DHAKA, April 4, 2024 (BSS) - Mangal Shobhajatra, a significant part of the Pahela Baishakh celebrations, will appear this year with a vibrant look, larger arrangement and in a new route extending the previous route.

"Along with adding new dimensions and arrangements to this year's Mangal Shobhajatra marking the 75th founding anniversary of fine arts faculty, the route of Shobhajatra will also be extended this year", member secretary of Pahela Baishakh celebration committee Professor Nisar Hossain told a press conference today.

As per the new route, Shovajatra procession, starting from fine arts premises, will march towards Shahbagh, Ramna park and High Court area which will end at the TSC premises, said Professor Nisar.

Wishing to spread the light in the society, "Amra to Timirnibashi", a line from Jibanananda Das's poem 'Timir Hananer Gan' has been set as the theme of this year's Mangal Shobhajatra.

Keeping the Mangal Shobhajatra free of corporate sponsorship, teachers, students, and alumni of the faculty raise funds by creating and selling their artworks, crafts, masks and sora, said DU Pro-VC (Administration) Prof Dr Mohammad Samad.

"Due to the Eid festival, a lion portion of our students are off campus. However, some of our dedicated and promising running and former students are here working relentlessly day and night," said Prof Nisar.
 
"A large number of teachers have also been working here. We will get it two or three days after the Eid. Hope, it will be enough to complete the entire work in due time," said Nisar.
 
 "As the beacons of light against darkness, we want to spread light in the society by breaking through the darkness and thus, "Amra to Timirnibashi", a line from Jibanananda Das's poem Timir Hananer Gan has been set as the theme of this year's Mangal Shobhajatra", said Professor Nisar.

The Mangal Shobhajatra will be featured with five big motifs along with some large motif masks which will be displayed during the procession while drawing and painting will be done focusing on rickshaw portraits, he added.

Famous artist Rafiqun Nabi, DU Proctor Prof Dr Maksudur Rahman and National Press Club General Secretary Shyamal Dutta, among others also addressed the press conference.

Every year, on April 14 (Bengali New Year), students of the Fine Art Faculty of Dhaka University bring out the 'Mangal Shobhajatra', which got the recognition from Unesco as an intangible cultural heritage in 2016.

This well-decorated carnival with colourful larger-than-life banners and animal replicas has been an integral part of Bangladeshi culture since 1989 and became a signature event that represents folk motifs of the country's traditions.