This year’s Mangal Shovajatra, a rally that is customarily organised to celebrate Bangla New Year, has been prepared with both global and Bengali cultural perspectives in mind.
“War is right now the biggest problem the globe is facing. War puts people’s lives at risk across the world. This year’s Mangal Shovajatra will be held calling for the end of all wars and wishing for the welfare of the people,” said Nisar Hossain, dean of Fine Arts faculty at Dhaka University.
While visiting DU’s Fine Arts faculty, it was seen that the students were busy creating structures (motifs), masks, paintings, and some were busy creating portraits to sell.
This year, six large structures of sheep, elephant, nilgai, tepa doll, tiger and peacock will be presented in the Shovajatra to represent the Bangla New Year’s motifs.
The nilgai is a brand-new addition to the event this year. The goal of the students’ creation of this motif is to improve the intimacy and friendliness of human interaction with these kinds of rare wild animals.
Students in the fine arts department said since the beginning of the month, they had been working after every class exam. They are enthusiastically striving to provide colour to the New Year. They are excited to involve themselves in this work.
They said with enthusiasm that they are involved in the planning of a significant Bengali cultural event, it is a great achievement for them.
The year’s (1430) Mangal Shovajatra’s slogan is “Borish Dhara Majhe Shantir Bari,” a song by Rabindranath Tagore that expresses the desire for global peace. The day falls on April 14.
The preparation for the Mangal Shovajatra is being overseen this year by DU’s 68th batch of fine arts faculty.
“The theme this year is a global concept. We are attempting to restore nature through this. I’d like to see a stronger connection between people and nature. We are designing the themes with the assumption that people would value the environment,” said Shimul Kumbhakar, a 68th batch student.
“Like every year, we make all folk motifs and masks, etc,” he stated.
“Six themes have now been created. The nilgai has been included as a new design element. In order to strengthen our bond with this wild animal, we are developing this motif.”
All batches of students are working. The stalls are there where masks, and other items are being made and sold. Also being produced festive masks. The rally’s expenses will be paid for with the proceeds from the sale of these.
“We are making kings and queens,” said another 68th batch of fine arts student Shrestha Saha. “Kings and queens from the Mughal era are in front of Baishakh. More masks and forms are being produced. They’ll also be for sale. Its funds will be used to cover the expenses.”
Other than painting the motifs, the preparation is almost finished. So far, the students predicted that this would be finished by Thursday.
