The Rickshaw Art Of Bangladesh Is Now A UNESCO Intangible Heritage

You cannot move around Dhaka without spotting a handpainted rickshaw almost every five minutes. They are like a moving exhibition of art, and have become an iconic aspect of the capital city of Bangladesh. Almost every aspect of a rickshaw in Bangladesh is adorned and painted. The motifs of rickshaw art, also known as Rickshawchitra, is a unique decorative art and ornamentation on the body of the vehicle in Bangladesh. And it is now on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

On December 6, the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage inscribed "Rickshaws and Rickshaw Painting in Dhaka" on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

A Canvas For Stories

The rickshaw and rickshaw art define Dhaka and its inhabitants. Known as the "cycle rickshaw capital of the world," Bangladesh has more than a million three-wheeled pedicabs that are freely wandering the streets. Over half of them are in Dhaka. As a type of urban folk art, rickshaw painting has become an established part of this city's cultural legacy as it has been practiced and taught through the years by rickshaw mistris (the craftsmen) and the rickshaw artists. Rickshaw mistris work in rickshaw workshops, owned by a master rickshaw mistri, where related knowledge and skills are passed down from experienced artists and mistris to apprentices through hands-on training.

The rickshaw art of Bangladesh is being immortalised in many other art forms. And it has become an established part of the city’s cultural tradition, creating an emblematic feature of urban life in Dhaka City that has given birth to many social and cultural practices, rituals and events, including musical performances, exhibitions, seminars, workshops, and fairs.

Though all parts are merrily decorated, it is the rear of the chassis that hosts the paintings. The theme and subjects vary—from cinema artists to well-known buildings, and rural scenery to flowers like the shapla (water lily), the national flower of Bangladesh.

In Danger Of Fading Away

While announcing the addition of Dhaka rickshaw art to the Intangible Heritage list, Tim Curtis, Director of UNESCO New Delhi Regional Office for South Asia and UNESCO Representative for Bhutan, India, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka, said, that as modern forms of transport become more common, the number of rickshaws being used are diminishing, thereby putting the practice of Rickshaw Painting under threat. He explained that this significantly impacts the viability of the element and the livelihoods of practitioners of the craft, in particular the younger generation.

With this inscription, UNESCO looks forward to working with the communities and authorities involved to find innovative and sustainable ways of keeping this living heritage alive for future generations to come.