Culture embodies the shared customs, beliefs, arts, and social institutions of a society, shaped by

history and collective experiences. Bangladeshi culture, rich and diverse, is characterized by its
deep-rooted traditions, colorful festivals, varied cuisine, and a fusion of music and literature,
reflecting the country's history and the lifestyle of its people. It's a vibrant mosaic of communal
harmony and artistic expression. The "English for Today" textbook for classes 9–10 in
Bangladesh offers a comprehensive exploration of the nation's culture, a complex tapestry of
shared values, traditions, beliefs, and social behavior that define a group of people.

While studying the English for Today classes 9–10 book, I observed some courses that had a
direct impact on the culture and art of Bangladesh. Undoubtedly, history holds significant
significance within the realm of culture. The initial section of the book focuses exclusively on
the biographical account of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the revered figure considered
the father of the nation. This portrayal holds great importance in capturing the essence of
Bangladeshi culture. It is also a component of the political perspective. The first unit also
exhibits the manifestation of the spirit of the liberation war.

The second unit focuses on the topic of Pastime, which explores the significant aspect of society
that has arisen, namely sports. Although the discussion here focuses on the Olympic Games, it
does not include any discussion of games that are exclusive to Bangladesh. Bangladeshis exhibit
great enthusiasm for cricket and football, as well as traditional sports such as Nouka Baich, Boli
Khela, and Lathi Khela. Since 2000, the national team, known as the Tigers, has been included
among the prestigious Test cricket nations. Live sporting events, like victory parades, attract
substantial audiences to stadiums, while traditional sports like Nouka Baich and Kho Kho also
enjoy significant popularity. There is a lack of Bengali sports representation here, but an element
of the global game becomes evident. On one hand, it exerts a significant influence on students,
fostering their engagement in international sports.

The third unit focuses on Bangladeshi events and festivals, including notable occasions such as
Mother's Day, May Day, International Mother Language Day, Independence Day, and Pohela
Boishakh. However, it is widely acknowledged that Bangladeshi culture encompasses a
multitude of additional holidays and events. Irrespective of their religious beliefs, individuals
commemorate several cultural festivals in winter, such as Pohela Falgun, triumph Day, Nobanno,
Pitha Utshob, Poush Songkranti, and Chaitro Sankranti, which all take place on the final day of
the Bangla month of Shakhrain. The Muslim festivals include Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha, Milad un-
Nabi, Muharram, Chand Raat, Shab-e-Barat, and Bishwa Ijtema. The Hindu festivals consist of
Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Basant Panchami, Rath Yatra, Holi, and Janmashtami. The Buddhist
festivals are Buddha Purnima and Maghi Purnima. The Christian festivals are Christmas and
Easter. Additionally, there are secular festivals such as Pohela Boishakh, Pohela Falgun,
Shakrain, Borsha Mongol, and Nabanna. However, only a limited selection of festival figures
was addressed, rather than the entirety of them.

Unit Six focuses exclusively on our adjacent county. This course provides a concise overview of
the countries of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, focusing on their respective cultures
and heritages. Additionally, they deliberated on the tour packages offered by these countries,
which exert an impact on students, both positive and negative. Bangladesh boasts exquisite
destinations that offer our students the opportunity to explore and gain insights into their rich
cultural and historical history.

Unit seven focuses on renowned individuals from throughout the globe. The Bangladeshi
representatives include Zainul Abedin, renowned for his exceptional paintings characterised by
their exorbitant quality, and Partha Pratim Mojumder, a masterful performer in the art of miming.
Furthermore, it exemplifies the portrayal of Bengali culture.

Unit Eight focuses on the topic of world heritage. Bangladesh now boasts three designated World
Heritage Sites, with an additional five sites being considered for inclusion on the tentative list.
The Bagerhat Mosque City and Paharpur Buddhist Vihara Ruins were the initial two sites that
were identified in 1985. Both are cultural places. The Sundarbans, in its natural state, were added
to the list of sites in 1997. The book has only two items. Heritage holds great significance in
culture as it safeguards and conveys the shared identity, values, traditions, and history of a
community from one generation to another, promoting a sense of belonging and uninterrupted
existence. This unit focuses on the exploration of Bagerhat Mosque City and Paharpur Buddhist
Vihara.

Unit Fourteen focuses on literature and features renowned poems and dramas from English
literature, including works by Eleanor Farjeon, Joann Snow Duncanson, Charles Kingsley, Ralph
Hodgson, and excerpts from William Shakespeare's famous play, The Merchant of Venice.
Within the realm of literature, this book exclusively centres around English literature. However,
it is worth noting that Bangla literature boasts a vibrant practice of translating literary works into
English, enabling a wider audience to embrace the multifaceted nature of Bengali narrative.
Some notable works are "Pather Panchali" by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay, "Shesh Prashna"
by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, "Hajar Churashir Maa" by Mahasweta Devi, "Tithidore" by
Buddhadeva Bose, "Pratham Pratisruti" by Ashnapurna Debi, and "Sei Samay" by Sunil
Gangopadhyay. Prominent individuals in Bangladeshi English literature comprise Raja Ram
Mohan Roy, Rabindranath Tagore, Michael Madhusudan Dutt, and Toru Dutt. These individuals
played a significant role in advancing the use of English as a language of instruction in Bengal.
 Bangladeshi
Culture ;
0.2644; 13%

other cultures;
0.3218; 16%

others; 1.4;
70%

Bangladeshi Culture other cultures others

Usages of photographs depicting the cultural representation of Bangladesh

Among the 87 images, 23 of them, which is equivalent to 26.44% of the collection, clearly depict
the cultural representation of Bangladesh. Meanwhile, 28 photos, which make up 32.18% of the
total, depict cultures that are not Bangladeshi. The remaining photos, comprising 41.38% of the
total, portray subjects that are not related to cultural representation. This dataset showcases a
wide range of topics found in the collection, providing readers with a comprehensive glimpse of
the cultural abundance of Bangladesh and its global links.
Although there are some significant gaps, the English for Today textbook for Bangladesh's
classes 9–10 offers a thorough understanding of many facets of Bangladeshi culture and history.
The nation's political and historical foundations are emphasized by starting with Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a key historical figure, and the spirit of the liberation struggle.
Although it mentions international sports like the Olympics, it ignores local sports like football,
cricket, Nouka Baich, and other games that are essential to Bangladeshi culture. The book
presents a condensed view of the wide range of Bangladeshi festivals, highlighting a small
number while omitting many others that other ethnic and religious groups observe. The book's
examination of the traditions and cultural heritage of the surrounding countries promotes a
deeper understanding of the area. Showcasing international personalities, such as well-known
artists from Bangladesh, emphasises the nation's contribution to global culture. Additionally,
despite being sparse, the conversation on English literature and world heritage sites in
Bangladesh demonstrates the country's rich literary history and involvement with international
literary traditions. All in all, the book paints a complex but imperfect portrait of Bangladesh's
multifaceted cultural landscape.

The "English for Today" textbook represents Bangladeshi culture in English language training,
according to this study. Even though it incorporates culture, numerous areas need growth. The
textbook beautifully highlights Bangladesh's history, politics, and cultural contributions. The
variety of regional sports, festivities, and Bangladeshi culture is not fully captured. Bangladeshi
culture is underrepresented in the textbook. Community sports and cultural festivities, especially
those of different races and religions, are underrepresented. Exclusion stops students from
comprehending culture. In the textbook, which also covers international personalities and
explores adjacent cultures, Bangladesh's cultural identity and literary achievements may be
promoted even more. To effectively educate students, the "English for Today" textbook should
depict local and global cultures more fairly. Thus, students would gain a global perspective and a
greater understanding for Bangladesh's rich cultural heritage. Improved cultural information in
the textbook will help Bangladeshi students connect with their heritage and learn about global
culture, preparing them for a multicultural and interconnected society.