A visit to the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka revealed the final stages of preparations on Thursday.
International Mother Language Day and Martyrs' Day, the Shaheed Minar premises will resonate with solemn tributes and heartfelt remembrance throughout Friday, February 21.
International Mother Language Day, and Martyrs' Day in Bangladesh, commemorate the historic Language Movement of 1952.
On this day, people honour the martyrs who sacrificed their lives to uphold the right to speak in their mother tongue, Bangla.
The Shaheed Minar stands as a symbol of this struggle, where citizens pay tribute with floral offerings and cultural expressions.
February 21 was declared International Mother Language Day by Unesco on November 17, 1999.
It has been observed throughout the world since February 21, 2000.
Adorned with countless floral offerings, the monument will stand as a symbol of deep respect for the language martyrs and the Bengali people’s sacrifices for linguistic freedom.
People from all walks of life will pay homage to those who laid down their lives to secure the right to speak their mother tongue.
The surrounding streets and adjacent walls were being adorned with vibrant murals and calligraphy following thorough cleaning efforts.
Faculty members and students from Dhaka University's Faculty of Fine Arts were seen engrossed in their artistic endeavours, contributing to the aesthetic embellishment of the premises.
At the site, students of the fine arts department were painting intricate "alpana" motifs on the roads leading to the Shaheed Minar.
The wall inscriptions had already been completed and the artistic embellishment continued throughout the day.
Supti, a student of fine arts, said: "Our work will continue until 8pm. We are also painting alpana on the streets near TSC. Through our art, we hope to honour the Bangla language and pay tribute to the martyrs. May this tradition remain eternal."
Another fine arts student, Sourav Sarker, emphasized the day's significance, saying: "This is the greatest achievement of the Bengalee nation. We attained the right to speak our language through immense sacrifice. Through colorus and brushes, we will continue to depict this struggle. No matter where we are, we always return to this place on this day to paint the 'blood-stained' alpana as a mark of respect."
The artistic expressions through alpana and murals aim to capture the essence of Bengali heritage and culture while preserving the memory of those who sacrificed their lives for linguistic freedom.
