One bell-weather of this revivalism is the wedding ceremonies where most of the Bollywood songs seems to have made way for the folk, fusion and romantic classics of the 60s and 70s. Young composers have drawn both praise and cynicism for fusion, but its popularity has been unstoppable. Supported by recent launches of private radio stations, it has won back the youth, now humming home-grown tunes. And no one failed to notice the heavy emphasis on nationalism on the vastly successful Close-Up 1, where judges, contestants, and audience were regularly moved to tears listening to the "lost" songs of yesteryears.

The recent concert organized by Transparency International Bangladesh to highlight fight against corruption drew a big audience and is perhaps one example of how culture is being increasingly used to get messages across to the future leaders of the country.

In fashion, local craft has mushroomed across the country and beyond. What started as hobbies for many, have grown into fashion houses catering to local designs and material. There will perhaps always be an allure for the foreign-designer brands, but side-by-side the appeal amongst consumers for local designer brands is a much welcome dimension. Hats off also to the stars and fashion models who have used popular means of bringing these designs to the national platform.

The private channels have also caught on this national sentiment. Smartly directed documentaries, talk shows, musical programs are geared to promoting a host of ideas that are considered an important part of our heritage. Interviews and shows on topics such as bauls, instrumentalists, and craftsmen are slowly but surely finding a growing audience.

The widespread acceptance of this trend seems to have shot a dose of confidence into the minds of today's youth. They are increasingly becoming more vocal on fundamental issues and ways to promote traditional values. Young reporters are breaking boundaries in terms of quality investigative reporting. Talk shows with live audiences are discussing issues ranging from corruption to HIV to political ethics. At the same time the international transmission of the private channels seems to have knitted the expatriates to home. Across Middle East, UK, and North America, these channels have been magnets to Bangladeshis starved for quality programs.

Film-makers have joined the wave. People have flocked to the cinema halls to see movies on our independence war, movies that have challenged folk-superstition and more recently movies on the political/economic stalemates.

These events have not happened overnight and as we warmly greet the new year we can only be encouraged by the storm that have gathered over our cultural world. But unlike the dreaded monsoon where the country is flooded disastrously, this is one storm that we look forward to welcoming with open arms.

Sadya Afreen Mallick is In-charge, Culture Desk, The Daily Star.