The village fair is the annual joyous gathering of the village people. The village fair on the first Baishakh is almost common in Bangladesh. It is also held on some days according to the local importance. It generally sits in an open field or on the yard of a holy place. It sits for a day only. Sometimes it lasts for two days or a week also.
The village fair is an important part of our culture. It is a day of joy and rest for the villagers. People of all walks of life attend the fair joyfully and the fair takes a festive look. Last year I had an opportunity to visit a village fair which was very much enjoyable.
The fair was held on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bengali year. Temporary sheds were set up. Shops and stalls sat in rows. Fancy goods, cosmetics, sweetmeats, toys, flutes, kites were available in village fairs. Beautiful earthen wares, bamboo and wooden furniture were also available there.
There was a large crowd of children, girls, women and men in the village fair. Children were buying toys, flutes, kites and balloons. The girls and women crowded in the stalls of churis, ribbons and cosmetics. There was also great rush in the shops of sweetmeats. The village fair had its special attractions, too. Jatra parties, circus, magic, puppet shows and nagar dolas were arranged. Lathikhela, horse and bullock races were also held there.
I bought some earthen vases for my younger sister. The village fair was not free from evils. I saw some simple villagers losing all their savings in gambling.
After all, the village fair is a good annual recreation for the village people. It was not an exception too. The colour and joys of the village fair were wonderful. It will remain ever fresh in my mind.
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