Mangal Shovajatra
Mangal Shovajatra the colorful cultural procession and rally, holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Bangladesh. It is celebrated during the Bengali New Year, known as pahela baishakh. It is organized on 14 April every year by students and teachers of Faculty of Fine Arts, Dhaka University, marking the beginning of the Bengali calendar. The term ‘Mangal Shovajatra’ translates to ‘procession of well-being’ or ‘auspicious rally’. It is a vibrant parade that symbolizes the unity and resilience of people from Bengal delta.
Three students from the Dhaka Fine Arts Institute, which is now the Faculty of Fine Arts at the Dhaka University, Mahabub Jamal Shamim, Moklesur Rahman, and Heronmay Chanda, came up with the concept for Mangal Shovajatra. The procession was created by the trio, along with their classmates and friends, in 1989 after being inspired by one that had occurred in Jessore in 1985. The students back then made the decision to artistically fight against the undemocratic rule and provide the common people with the hope for a brighter future during the 1980s, when numerous tragedies, including disastrous floods and the imposition of military rule, greatly distressed the people of the country.
Faculty of Fine Art (FFA) of the University of Dhaka, also known as the Charukola, has prevented big firms from placing commercial signage during the Mangal Shovajatra. Instead, alumni, teachers, and students raise funds by selling the artwork, sora,masks, and crafts they make. In order to promote Bangladesh’s traditional folklore, Mangal Shovajatra includes a variety of animal-shaped carnival floats, enormously colorful masks, replicas of birds and butterflies, traditional dolls, and other themes. New themes are chosen each year that are relevant to the politics and culture of the country. This rally promotes peace, harmony and tolerance among different communities in Bangladesh and emphasizes the secular identity of Bengali people.
The procession is made more lively by music, dance, theatrical presentations and cultural displays. Traditional musical instruments such as drums, flutes and cymbals are often played to create an energetic atmosphere. The participants of the rally wear traditional attire and carry banners, masks, props representing various themes.
Mangal Shovajatra on Pahela Baishakh has been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This decision was made at the 11th session of the Inter-governmental Committee on Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage, which took place on 30 November 2016, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
In a nutshell, the Mangal Shovajatra is an inclusive cultural event that promotes cultural awareness, social consciousness and a shared sense of belonging among the Bangladeshi people. [Gobinda Chakraborty]
