Bottle Sculpture to Remember Mugdha in Mangal Shobhajatra

Staff Reporter

On the first day of Bengali New Year, Pahela Baishakh, the traditional procession will emerge from Dhaka University as usual. While this event has been known as “Mangal Shobhajatra” for about 35 years, there is ongoing discussion about changing its name this year.

Whether the word “Mangal” will remain part of this year’s procession name will be announced next Thursday, April 10.

The main event is being organized by the Faculty of Fine Arts at DU. However, this year the student batch responsible for organizing will not participate. Additionally, uncertainty remains about the procession’s name, though preparations continue in full swing.

This year’s theme has been set as: “Harmony in New Year, End of Fascism.” The interim government has stated this year’s procession will be more inclusive – reflecting ethnic diversity. Various ethnic groups will participate with their own cultural traditions.

The procession’s motifs will include:
– Large portraits of dictators
– A 16-foot tall hilsa fish
– Bengal’s traditional wooden tiger
– White doves symbolizing peace

Additionally, plans are being considered to create a sculpture using water bottles in memory of the slain Mir Mugdha. It remains uncertain which motifs will ultimately feature in the procession or how they will be presented.

Dean of Fine Arts Professor Azharul Islam stated, “We’re working on five or six motifs. Everything will be officially announced once finalized.”

It’s been learned that the procession will also feature over a hundred other motifs including flowers, birds and more.

Previously, a decision was made to create a motif in memory of slain Shibir activist Abu Saeed from Begum Rokeya University featuring his outstretched hands, but it was later canceled due to strong objections.

This year’s procession organizing responsibility was given to Fine Arts’ 26th batch. However, they released a statement saying they won’t participate in any event where teachers make unilateral decisions without student input.

Notably, the Faculty of Fine Arts has been organizing this procession for Baishakh since 1989. Initially called “Ananda Shobhajatra,” it later transformed into “Mangal Shobhajatra” during the anti-autocracy movement. UNESCO included it in the World Cultural Heritage list in 2016.