Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury spoke today at the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) session. Photo: Video Screenshot

SANGSAD BHABAN, June 10, 2026 (BSS) - The government has a plan to prepare a 
nomination file for Gombhira, a traditional folk performance combining music, 
dance, and dialogue, to seek recognition from UNESCO as an Intangible 
Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury 
told parliament today.

Replying to a starred question from opposition lawmaker Md. Nurul Islam 
(Chapainawabganj-3) during the question-answer session in the House today, he 
said the government has already taken preliminary steps toward international 
recognition of the centuries-old cultural tradition.

"The government has a plan to prepare a nomination file for the traditional 
Gombhira performance for inscription on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage 
list in the future," the minister said.

With Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, in the chair, Nitai Chowdhury 
said Gombhira has already been included in Bangladesh's National Inventory of 
Intangible Cultural Heritage, a prerequisite for consideration in UNESCO's 
heritage recognition process.

"The traditional Gombhira performance has already been enlisted in the 
National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage," he added.

According to information placed before the House, Gombhira, a distinctive 
folk-dialogue performance originating in Chapainawabganj and surrounding 
areas, is listed in the Rajshahi Division inventory of intangible cultural 
heritage maintained by the Bangladesh National Museum.

The inventory includes "Gombhira, folk dialogic performance" among the 
region's notable cultural traditions. Other heritage elements listed from 
Rajshahi Division include Lohori Kantha, Nakshi Kantha, the 'Nobanno' harvest 
festival, wedding songs of Bogura, Karam Utsav, Dasai Nach, the traditional 
dance of the Orao community and Baha Parab.

The minister said the government would continue efforts to preserve and 
promote the country's rich folk traditions and cultural heritage.