যশোরের চারু ও কারুশিল্প এবং প্রবাদ-প্রবচন
ড. সৈয়দ হাদিউজ্জামান
সহযোগী অধ্যাপক, ইসলামের ইতিহাস ও সংস্কৃতি বিভাগ, জাতীয় বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়, বাংলাদেশ।

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59815/isp.vol4305

Abstract: Folk culture forms an integral part of Bangladesh’s rich cultural heritage, representing the creative spirit and identity of its people. Over generations, traditional arts and crafts have evolved through age-old folk practices, employing indigenous motifs that reflect the land, its environment, and its communities. These handicrafts, produced to fulfill religious, social, and aesthetic needs, embody both collective creativity and cultural continuity. The folk art of Jessore particularly illustrates the lifestyle, beliefs, and traditions of its rural population, while also expressing the emotions, aspirations, and artistry of rural women. As one of the historically and culturally significant districts in the south-western region of Bangladesh, Jessore holds an important place in Bengal’s socio-economic, religious, and artistic history. Its diverse traditions—patachitra, nakshi kantha, nakshi pakha, nakshi shika, bamboo and cane crafts, shola art, pottery, and terracotta—demonstrate distinctive regional characteristics. Equally important are Jessore’s folk sayings and proverbs, which encapsulate communal wisdom and moral values derived from lived experiences. These expressions remain prevalent, serving as vital elements of local oral literature. However, this traditional aesthetic excellence is increasingly endangered by modernization, urbanization, and industrialization. The present study seeks to examine the distinctive features, development, and transformation of Jessore’s folk arts, crafts, sayings, and proverbs, emphasizing their enduring cultural significance and the necessity of preservation in the face of changing socio-cultural realities.

Key Words: Jessore, Fine art, Handicraft, Folk saying and proverb, Tradition