DHAKA, Dec 24 — Vibrant greens and swirling yellows, movie stars, birds and structure: Bangladesh’s bicycle rickshaw drivers have for many years used their transport as a novel transferring canvas of city folks art.
But many concern that regardless of being added by the United Nations cultural company this month to its record of intangible cultural heritage, the colorful craft is fading within the face of quicker, fashionable motorised rickshaws.
Rickshaw mechanic Mohammad Sabuj, 40, says he’s mourning the decline within the “lovely” work, which adorn the autos’ carriage covers, seats and footrests.
“It has grow to be uncommon these days,” he mentioned. “When I used to be youthful, rickshaws had been filled with vibrant art and designs — however these days the pattern has fallen.”
Rickshaw driver Shahid Ullah, 72, has been pedalling his bike for half a century by way of the congested and slim streets of Dhaka, a metropolis of round 20 million folks.
But as folks swap to vehicles and buses for transport — or motorised Chinese-made rickshaws with out the identical area on the body to hold the art — his commerce is disappearing.
Dying art
Ullah welcomed the Unesco choice this month to recognise the art, which it known as a “key a part of town’s cultural custom and a dynamic type of city folks art, offering inhabitants with a way of shared identification”.
The rickshaw art was considered one of dozens of practices that made Unesco’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity record on December 6, alongside Italian opera singing, Peru’s ceviche seafood dish, Thailand’s Songkran New Year competition and Ivory Coast’s conventional loincloth weaving.
“It’s factor for us,” Ullah mentioned. “We really feel proud.”
Unesco South Asia chief Tim Curtis mentioned that rickshaw portray was “below risk”, and that the itemizing would assist increase the craft by “discovering modern and sustainable methods of holding this residing heritage alive”.
Increasing prices of gasoline and different fundamental items have hit the craft onerous, mentioned mechanic Sabuj.
“Drivers have to pay extra to the rickshaw house owners than earlier than and the design additionally requires extra money now,” he mentioned.
Depending on the complexity of the design, portray prices between US$45-US$90 — as a lot as a 3rd of the price of a brand new bicycle rickshaw, which prices round US$230-US$270.
This {photograph} taken on December 14, 2023 exhibits bicycle rickshaw driver Mohammad Chan Mia posing for a portrait together with his automobile in Dhaka. — eNM pic
Painting prices are normally borne by the proprietor, who rents bikes out to drivers.
A brand new motorised rickshaw is dearer — between US$750-US$900 — however they’re seen as incomes a faster return.
Abdul Motaleb, one other rickshaw driver, mentioned folks admired the art however nonetheless used fashionable transport together with the packed metro system.
“People desire quicker autos,” Motaleb mentioned.
Rickshaw artist Hanif Pappu, 62, mentioned the variety of children coming to be taught the commerce had slumped.
“Now nobody sends their kids to be taught this art,” he mentioned. “They see that the trainers themselves are ravenous.”
For Pappu, the Unesco itemizing won’t halt the decline.
“It got here too late,” he mentioned. “Rickshaw portray is dying within the nation.”
‘Raw creation’
With the rickshaws weaving by way of the chaotic roads of Dhaka, Pappu mentioned the work had been a roving art exhibition carrying the creator’s message to a cellular viewers.
“Look at this, it’s a message of peace,” he mentioned, pointing to a portray of a tranquil rural scene with birds and a home that he mentioned was a reminder within the busy metropolis of the countryside many had left behind to search out jobs.
“It’s a message of a contented household,” he added. “We attempt to give such messages in our work.”
He is pleased with the colorful creations, which he has been portray since he was a boy, recalling how film posters had been as soon as well-liked designs.
“It is a heritage of Bangladesh,” he mentioned. “It is our personal uncooked creation.”
But Pappu worries for the long run.
“I might have left this work for the sufferings I confronted, however I didn’t as a result of I really feel it’s now combined with my blood. Will anybody keep on this occupation for 55 years like I did?” he mentioned.
“If this pattern continues, this business will vanish. It received’t survive.” — eNM
