The “mongol shova jatra”, one of the main attractions of Pahela Baishakh celebrations, would be presented with a new look this year to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of artist Zainul Abedin.
Preparation for the traditional parade to welcome Bangla New Year 1421 are in full swing at Dhaka University’s Faculty of Fine Arts.
With the theme, “resist fear and rise to create a prosperous Bangladesh”, the 26th shova jatra will start at 9am on Monday from the DU campus at Shahbagh.
“We will create a likeness of Zainul Abedin sir to present in the rally. Besides, we decided to make eleven models this year, instead of the usual five or six,” Abdul Malek Saju, a Masters student of the painting department told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.
Several students were busy making giant statues with natural materials, like straw, cane, cork and paper, under the watchful eyes of their teachers.
Depictions of a woman and child, a fawn, an owl, fish and ducks symbolising prosperity; a prawn in the mouth of a cat and peacocks representing folk culture; and a tiger and the legendary hunter, Gazi, embodying people’s power during bad times would be carried in the parade.
Besides, hundreds of paper masks have been made for parade participants.
The students, meanwhile, have been collecting funds for the event by selling their own paintings, pottery, masks and trinkets.
“We do not have any sponsors. So, we collect funds by selling our art work. Due to the recent political crisis, we could not sell as many painting as expected. But we have overcome the problem now, and the shova jatra would be held this year in a big way,” Saju said.
Many people were seen roaming around the faculty premises to purchase the art work.
Prices of paintings ranged from Tk400 to Tk3,000, while painted terracotta items started at Tk500.
“I am very excited this year. This is the first Pahela Baishakh rally where I am actively taking part. We have been working for the past 25 days,” said Nishat Jahan Hira, a first-year student who was selling terracotta pottery.
Syed Abul Barq Alvi, dean of the fine arts faculty and convener of the Pahela Baishakh celebration committee, said this year’s theme was set in regards to the country’s culture and present political climate.
“The students have been working hard for many days to make the rally a success. A new dimension will be added this year to mark Zainul Abedin’s 100th birth anniversary,” he said.
Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, who died in May 1976, was the founding principal of the then art institute which opened in 1948.
