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Published : 23 Mar 2025, 09:59 PM
This year, for the first time, the interim government has taken the initiative to organise a universal inclusive festival to celebrate Bangla New Year 1432, involving Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Garo, and other ethnic groups.
Meanwhile, there are indications that the name of the Mangal Shobhajatra may be changed.
The traditional procession is taken out from Dhaka University’s Faculty of Fine Arts on the Pahela Boishakh morning every year, on the occasion of the Bangla New Year.
Preparations are under way to hold the festival celebrating the New Year on Apr 14.
Addressing a media briefing at the conference room of the ministry, Cultural Affairs Advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooki said: "It is not good for any society to exclude any culture or its people, customs, and traditions. It’s good that we have come to realise this at the end.
“Bringing all these cultures together was supposed to happen 30 years ago, but we are trying to do it now. This time the procession which will come out of the fine arts, you will really see new things there.
“You can see a lot of changes, new colours, smells, and new melodies."
Hinting at the name change of the procession, he said: “It will be decided at a meeting [Monday].”
The meeting will be held at Dhaka University, according to the advisor.
Pointing out that the procession did not start with the name of Mangal Shobhajatra, Farooki said: “It was called Ananda Shobhajatra, from where the Mangal Shobhajatra came. The name that has been changed once, if there is a consensus, will be renamed and it is unlikely if everyone isn’t in favour.
"This procession is not just for Bengalis. It is for Bengalis, Chakmas, Marmas, Garos, everyone. Therefore, we need to give it a name that belongs to all of us, so they don't end up being bracketed separately."
He continued, "The Chakmas call the festival Biju, the Marmas call it Sangrai. If there is a central name, then in the block where the Chakma procession or the Garo one will be held, you will see their own name like Wangala in front of the latter.”
Mangal Shobhajatra is a festival of Bengali soul, and has already been recognised as a cultural heritage by UNESCO on Nov 30, 2016.
When asked about the reason for changing the name of the UNESCO-recognised procession, the cultural affairs advisor said: "UNESCO will know next time that this procession has become bigger and more inclusive. UNESCO will have reasons to be happy about it, there is no reason to object."
The advisor said a "rock concert" is being held at the Shilpakala Academy on Apr 13 on the occasion of Chaitra Sankranti, where Chakma, Garo, Marma, and Bengali music bands all will perform together.
On the same occasion, Baul and Fakir artists will perform at Suhrawardy Udyan.
He added, "A cultural event and a drone show in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy are being discussed outside the National Parliament building on Apr 14.”
Farooki also says the festival will be organised across the country, including parts of Dhaka.
“The amount of grant from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs has been doubled in all the districts and Upazilas for this year's Bangla New Year celebrations."
