THAKURGAON — A two-day Charak fair and handicraft exhibition held at the Shiva temple grounds in Faraibari village of Akcha union in Thakurgaon Sadar upazila drew thousands of visitors, organizers said, reviving rural traditions and folk culture in celebration of the Bengali New Year.
The event, which began Monday afternoon, April 27, transformed the Faraibari area into a festive crowd. The main attraction was the bamboo and paper artwork created by local village artisans — replicas of elephants, helicopters, boats, palanquins, cattle, giraffes, fish and other animals and vehicles. Many of the works were operated by hand, giving visitors an interactive experience that added to the festive spirit.
From children to people of all ages, the entire fairground turned into a vast celebration. Visitors traveled from distant areas to take part in the Charak fair.
Manash Chandra, a visitor, said he was deeply moved and delighted by the event. “Seeing so many people gathered and the extraordinary handicrafts made from paper and bamboo has filled my heart. It is hard to believe such traditional rural Bengali events still survive in such a beautiful form unless you see it with your own eyes. Every piece of artwork carries the artists’ hard work, creativity and love. I am very happy to spend time with my family in such a festive atmosphere.”
Priyanka Roy said the fair was truly exceptional. “Initiatives that present rural Bengali traditions in a new way are rare. The various handicrafts made from paper and bamboo — elephants, boats, palanquins, animals and vehicles — are all created with great precision and creativity. I was genuinely impressed by these handmade works, and by the festive atmosphere across the entire fairground.”
Mir Jahid, a district BNP member, said: “We have been attending this Charak Puja fair since childhood. It is a long-standing tradition in our area that has grown and become more popular over time. People come from far away just for this fair. Seeing the bamboo and paper replicas of elephants, boats, palanquins, cattle, animals and vehicles, the entire area turns into a sea of people. This festive atmosphere adds a different dimension to rural life.”
Santosh Roy Balu, a local Union Parishad member, said the event is more than a fair. “It is a living reflection of our culture. Rural Bengali traditions, religious sentiment and folk art are blended here. The paper and bamboo crafts and the spontaneous participation of people have made this event even more lively. Such events are not just entertainment — they are an important effort to preserve our history, traditions and culture.”
Babu Chandra Barman, the fair committee president, said: “We organize this Charak Puja and handicraft fair every year for the Bengali New Year. It is a long-standing tradition that brings together rural Bengali folk culture and religious rituals. This year was the 105th edition.”
The main goal, he said, is to preserve the disappearing traditions of rural Bengal and pass them on to the next generation, while creating a festive and joyful environment where everyone can come together to enjoy the culture.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report