Binodon Desk:

As Bangla year 1430 knocks at the door, different institutions and cultural organisations in the capital are rushing against the clock to complete their preparations for celebrating Pahela Baishakh.

Like every year, fine arts faculty of Dhaka University would bring out Mangal Shobhajatra and Chhayanaut would organise a cultural show at the Ramna Batamul to celebrate the advent of Bangla year 1430 on April 14.

On Monday, students of fine arts faculty of Dhaka University were seen busy taking preparations for Mangal Shobhajatra, a colourful procession, which has been being organised since 1989 to celebrate Bangla New Year.

This year’s procession will include structures of five animals, namely a peacock, a tiger, an elephant, a nilgai, a sheep alongside a structure of a mother with her child.

Students of the 24th batch of the FFA are leading preparations for Mangal Shobhajatra this year, which will be brought out with the slogan Barisha Dhara Majhe Shantir Bari.

Achinta Saha Roy, joint convener of the Mangal Shobhajatra organising committee, said, ‘We have already completed 65 per cent of structures’ work, and we are hopeful about completing the structures in time.’

Students are raising funds for the upcoming procession by selling artworks.

Based on folk motifs, different colourful artworks, namely paintings, handheld fans, clay pots with colourful paintings, handheld colourful masks and others are on display on the FFA premises for sale.

Meanwhile, a Supreme Court lawyer Mahmudul Hassan on Sunday sent a legal notice to halt the Mangal Shobhajatra, which is scheduled to begin at 9:00am on April 14.

Mangal Shobhajatra organising committee member secretary Nazir Hossain Khan said that the organisers were not showing interest in the notice rather thinking about successfully organising the procession.

He urged people from all walks of life to participate in the event and make it a success.

Tasfeha Tabassum Godhuly, a student of 24th batch of the FFA, said that students were tirelessly working to welcome the New Year 1430.

Mangal Shobhajatra was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016.

Chhayanaut is taking preparations for organising cultural show at Ramna Batamul on April 14.

The announcement was made at a press conference held at the auditorium of Chhayanaut Sangskriti Bhaban in the capital on Monday.

Chhayanaut vice presidents Atiur Rahman and Khairul Anam Shakil, general secretary Laisa Ahmed Lisa and joint secretary Jayanta Roy were present at the press conference.

Laisa Ahmed Lisa read a written speech at the programme.

She said that Chhayanaut artistes would welcome Bangla year 1430 performing Ahir Bhairab raga with the slogan ‘Dur Koro Atiter Sokol Abarjana, Dhoro Nirbhay Gaan’.

‘The whole programme will feature songs on nature, human relationship, patriotism, self-understanding and awakening,’ she said.

She mentioned that Chhayanaut artistes have been rehearsing for the past two months for the upcoming cultural show scheduled to be held at Ramna Batamul at 6:15 am on Pahela Baishakh.

Laisa Ahmed Lisa added that the stage would be ready for 150 artistes to welcome Bangla year.

Besides, cultural organisation Wrishiz Shilpi Gosthi will welcome Bangla year organising a programme in front of Shishu Park at the Shahbag area at 7:30am.