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Published : 12 Apr 2026, 11:23 PM
A group of cultural activists and former students of Dhaka University’s Faculty of Fine Arts have announced their plan of taking out a New Year celebration procession named “Mangal Shobhajatra”.
Under the banner of “Barshabaran Parshad” and the slogan “Jagao Pothike, O Se Ghume Ocheton” (Wake the traveller, he is deep in slumber), the procession will start from Dhanmondi 27 on Tuesday morning to mark the first day of the Bangla New Year 1433.
The move follows the change in the name of the official Dhaka University Bengali New Year celebration rally during the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government.
In 2025, it was called the “Barshabaran Ananda Shobhajatra”, and this year, it has been officially designated as the “Baishakhi Shobhajatra”.
Nadimul Islam, principal of Tokshoshila Bidyalaya and one of the organisers, told bdnews24.com that the initiative aims to protect a national heritage recognised by the UNESCO in 2016.
“Mangal Shobhajatra is our national tradition. Since 2024, we have faced obstacles. Even if the name is changed officially, we will protect our culture and heritage,” he said.
Most of the organisers were involved in the original processions organised by the DU fine arts faculty in the 1990s.
They expressed disappointment that the term “Mangal” (well-being) was removed following opposition from certain religious groups after the fall of the Awami League government in August 2024.
At the Tokshoshila campus in West Dhanmondi, preparations are under way to create the traditional motifs that define the procession.
Large structures of birds, owls, pigeons, and elephants made of wood and paper have already been painted in vibrant colours.
Masks of tigers and different imaginary characters, along with replicas of musical instruments like the tabla and dotara, are being readied for the parade.
The Barshabaran Parshad is not the only group holding a separate event.
There are other socio-cultural organisation holding similar events
