Folk in focus at Mongol Shobhajatra

To usher in Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bangla New Year, artists, cultural organisations and schools across the country and Bangalees living around the world are all set to hail the year 1423 through various programmes. 

Artists of the Faculty of Fine Art (FFA), University of Dhaka (DU) were busy for almost a month to make their Mongol Shobhajatra a grand success. Teachers, students and alumni of FFA were busy yesterday giving final touches to the giant structures of mother and child, king and queen, boat, ox, horse, fish, tepa putul, birds, elephants and other folk motifs.

The outer wall of FFA wears a new look with numerous folk designs. Artists have extensively worked to enliven the wall with palanquin, horse rider, pied piper, conch player, village women, tree, floral motifs, tiger, owl and many other designs.

A number of flamboyant masks that will be on display at the colourful procession are complete. Large masks made with paper, papier-mâché and fiber are in the making to augment the visual delight of Mongol Shobhajatra. 

Students of FFA were seen busy yesterday decorating the Fine Art School (inside FFA, DU) with a new lease of life.

Diverse folk themed designs that speak of our time-honoured heritage and culture reign supreme in this year's Mongol Shobhajtra. The theme for this year's Mongol Shobhajatra has been determined as “Ontor Momo Bikoshito Koro Ontorotoro Hey” to embrace the path of humanity broadening our inner souls and conscience. This year's rally, led by Vice Chancellor of DU and accompanied by FFA Dean, teachers, students and people from all walks of life, will start at 9am from FFA premises.