Page 43 - GOTIL (ENG) Sample

Village Life in Bangladesh 11

the Muslim population of East Bengal was only slightly
greater than that of Hindus. Despite constant migration
from East Bengal to India since then, Bangladesh still
has a sizable Hindu population, the highest of any nation
other than India.

Historically Hindus in West Bengal have been more
inclined toward the śākta cult, but in Bangladesh almost
all Hindus follow Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s saṅkīrtana
movement, the Vaiṣṇava religion of worshiping Gaura-
Nitāi and Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa with mṛdaṅgas and karatālas.
Traditionally West Bengal has been known for fine culture,
East Bengal for folk culture. Although Dhaka, East Bengal’s
capital, was previously known for high culture, most of
the province was considered rustic. In Caitanya-bhāgavata
it is recorded that in His youth Caitanya Mahāprabhu
would joke with His friends about the accent of the East
Bengalis and would imitate it. Even today West Bengalis
tend to look down on East Bengalis as being somewhat
homespun and artless.

Bangladeshis are overall more respectful, hospitable,
friendly, and happy than their kinsfolk in West Bengal,
as is immediately noticeable when crossing the border.
Industrialization and urbanization as well as communism,
with its atheistic and rebellious overtones, have done
much to change the attitude of West Bengalis and erode
their highly developed original culture. Yet in Bangladesh
traditional culture is still the way of life. It has not yet been
engulfed by the worldwide cultural takeover initiated by
Western industries and mass media.