Symbolism and Cultural Pluralism in Bangladeshi Folk Art: Imaginaries and Expressions of Nationhood

Abstract

This study investigates how Bangladeshi folk art contributes to the construction of national identity and reflects the nation’s cultural pluralism. While folk art has been extensively studied for its aesthetic and symbolic elements, its role in negotiating religious and ethnic diversity within the context of nationhood remains underexplored. This research fills the gap by analyzing a range of folk-art forms, including Patachitra scroll paintings, Nakshi Kantha embroidery, and rickshaw paintings, and their engagement with pluralistic national narratives. Through ethnographic fieldwork, semiotic analysis, and interviews with artists, the study examines how these arts forms mediate interfaith dialogue, gendered cultural preservation, and the negotiation of urban-rural identities. The findings reveal that folk art, far from being a static tradition, is a dynamic and evolving practice that adapts to social, political, and cultural shifts in contemporary Bangladesh. Key results indicate that these art forms actively promote social cohesion and of a unified national identity by celebrating cultural diversity. This paper contributes to the growing field of cultural studies by demonstrating that folk art is not only a cultural artifact but also a vital tool in negotiating Bangladesh’s pluralistic identity, offering new insights into the intersection of art, culture, and nationhood.