RAKIB MADBER

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

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