Del Thakurer Geet: A ritual-theatre of Southern part of Bangladesh

In the agricultural-based traditional religious society of Bangladesh and West Bengal, the 'Del Thakur-er Geet' is an ancient ritual (ritual-festival) of Bangladesh. This festival takes place on the occasion of Chaitra Sankranti (the end of Bangla calendar year). Depending on the region, this ritual is called Shiv Thakur's song, ShivGauri's song, Charak Puja, Del Puja, etc. Along with worship and rituals, the devotees of Del Thakur travel around their own villages and neighbouring villages accompanied by songs, dances and musical instruments. During this time, devotees performed mythological stories and characters of various gods and goddesses, including Shiva and Gauri, in the courtyards of the houses of traditional devotees and in the open (open) spaces of the market. The organic environment of dance-song-musicacting and the dual presence of the spectator and actor turned an open-empty-real-space of an agricultural-based house into a mythological space. The mythological god Shiva is transformed into a form of performance of Del Thakur. As a result, it can be seen as a ritual-theatre.