Mongol Shovajatra steps in 35 years

Chattogram is going to mark the 35th anniversary by bringing out 'Mongol Shovajatra' this year.Though, celebrating Pahela Boishakh, the first day of Bangla New Year, started in 1978 (Bangla 1384) in Chattogram to bid adieu to the outgoing Bangla year on the very last day of Chaitra, 'Mongol Shovajatra' was brought out for the first time in 1984 in front of the DC Hill. In 2006, Chattogram Charu Shilpi Sammilon, a organization of the former students of then Chattogram Fine Arts College, port city dwellers were being participated at 'Mongol Shovajatra' which is bringing out on the first day of Boishakh.

This year's Mongol Shovajatra, which was declared as World Heritage by UNESCO on November 30, 2006, featured under 'Nondito Shwadesh, Nondito Boishakh'. Associate Professor of Fine Arts Institute of Chittagong University Pronob Mitro said, 'Mongol Shovajatra will highlight endanger states of Karnofuli River. Featured as woman face, there will be a ring in one ear and another will remain empty. Present and former faculties, students of Fine Arts and people from all walks of life will participate at Mongol Shovajatra holding different types of portraits of fishes, boats and masks".

Convener of Pohela Boishakh Celebration Council Ahmed Iqbal Haydar said, "People gathered in front of DC Hill to celebrate Pahela Boishakh in the last day of Chaitro in 1984 ignoring the barriers of then autocracy and celebrated Mongol Shovajatra with drums, banners and festoons. After that we couldn't organize Mongol Shovajatra for a long time for different reasons". Over the years, now New Year celebration gets different dimension after the declaration as world heritage Mongol Shovajatra.

Mongol Shovajatra, bringing out from CU Fine Arts Institute is considered as the main Shovajatra whereas other schools, colleges, universities and cultural institutions bring out Shovajatra from their own premises. Now, Mongol Shovajatra, once was used as a cultural protest against autocracy, become a medium of Bengali heritage. Besides, people wants to forget their previous sorrows and failures and hopes to start a new journey of happiness and success with this celebration.