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Mohammad Aman Mia, a 70-year-old resident of Gandaria, a 12-year-old Hasib, and a 30-year-old Fazle rabbi from Narinda, three of them have a common link of their childhood, one festival, one celebration from different eras- Shakrain. This unique kite festival can only be seen in the skies over Old Dhaka, particularly in a few areas. All three witnessed the festival in different ways, and Mr Aman Mia and Mr Rabbi have also noticed a change in perception and in how the festival is celebrated. What is their story, and how is Shakrain observed in 2026?
"Some five decades ago, we celebrated Shakrain while flying kites, competing fellows who can cut more kites," said Mr Aman.
"We used to take preparations mixing glass-particles with the rice gruel to make the specialised yarn for the festival," he added. Mr Rabbi has a similar memory to the 70-year-old Mr Aman. However, he witnessed a 'shift' that, according to him, hasn't happened overnight.
"I don't play kites anymore, knowing it is not permitted to celebrate other religion's festival from Mawlanas. I used to play kites when I was a kid, but in those times it was not celebrated with parties and music as we see now," Mr Rabbi said.
The 12-year-old Hasib loves to fly kites; however, his friends tell him it is forbidden for a Muslim. "Mosque committee says it is wrong, butI love to play. Everyone plays, you see," Hasib said.
Old Dhaka's one of the significant parhaps the most unique festival is Shakrain, also known as Poush Sankranti. It marks the end of the ninth month in the Bengali calendar. It is a day of transition and tradition, which eventually led the festival to go through changes.
Shakrain has been a part of Dhaka's identity for centuries. Its origins go back to the Mughal era. Initially, it was a religious observance for the Hindu community to celebrate the harvest. Over the course of hundreds of years, it evolved into a secular cultural event. It became a symbol of 'Dhakaiya' pride.
The tradition is simple but intense. Families spend weeks preparing. They make pitha—traditional rice cakes—and invite relatives to their rooftops. The afternoon is dedicated to kite fighting. The goal is to cut the string of an opponent's kite. When a kite falls, children chase it through the narrow alleys.
Business of Shakrain
The festival drives a massive local economy. For months leading up to January, the artisans of Shankhari Bazar and Tanti Bazar work day and night.
They craft kites with names like Chokhdar, Pankhiraj, and Voladar. The strings, or manja, are a business in their own right. Makers coat cotton thread with a mixture of glue and crushed glass to make it sharp.
Shopkeepers sell thousands of kites every year. However, the market is changing. Traditional kite makers now compete with cheap, factory-made imports. Many sellers also now stock fireworks and lanterns, which have higher profit margins than paper kites.
Evolution and modern friction
Shakrain has changed significantly in the last decade. What was once a quiet day of kite flying has become a high-energy spectacle. The kites come down after sunset, and the speakers turn on. Many rooftops now feature DJ sets, laser shows, and fire-breathing performances.
This evolution has caused a divide. And the divide is visible among the older and younger generations of old Dhaka. Younger generations love the party atmosphere. Older residents feel the core tradition is being lost to noise and flash.
Restrictions and religious opposition
This year, the festival faced significant hurdles. Several Muslim groups and local mosque committees organised protests to stop the celebrations.
In neighbourhoods like Gandaria and Sutrapur, activists held marches. They distributed leaflets claiming the festival is 'un-Islamic.' They criticised the loud music and the mixing of men and women on rooftops. This pressure led some families to cancel their plans or keep their celebrations quiet. Security concerns also brought government intervention. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) issued strict restrictions. They banned the use of fanush (paper lanterns) and fireworks.
This decision followed years in which lanterns caused major fires in the crowded buildings of Old Dhaka. The police also set time limits on sound systems to prevent noise pollution. Keeping the environment free of pollution is indeed needed at this time.
Despite the bans and the protests, Shakrain survives. It remains rare for the community to look upward rather than down. The beauty lies in the visual chaos—thousands of spots of colour dancing in the wind.
It is a festival that forces people to gather. In a city that is becoming more digital and isolated, Shakrain shows a physical presence on a rooftop linking the present generation to the Dhaka of the 1700s.