‘Mangal Shobhajatra’ renamed to ‘Borsho Boron Anondo Shobhajatra’

The procession marking the Bengali New Year, organised by the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Dhaka, has been renamed.

The procession, formerly known as Mangal Shobhajatra, will now be called “Borsho Boron Anondo Shobhajatra.”

The decision was conveyed in a press conference held today at the fine arts faculty at DU.

Prof Niaz Ahmed Khan, vice chancellor of the University of Dhaka said, “The main theme of the Anondo Shobhajatra conveys two messages — the end of an authoritarian political system, and the spontaneous protest of the people against a distorted system.”

Prof Azharul Islam Chanchal, convener of the Nababarsa 1432 Celebration Committee, said, “We have not changed the name, rather, we have restored the original name of the celebration, ‘Anondo Shobhajatra’.”

He explained that during the first rally in 1989, the name “Anondo Shobhajatra” was adopted spontaneously. However, when it was later renamed Mangal Shobhajatra, that change did not occur in the same “organic manner”.

The professor added that the decision was not made under any external pressure.

“In the past, there were setbacks under the banner of ‘Mangal’ (meaning well-being). The word Mangal was used by fascist regimes in a way that left negative connotations in society. That’s why we want to return to the original spirit, a time of spontaneous participation by all people, free from political aggression disguised as cultural practice,” he said.

Prof AAM Kaoser Hassan, member secretary of the Nababarsa 1432 Celebration Committee, said that this year’s procession will feature seven large motifs, a face symbolizing fascism, a wooden tiger, a hilsa fish, the dove of peace, a palanquin, a water bottle as a symbolic representation of Mugdho — the young student killed during the student led mass uprising last year – and a watermelon slice, in solidarity with the people of Palestine.

In Palestine, the watermelon is familiar as a symbol of diligence and resistance. The colours of a watermelon slice also imitate the colours of the Palestinian flag, and images of watermelons have been used by people across the world since the start of the ongoing violence in Gaza to express solidartiy.

Additionally, for the medium-sized motifs, there will be ten masks from the Sultanate and Mughal periods, twenty colorful charkis (spinning wheels), eight palm-leaf soldiers, five Tuhin birds, four fans, twenty horses, and one hundred canvases featuring folk art.

Among the small motifs, there will be eighty faces representing anti-fascism, two hundred tiger heads, ten fishing poles, six chhai (traditional fish traps), twenty mathals (traditional straw hats), five langols (ploughs), and five mācher dola (traditional fish baskets).

He also mentioned that this year, 410 artists from 26 indigenous communities from both the hill tracts and plains will participate in the celebrations. Among them are communities such as the Mro, Marma, Lusai, Bom, Khiyang, Chakma, Tripura, Tanchangya, Pankhwa, Rajoar, Santal, Mahali, Kol, Malpaharia, Hajong, and others.

Prof Saifuddin Ahmed, the proctor of Dhaka University, said that the rally will start in front of the Faculty of Fine Arts. It will head towards the Shahbagh intersection, take a U-turn, and then proceed towards the Raju Sculpture.

From there, the rally will take a right turn and move towards the Shaheed Minar, passing by Sufia Kamal Hall on its right. Then, it will turn left towards Doyel Chattar, march past the Bangla Academy, and finally conclude back in front of the Faculty of Fine Arts.

Law enforcement will not be positioned at the front of the procession this year, although they will be present on both sides to ensure overall security, the proctor added.

Saifuddin further said that at the time of the rally, only Palashi and Nilkhet road will be kept open for the general public while the road from Banglamotor, Matshya Bhaban to the Shahabagh intersection will remain closed.

During the procession, three gates of Suhrawardy Udyan will also remain closed. These are the Chabir Hat gate opposite the Faculty of Fine Arts, the TSC gate behind the Raju Sculpture, and the Kali Mandir gate opposite Bangla Academy.

For security and crowd control, the Shahbag and TSC metro stations will also remain closed from morning until afternoon. No passengers will board or disembark during this time. The stations will reopen after the procession ends.

After 5:00pm, no one will be allowed to enter the campus, as entry gates will not remain open. However, exit gates will remain open after 5:00pm.