Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, April 13, 2026 (BSS) - Rajshahi is ready to welcome the Bangla New Year with festive preparations underway across the city and Rajshahi University (RU).

This year's theme for the Pohela Boishakh celebration is ""Harmony of the New Year, Revival of Democracy." The objective of the theme is to spread messages of unity, harmony and the revival of democratic values in society.

Preparations for the Boishakhi procession are in full swing in Rajshahi with the aim of making Pohela Boishakh colorful and festive. Students of Rajshahi University are actively involved in the preparations in a vibrant atmosphere.

Teachers and students of the university's Faculty of Fine Arts are creating various colorful motifs reflecting Bengali heritage alongside contemporary global realities. This year, special emphasis has been placed on themes of war and fuel crisis.

AKM Ariful Islam, a teacher at the Faculty of Fine Arts said motifs are being prepared to reflect the current global situation, including symbols suggesting a possible return to traditional modes of transport such as horse-drawn carriages.

The main attractions of the procession will include horse and horse-drawn carriage motifs symbolizing strength, speed and tradition. Alongside these, motifs of the national fish Hilsa, childhood memories of tomtom carts, and masks of ancient kings, emperors and historical figures will be displayed. A special installation art piece is also planned to depict the global situation.

On a visit to the Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Academic Building, students were seen working day and night with bamboo, iron and paper to prepare the motifs, which are gradually taking shape with paint and design.
Nasir, a student of the Department of Pottery and Sculpture, said they are working with renewed enthusiasm this year and learning new skills while working with teachers.

Regarding funding, Professor Humayun Kabir of the Faculty of Fine Arts said preparations are being carried out with support from the university administration as well as personal contributions from teachers and students. He added that no commercial sponsorship has been taken to preserve cultural authenticity.

To avoid controversy and in line with government directives, the event is being organized as a Boishakhi procession without a centrally set theme. Measures are also being taken to limit fuel and electricity use, with activities expected to conclude by evening.

Organizers expect people from different parts of Rajshahi and nearby areas to join the procession and cultural programmes.

They also noted that expanding such inclusive festivals in rural areas could enhance social harmony and help build a more humane society.
Meanwhile, traditional Shokher Hari of Rajshahi's artisan Sushanta Kumar Pal is adding color to this year's celebration.

Potter Sushanta Kumar Pal of Basantapur in Paba upazila is busy producing clay pots, toys and decorative items ahead of Boishakh. His house is filled with various clay items including elephants, horses, deer, dolls and fish, some still being shaped while others are being painted.

The artistic designs on the clay products are attracting buyers ahead of the Boishakhi fair, with increased demand from Dhaka and other parts of the country.

Mrityunjay Kumar Pal and Ananda Kumar Pal, among the artisans, said demand rises significantly this year.