C T Online Desk: With only three days left till the Pohela Boishakh, the students of Dhaka University are gearing up to celebrate the Bengali New Year by bringing out the Mongol Shobhajatra – a traditional colourful procession seeking well-being and calling for harmony.
As the procession was suspended in the last two years due to the Covid-19 lockdown, students at the Institute of Fine Arts were seen painting masks and other motifs in a joyful spirit in front of the Zainul Gallery to make the Shobhajatra successful this time around.
Due to current Metro Rail construction, the Shobhajatra will start at 9am from TSC and end in front of the DU vice chancellor’s residence, instead of the TSC to Shahbagh route.
No masks other than those created by the Fine Arts students will be allowed on the campus that day, organisers say.
This well-decorated carnival with colourful larger-than-life banners and animal replicas has been an integral part of Bangladeshi culture since 1989.
Mongol Shobhajatra, which translates to “procession seeking well-being”, is a signature event that represents folk motifs of the country’s traditions.
Because of its uniqueness, Mongol Shobhajtra was recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by the Unesco on November 30, 2016.
The students of DU Faculty of Fine Arts started the Mongol Shobhajatra in 1989, and soon it became an essential part of the Pohela Boishakh celebrations in Dhaka and elsewhere.
Before this, the students of fine arts school Charupath in Jessore used to bring out a procession, known as “Ananda Shobhajatra”, in the town on the first day of Bengali New Year.
This year, this event is being organized by the students of 22nd and 23rd batches. But students from all batches, artists, and teachers, are working together in a celebratory spirit.
On March 31, renowned painter Shahabuddin Ahmed inaugurated the preparation work.
Since there are no sponsors for this event, the event’s expenses will be funded by the sale of the artwork by the students.
The students said their preparation would continue until April 13. Their faces showed their enthusiasm and excitement while working under the supervision of artist Shishir Bhattacharjee.
However, this year, they only got a few days to prepare for the Shobhajatra.
Special features this year
“We did a symbolic program last year, but this year, we are organizing it on a large scale. However, we’re a little nervous as it’s after a long time, and most importantly, Ramadan is going on,” said Farhad Hossain Sujan, one of the conveners of the organising committee.
“This year, we’re going to build around five bamboo structures that will be also built in the theme of our folk art,” he said, adding that they will ensure the security like they do every year.
“Normally, more than 1,500 people participate in the Shobhajatra every year, but we are expecting fewer people this year due to Ramadan,” said Nur Rimjhim, a student from the 22nd batch and committee convener.
She mentioned that they had only built four large dolls including a bird.
“Our preparations usually begin a month in advance. However, this year, the preparation started on March 31 and the work began on April 1.”
Rimjhim said that the students had worked exceptionally hard to build the bird structure, which took four days.
It is the largest motif made by the students this year.
They were seen sculpting Tepa Putul — a traditional Bangladeshi terracotta sculpture. They have also made owls, birds, hand fans, colorful masks, and other items that are also part of Bangladeshi folk art.
The students have also created ten large motif masks and chorki (wheelbarrow), which will be displayed during the procession.
There will be 40-50 small motif masks for the organizers.
Three large bird motifs will be placed inside three circles, and the largest one will be seen flying freely on the top with its wings spread wide.
“Almost every preparation for this structure is now complete,” said Rimjhim.
Mandira Sarkar, a first-year student in the Department of Drawing and Painting, said: “We’re currently drawing a ‘Nakshikatha’ on a wall, which is a part of our folk art. And, I’m fortunate in a way that I’ve got the opportunity to work in this vibrant event since the start of my university life. I didn’t have to lose this opportunity because of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Pinak Ranjan Sarker, a third-year student in the same department, said: “I didn’t think I’ll get another opportunity to work for Mongol Shobhajatra.
“As a sign of nature, we are emphasizing red, orange, and yellow colours this year.”
Rimi Biswas, another student from the Fine Arts, said: “To us, the entire pre-production process of this program is more thrilling than the Pohela Boishakh itself, as we get the opportunity to work together for the event, apart from our departmental work.”
‘Molin Mormo Muchhaye’
“Nirmolo Koro Mongolo Kore Molin Mormo Muchhaye” is the theme for this year’s Mongol Shobhajatra.
The line, which is from a poem by Rabindranath Tagore, represents a prayer for peace. “We’ve had a pandemic, and now we’re looking for peace through this prayer,” said Sumon Wahed, a lecturer at DU.
“We have had a really tough time in the last two years and that is why we want to eradicate all the negativity from our lives right now,” said Saikat Chowdhury, one of the conveners of the Mongol Shobhajatra Committee.
Response to critics
“Our life was stuck due to the pandemic. We expect to start a new life from this year,” said Sumon Wahed, lecturer at DU’s Department of Drawing and Painting.
“A lot of people say that Mongol Shobhajatra is a Hindu culture, but that’s not true. You can’t deny art, in the name of a religion,” he also said.
“A group of people always say this…it’s an old debate. We don’t perceive this from that standpoint. It’s just a matter of perspective,” he said.
“The entire political scenario in 1989 was different. Through this Mangal Shovajatra, we were able to bring people into a single queue. Now, if someone defines it as Shirk, we have nothing to say,” said the lecturer.
