rickshaw art UNESCO, heritage

Rickshaw art takes centre stage at Alliance Française de Dhaka

Titled “Rickshaw Artistry: A World Heritage”, the exhibition highlights vibrant, hand-painted posters of superhit films, including the legendary action movie “Shodor Ghater Kuli”, which starred renowned Dhallywood actor Rubel and was directed by Raqibul Alam Raqib.

Battery-powered rickshaw is the way forward

It is essential to bring the entire rickshaw industry under government administration.

#Perspective / Traditions treasured, artisans in shadows: Is UNESCO's recognition truly benefiting local craftspeople?

On 6 December 2023, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced the inclusion of Bangladesh's iconic rickshaws and rickshaw art on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Similarly, many of our heritage crafts, namely the traditional art of Jamdani and Shital Pati weaving were given recognition by UNESCO in 2013 and 2017 respectively. But how are our artisans doing?

How did rickshaws become our heritage?

When exactly did we start appreciating the rickshaw, to a point that we now consider it to be part of our collective identity?

The story of rickshaw art in Bangladesh

Rickshaw painting is an art unique to Bangladesh with its unusual burst of colours. What started with a view to attracting more customers with colourful rickshaws has now become an ambassador of our lives. UNESCO recently recognised rickshaws and rickshaw paintings as intangible cultural heritage.

January 9, 2025
January 9, 2025

Rickshaw art takes centre stage at Alliance Française de Dhaka

Titled “Rickshaw Artistry: A World Heritage”, the exhibition highlights vibrant, hand-painted posters of superhit films, including the legendary action movie “Shodor Ghater Kuli”, which starred renowned Dhallywood actor Rubel and was directed by Raqibul Alam Raqib.

October 23, 2024
October 23, 2024

Battery-powered rickshaw is the way forward

It is essential to bring the entire rickshaw industry under government administration.

April 18, 2024
April 18, 2024

Traditions treasured, artisans in shadows: Is UNESCO's recognition truly benefiting local craftspeople?

On 6 December 2023, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced the inclusion of Bangladesh's iconic rickshaws and rickshaw art on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Similarly, many of our heritage crafts, namely the traditional art of Jamdani and Shital Pati weaving were given recognition by UNESCO in 2013 and 2017 respectively. But how are our artisans doing?

December 22, 2023
December 22, 2023

How did rickshaws become our heritage?

When exactly did we start appreciating the rickshaw, to a point that we now consider it to be part of our collective identity?

December 7, 2023
December 7, 2023

The story of rickshaw art in Bangladesh

Rickshaw painting is an art unique to Bangladesh with its unusual burst of colours. What started with a view to attracting more customers with colourful rickshaws has now become an ambassador of our lives. UNESCO recently recognised rickshaws and rickshaw paintings as intangible cultural heritage.