Staff Correspondent:

The name of the Bengali New Year’s ‘Mangal Shobhajatra’ has been changed to ‘Barshoboron Ananda Shobhajatra’ (Festive New Year’s Procession). This was announced at a press conference held on Friday (April 11) at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka.

Organizers believe that this year’s procession will become “for everyone,” as 28 indigenous communities are expected to participate.

Speaking at the press conference at 11 AM on Friday, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Azharul Islam, said that this year’s procession will be joyful and inclusive.

The procession originally began in the 1980s as a call to break the chains of military rule, launched from the Faculty of Fine Arts on Pahela Baishakh. It later evolved into what became known as Mangal Shobhajatra. In 2016, the event was recognized by UNESCO as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage.

Every year on Pahela Baishakh morning, following the traditional musical gathering by Chhayanaut under the banyan tree at Ramna, the Mangal Shobhajatra sets off from in front of the Faculty of Fine Arts with the national anthem. Before the procession even begins, the Shahbagh area transforms into a sea of people celebrating the New Year.

People of all ages, dressed in vibrant costumes, take part in the parade. Accompanied by the beat of traditional drums (dhak), the procession circles from Shahbagh intersection past Shishu Park and returns to end at TSC.

The theme for this year’s procession has been set as — Symphony of the New Year, End of Fascism.

The procession will reflect the timeless cultural heritage of Bengal. Alongside, it will carry the message of bidding farewell to fascism—referring to the uprisings of July–August last year. Organizers hope this message will spread widely, so such forces never rise again in the country.