Bangla Language -Bangla is the easternmost language belonging to the Indo-European language family, next to Assamese. It is flanked by various Austric and Sino-Tibetan languages.

For old Bangla, the only record is Charjapad discovered from a palace in Nepal.

Bangla is perhaps the only language on the basis of which an independent state (Bangladesh) was created. The Constitution of Bangladesh, adopted in 1972, stipulates, “The language of the Republic would be Bangla”. 

Presently, Bangla speaking population across the world numbers around 230 million, making it the seventh language after Chinese, English, Hindi-Urdu, Spanish, Arabic and Portugese. 

Bangla Alphabet

There are eleven vowels in Bangla with seven sounds – long and short. With the exception of the first vowel, they all change their shape when used with a consonant. As for consonants, there are 39 characters which, however, number no more than 29 sounds.

Language Movement Rally in Dhaka University in 1952

Language Movement – constitutes one of the most glorious chapters in the history of Bangladesh. The cultural struggle triggered off by the Language Movement gradually turned into a political struggle that culminated in the creation of independent Bangladesh in 1971. The Language Movement spanning almost a decade (1948 – 1956) reached its climax in the martyrdom of 21 February 1952 at the Dhaka University campus.

Shaheed Minar – a monument located at the heart of Dhaka city was built in memory of the martyrs of the Language Movement. The monument was demolished during the War of Liberation in 1971 and was rebuilt in 1972 in an independent Bangladesh. The Shaheed Minar has become a core symbol of national unity and the hallmark of the linguistic and cultural heritage of Bangladesh. The replica of the Shaheed Minar has been erected in other countries around the world.

Bangla Academy – founded on 3 December 1955 Bangla Academy was the outcome of the Language Movement. It plays a significant role in the development and modernization of Bangla language. Bangla Academy is the biggest publishing house of the country. The annual book fair held at the Academy premises in February has become one of the most important literary and cultural events of Bangladesh. 

International Mother Language Day on 21 February was introduced by UNESCO to underline the importance of preserving all vernacular languages in the world. It was indeed an appreciation and recognition of the unprecedented sacrifice made by the martyrs of the Language Movement of 1952.

Baul Songs of Bangladesh have recently been declared as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. The Bauls are mystic minstrels living in rural Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. Bauls are admired for the spiritual depth of their music and poetry. They travel from village to village singing to the accompaniment of the ektara, a simple one-stringed instrument.