The authorities on Friday changed the name of Bangladesh’s one of the major annual celebrations of traditional festivity that comes along welcoming the Bangla New Year in an apparent politically charged atmosphere.
The announcement for replacement of the name of landmark procession of “Mangal Shobhajatra (or “procession for well-being)”, a UNESCO cultural heritage, with “Barshabaran Ananda Shobhajatra (or procession of joy in the new-year) came barely three days ahead of the Bangla New Year celebration on April 14.
Fine Arts faculty dean of Dhaka University Azharul Islam Sheikh announced the new name in presence of DU vice-chancellor Niaz Ahmed Khan and other senior officials at a news conference in Dhaka.
The Institute of Fine Arts of the University of Dhaka has consistently been organizing the annual procession, seeking well-being for all since 1989 Ananda Shobhajatra. Later it 1996, the procession was named Mangol Shobhajatra, which the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation recognize as one of the major cultural heritages of Bangladesh in 2016.
There has been indication for change in the name of the procession from the senior officials of the interim administration headed by Muhammad Yunus, who assumed office in August last year, after the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in the face of a mass upsurge.
Some Islamic groups have long been pressing the government for making the change since they believe the very Bangla word “Mongol” represents the Hindu rituals and against the Muslims values.
The organisers of the event this year claimed “Barshabaran Ananda Shobhajatra” will reflect the nation’s rich cultural diversity, people’s aspirations and the spirit of a liberal and inclusive society.
This year’s theme, “Noboborshe Oikotaan, Fascibader Obosaan” (harmony in new-year, end of fascism), was finalised in a meeting chaired by the Vice-Chancellor earlier on March 24 at the Senate Bhaban.
Debate surfaced among cross section of people with the change in names of the procession as the official announcement came on Friday.
Over the change of the name, noted actor and playwright Mamunur Rashid was unhappy over the decision.
“I am disagreeing with the decision of changing the name. I think, it should remain as Mangol Shobhajatra as it has got the UNESCO recognition,” he told Times of Bangladesh.
This change will not yield a good result, he opined.
Noted actor Ramendu Majumder echoed Rashid saying it was not necessary to rename the procession.
“I think, it is an unnecessary change. Many aspects of the procession are being changed this time,” he said.
Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki on March 23 hinted at changing the name of the procession that is usually brought out marking the Bengali new-year.
“This year’s Mangal Shobhajatra, which will involve participation from all ethnic groups, will feature new elements including colours, scents, and melodies,” he told reporters after a meeting on the national celebration of the Bengali New Year as well as the New Year celebrations of other ethnic groups like the Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Garo.
The very name of the Mangol Shobhajatra appeared before the nation spontaneously from the activists who fought on the streets during the anti-autocrat movement against military dictator Hussain Muhammad Ershad. And, thus it gained popularity over time.
After the last year’s political changeover, Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islam termed the Mangal Shobhajatra a “Hindu ritual” and called the government to rename it as Ananda Shobhajatra.
Mangal Shobhajatra is rooted in Hindu traditions and has been falsely imposed on the public in the name of cultural inclusivity, the radical Islamic group said in a statement on Thursday.
The group argued that the term “Mangal” carries religious connotations inconsistent with Islamic practices.
The Mangal Shobhajatra is “flooded with idols and imagery of Hindu deities and animals,” which they said is unacceptable in a secular setup.
Against the backdrop, it was observed that there was a lack of enthusiasm among the teachers-students of the Fine Arts.
In the past years, the premises of the faculty was vibrant with the footsteps of enthusiastic teachers and students who became busy making various motifs and masks.
Earlier on March 26, a group of Fine Arts students (70th batch) in a statement called for boycott of this year’s celebration citing it a politically motivated event.
Some students at the institute say that a festive environment prevails usually on the premises of the faculty centering the Bangali’s greatest festival from the initial period of making motifs, but it is an exception this year.
Many fear that the participation of women may be poor this year.
The organsiers said the celebration of Pahela Boishakh is a move forward toward the goals of free expression, cultural practice and building a humane state.
Speaking on the name change, Fine Arts dean Sheikh said, “As you know, this Boishakh celebration began in 1989 under the name ‘Ananda Shobhajatra’. It was later renamed ‘Mangal Shobhajatra’. So, we are calling this a restoration.”
As per the schedule, the main procession featuring 20 decorated horses will start from the Fine Arts premises at 9:00am and go around Shahbagh intersection, the Raju sculpture crossing, the Central Shaheed Minar, Doel Chattar and Bangla Academy and return to the institute.
During the rally, roads from Bangla Motor, BIRDEM Hospital, Palashi and Matsya Bhaban toward Shahbagh and Charukola will remain closed. Entry for general people will be allowed via Nilkhet and Palashi roads.
For security reasons, Shahbagh and TSC metro stations will remain closed for four hours from 8:00am.
There will be seven large motifs this year: the face of fascism, a wooden tiger, hilsa fish, watermelon slices (symbolising the Palestinian struggle), a dove of peace, a palanquin, and a symbolic water bottle of a fictional character named Mugdha.
Medium-sized motifs will include 10 Sultani and Mughal-style masks, 20 colorful pinwheels, eight palm-leaf soldiers, five birds, four fans, 20 horses, and 100 canvases depicting folk arts.
Smaller motifs will include 80 faces of fascism, 200 tiger heads, 10 fishing traps made of bamboo slices, six fish-catching baskets, 20 bamboo hats (mathal), five ploughs, and five fish baskets (dola).