Dhaka University's (DU) fine arts faculty decided against including a symbolic representation of the July uprising martyr Abu Sayeed in this year's Mangal Shobhajatra (Bangla new year procession), despite initial plans to commemorate his bravery.
The faculty dean Professor Azaharul Islam Sheikh revealed on Wednesday, March 26, that while a preliminary sketch of Sayeed's symbolic motif was initially developed, the plan was ultimately abandoned following objections from the martyr's family. The proposed design had aimed to highlight Sayeed's courageous contributions, featuring a potential 20-foot-tall figure among other symbolic elements.
The university's iconic procession, which has been a hallmark of cultural celebration since 1989, was originally known as Ananda Shobhajatra (Procession of Joy) before being renamed Mangal Shobhajatra (Procession of Well-being) in 1990. The event carries profound historical significance, emerging during the anti-autocracy movement and symbolising the triumph of good over evil. This cultural expression gained international recognition when UNESCO inscribed it as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on 30 November, 2016.
The original artistic concept for this year's procession was remarkably comprehensive, encompassing not only Sayeed's potential representation but also including sculptures of a tiger, a bird, and a symbol of autocracy. Numerous masks were also planned, reflecting the rich artistic tradition of the faculty of fine arts at DU.
Despite the removal of Sayeed's motif, the procession remains a powerful testament to cultural resilience and artistic expression, continuing its decades-long tradition of marking the Bangla new year with creativity and symbolic meaning.
NRE/ST
