A subdued Sakrain

The last day of Poush once meant Old Dhaka’s rooftops bursting with laughter, with colourful kites filling the sky and engaging in playful aerial battles. This year, however, the familiar celebrations seem noticeably subdued.

Sakrain is a festival that has long defined winter in Old Dhaka.

Across neighbourhoods like Shakharibazar, Sutrapur, Gandaria, Narinda, Kagjitola and Lakshmibazar, kite shops stood stocked.

“Kite sales are much lower this year for various reasons. Last year, sales were much better,” said Jitu Roy, a seller at Shakharibazar.

His disappointment was echoed by Santosh of Lakshmibazar, “We thought sales would increase on the final day, but it was disappointing. The Sakrain vibe just isn’t there anymore.”

The skies told the same story. A handful of kites appeared in the morning, but by afternoon, the air was still. As evening fell, fireworks, lanterns and music drowned out the traditional kite-flying that once defined the festival.

“Our Sakrain then and now are completely different,” said Jamir, 42, a resident of Sutrapur. “Previously, the sky would be covered with kites. Now Sakrain mostly means DJ parties and fireworks.”

Locals believe the nature of Sakrain has shifted over time, which is reflected in dwindling sales and a shift in forms of celebrations.

A Gandaria resident said, “We have been celebrating Sakrain since childhood. It was always the festival of Old Dhaka’s people. But now that spirit seems to have been lost.”

Jannatul Ferdous Ela, a student from Kaltabazar, recalled how people from different areas once gathered. “That doesn’t happen anymore. I fear the festival may slowly disappear.”Police, meanwhile, focused on safety. Assistant Commissioner Fazlul Haque of Kotwali zone said kite flying is permitted, but steps were taken to curb fireworks and DJ parties at night. 

“We have held several meetings with local representatives, and police patrols remain active to handle any untoward situation,” he said.