Bangla music in ancient times was mostly linked to prayer. Due to the immense influence of Hindu mythology, most folk songs are related to some sort of praise of the gods and their creation. Modernization of Bangla music occurred at different times and most of these modernization processes happened independently of western influence. Most notable of these changes were works of Rabindranath Tagore (a Nobel Laureate poet who introduced variations of classical music), Kazi Nazrul Islam (who introduced complicated musical composition) and fusion of traditional music with electronic instruments and Western work.

The Bengali language is among the top ten most spoken in the world. The language is revered as a uniting element for all Bengali speakers--especially relevant is the fact that Bangla is the only language in recent history that people fought to protect as a national language. These efforts are now commemorated globally on February 21st of each year which was declared by UNESCO as International Mother Language Day in hopes of promoting “linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.”

With an emphasis on fish and lentils served with rice as a staple diet, Bengali cuisine is known for its subtle (yet sometimes fiery) flavors, its confectioneries and desserts, and has perhaps the only indigenously developed multi-course tradition from South-Asia that is analogous with the likes of Japanese, French and Italian cuisine in structure.