Artist Anika Roy Spotlights Rickshaw Painting's Cultural Significance at Kansas State University
Young Bangladeshi visual artist Anika Roy recently captivated audiences at Kansas State University of Missouri with her insights on rickshaw painting. Despite no records indicating her personal recognition as intangible cultural heritage by any institution in December 2023, her lecture shed light on the artistic significance of this traditional form.
Roy delivered her talk, titled 'Rickshaw Painting: Illustration in Urban Landscape Representing Marginal Community', at the 'Wind of Wisdom: Dialogues in Landscape, Culture and Design' event. Organised by the Student Chapter of National Association of Minority Landscape Architects, the event provided a platform for Roy to explore the relevance of contemporary and traditional visual narratives in rickshaw painting for the masses.
Roy analysed the artistic language and symbolism in rickshaw painting, highlighting how it reflects urban life. She noted that most rickshaw painters are self-taught, working-class creators who transformed enamel paint into a national visual language, contributing to Bangladesh's urban aesthetic.
While there are no search results indicating Anika Roy's personal declaration as intangible cultural heritage, her lecture at Kansas State University showcased the cultural significance of rickshaw painting. In December 2023, UNESCO recognised rickshaws and rickshaw painting in Dhaka as an intangible cultural heritage, further cementing its importance in Bangladesh's cultural landscape.
