national cause has kept our bare-footed nation together by paying homage at the Shaheed Minar – the standing monument for remembrance of martyrs of the language movement of 1952.
Ornamentation with flowers on that day February 21 is not done, however, respectful women may hold a white tube rose in the hand or as part of a chignon to match with a black and white sari. Like in previous years, this February 21 also seen flower-trading mostly by female buyers of various age groups on Dhaka University campus.
Flowers in bouquets, garlands and wreath-shapes were used to help decorate the premises around the Shaheed Minar. The ‘Ekushe Book Fair 2014’ also was the site of a lively trading of flowers and books side by side. Since Bangla Academy, the regular venue of the book fair, received an extension into the nearby Suhrawardy Park in this current year, assorted goods including flowers drew the attention of visitors. Especially, red roses and gladiolus, that have became popular with female readers as offerings to their favourite authors.
In a busy-scheduled life, February is a relieving time for festival-hooked Bangladeshis, and particularly the womenfolk. February fests get a trendy uplift with flowers as a means for more charming celebrations and the ways of celebration with flowers are nurtured as a cultural preserve by Bangladesh woman. Dhaka University campus annually demonstrates this fact with a wonderful display and indeed, a special grandeur.
*Aziza Hena is a Master of Social Science student of the Department of Women and Gender Studies at the University of Dhaka.
