The Mangal Shobhajatra with its jubilant crowds, rhythmic beats, sculptures, motifs, and artworks adorn the streets every year during the Pohela Boishakh festivities.
Owls, birds, hand fans, colourful masks, and other items that are also part of Bangladeshi folk art are displayed in the vivid procession.
But what happens to these artistic creations once the celebrations draw to a close?
"Most of the artworks we craft are sold on Pohela Boishakh. Funding for the Mangal Shobhajatra comes from selling the students' artwork since there are no sponsors,” said Adib Ashraf, an organiser of this year’s Mangal Shobhajatra.
The sale starts weeks before 14 April and continues throughout the month, he added.
“People purchase these beautiful artworks all with a larger meaning not just to decorate their home, but as a part of their social activism,” Adib adds.
In a recent Facebook post by a page run by the organisers, it was announced that three pairs of large sculptures of kings and queens, intended for sale and use in the Mangal Shobhajatra procession are available.
Prices range from Tk60,000 to Tk100,000 for these artworks.
The prices vary based on the size and complexity of the artwork and the creator behind the work also masters in pricing.
It can be as low as Tk200 and as high as Tk100000, said Adib.
"These sales not only fund the event but also provide a platform for students to showcase and sell their creations," Adib adds.
Whatever is left is either distributed among students or stored for the following year.
As for environmental impact, Adib reassures that the artworks are eco-friendly.
"When colours are used, they're safe for the environment. They're mainly used for smaller artworks sold to decorate homes," he added.
The larger structures, however, have a different fate.
"No colours or materials are used on them. Initially built with bamboo frames, they are adorned with colourful paper. Sometimes, paper mesh is used for support. So, these structures don't harm the environment," Adib said.
He said the sculptures aren't meant to last.
"After a rain, the paper on top gets damaged, and once it's gone, the bamboo or wooden frames are either discarded or kept for next year's use," the Mangal Shobhajatra organiser said.
Like in previous years, the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University (DU) organised the Mangal Shobhajatra to celebrate Pohela Boishakh this year.
The procession, led by the DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ASM Maksud Kamal started from the Faculty of Fine Arts at 9:18am on Sunday (14 April).
The first-ever Mangal Shobhajatra was held in 1989 as an initiative of DU’s Fine Arts Department.
Since then, this procession has captured the attention of the public, becoming a part of Bengali New Year celebrations.
In 1996, the procession adopted the name "Mangal Shobhajatra."
Then, in 2016, on 30 November, it received recognition from UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
