If we try to understand the cultural root and evolution of Bengal, we must extend our search to the subaltern lifestyle and culture. Living quite apart from the mainstream social paradigm, the people beyond our mainstream boundaries have contributed through ages to build the rich culture of Bengal.

Guptipara has been a unique mixture of different lifestyles from the ancient times. The mainstream society was mainly dominated by Shakta section of Hinduism. The Shakta doctrine worships Power (Shakti) which is feminine in nature. Shakta Tantra or popularly known as Tantra was mainly practiced by the lower and outcast socio-economic demography. Thus to be known as ‘Bamachar’ that literally means leftism. Another main doctrine was of course ‘Shaiva‘ – worshippers of Shiva. However, there is fine mixture here as well. In the earlier days ‘Dharma Thakur‘ was the main God for the subaltern society. With the advent of ‘Shovakar‘ Vaidik Pandits in Guptipara around 11th-12th century probably played catalyst to change of main worshipping God from ‘Dharma Thakur‘ to ‘Shiva‘. The festival of ‘Gajan’ in Bengali Chaitra month which is believed to be originated from ‘Dharma Thakur‘ is now a Shiv worshipping festival among these subaltern communities. ‘Shovakar’ pandits who came mainly from Nadia district continued the Vaidik culture in Guptipara.

It’s noteworthy that ‘Bhaishnavism‘  had a tough time to get popular in Guptipara. Even in in times of Mahaprabhu Chaitnya Dev Guptipara was not convinced to worship Krishna leaving the age old devotedness to Shakta doctrine. Guptipara Deshkali Mandir had a ‘Panchamundi Asan‘ and was considered to be a ‘Siddha Peeth‘. In late 16th century, when Satyadev Saraswati founded Bridavan Chandra Math, ‘Bhaishavism‘ started gaining popularity.

Apart from these mainstream religious doctrines, the subaltern communities of Guptipara worshipped Shiva and Manasa and some other demi Gods. However, they also practiced their own cultural festivals simultaneously. Well, in course of time that also faded away. Currently, it needs a serious effort to study and archive the cultural variety of the land.

When we look closely at the subaltern strata, we can see that people had come from adjacent districts to Guptipara in different times. Sometimes they to work for infamous Indigo Cultivation in Bengal. People came especially from Chhotonagpur Plateau to work in Indigo fields. Sometimes because of their own inter cast problems, they came to Guptipara in search of new lands. Shree Nirshingha Prasad Bhattacharya (1912-1988), a genius son of the soil, had researched thoroughly on the culture of Bengal. His notable book “Banga Sanskritir Ekparba” gives us a detailed account of the communities that creates the broader Guptipara demography.

The Guptipara Project aims to study and archive the cultural evolution of Guptipara and surrounding areas.