History, heritage come alive in colourful procession

A colourful ‘Dhaka Procession’ was held in the capital on Friday as part of the month-long ‘Hridoye Dhaka 416’ festival, organised by Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) to showcase the city’s rich history, heritage and culture to the younger generation.

Thousands of people, including children, youths and the elderly, joined the procession, which began in Old Dhaka’s Laxmibazar, passed through several city streets and ended at Nagar Bhaban.

The celebration created a vibrant atmosphere, showcasing Dhaka’s archaeological landmarks, traditional culture, food, modes of transport and various aspects of urban life on large canvases.

Among the landmarks depicted were Lalbagh Fort, Ahsan Manzil, Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, the Central Shaheed Minar, Lal Kuthi, Tara Mosque, Dhakeshwari Temple, the Buddhist Temple and historic Dhaka Gate.

A major attraction of the procession was the portrayal of historical figures who contributed to the establishment and development of Dhaka. Participants dressed as historical personalities, including Queen Victoria, Nawab Khwaja Ahsanullah, Neela Nag (Ray), Nicholas Pogose, Jinnabai and Pari Bibi, brought the city’s past to life.

The procession also featured traditional Old Dhaka delicacies, including bakarkhani, Nanna Biryani and Beauty Lassi, as well as steamers, horse-drawn carriages and palanquins recalling the city’s past modes of transport.

Speaking to the media after the procession, DSCC administrator Abdus Salam said the initiative aimed to foster citizens’ love, sense of belonging and responsibility towards Dhaka.

“We have launched the month-long ‘Hridoye Dhaka 416’ festival to showcase Dhaka’s history and heritage to its residents and the rest of the world. We sincerely thank the city’s residents for their spontaneous participation in the programme,” he said.