In the streets and alleys of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, there is a flowing art that uses rickshaws as canvas and life as paint to create colorful and lively paintings. This is the unique art form of rickshaw painting in Bangladesh, which originates from folk culture and is full of vitality. In 2023, Bangladeshi rickshaw painting was recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. The history of Bangladeshi rickshaw painting can be traced back to Dhaka before the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947. At the beginning of the 20th century, hand pulled rickshaws were popular in Kolkata, India. Around 1938, rickshaws began to appear in the Dhaka region, and by the mid to late 1940s, rickshaws and their paintings had become very popular in Dhaka. The original purpose of rickshaw painting was to attract passengers, but due to its rich artistic expression, it gradually became an important part of Bangladesh's local art and traditional culture. The creation theme of Bangladeshi rickshaw painting is closely related to the change and development of the times. Early rickshaw paintings were mostly themed around religious stories and mythological legends, conveying reverence for gods and love for life through bright colors and exaggerated images. In the 1950s and 1960s, paintings based on portraits of movie stars were very popular. Before and after Bangladesh fought for independence, artists documented the heroic deeds of the independence war through rickshaw paintings. After the 1970s, Bangladesh entered a period of reconstruction and development after independence, and rickshaw drawing began to incorporate more modern elements, such as movie star comics, imagined urban landscapes, rural life, and natural scenery. Among them, the Bangladesh Martyrs Memorial, the National Parliament Building, and the Central Shahid Tower are the main themes of contemporary rickshaw paintings. In recent years, the Ban Chao Du Bridge located on the Jamuna River has become a new favorite of rickshaw painting. Due to the ban on drawing human figures on rickshaws, animals have become the main theme for rickshaw artists, resulting in unique flowing landscapes such as foxes controlling traffic and tigers walking on the road. In addition, various fables, fairy tales, legends, etc. are the subject matter of rickshaw painting. Some works depict the story of Aladdin's magic lamp, while others depict the Bedouin people driving camels in the desert, and brave Bengalis fighting against giant beasts, which are also one of the favorite creative themes of rickshaw artists. In terms of artistic form, rickshaw painting is known for its unique color scheme and style. Bold colors such as bright yellow, bright red, blue and green constitute the visual identity of Bangladesh rickshaw painting. In terms of style, in contrast to the "academic" art influenced by Western culture in South Asia, rickshaw painting is an art completely rooted in Bangladesh. Most traditional rickshaw painting artists have not received formal art education, and their painting skills and artistic styles are entirely derived from observations of life and a unique understanding of beauty, which is a spontaneous creative behavior. It is this non academic free creation that endows rickshaw painting with unique personality and charm. Every painting is a natural expression of the artist's inner emotions and a sincere expression of the rich and diverse culture and life of Bangladesh. The development of modern technology has brought certain challenges to the art of rickshaw painting. Traditional rickshaw painting is handmade by artists on a rickshaw. Nowadays, digital printing is widely used. Faced with the impact of printed materials, rickshaw artists constantly seek innovation and breakthroughs, painting various representative scenes of Bangladesh, such as rice harvesting, courtyard leisure, riverbank sunset, etc. These works are sent abroad and become a window to showcase the geographical and cultural characteristics of Bangladesh. Artists from other fields in Bangladesh are also very enthusiastic about recreating the local folk art resource of rickshaw painting. In the field of fashion design, local designers in Bangladesh have incorporated elements of rickshaw painting into modern clothing, creating a unique fashion style. Famous local fashion designer Bibi Russell has long regarded rickshaw painting as the main design element. In her wooden bracelets, bags, clothing and other products, various patterns related to rickshaws can be seen. In the field of contemporary art, rickshaw painting has also shown new vitality. In 2022, rickshaw painter Depan Das, along with many Bangladeshi artists, participated in the famous cultural and artistic exhibition - the 15th Kassel Documenta Exhibition held in Germany. Bangladeshi artists showcase the characteristics and cultural diversity of Bangladeshi art to the world through rickshaw paintings. The rickshaw paintings of Bangladesh are like a flowing historical scroll, not only carrying the historical memory of Bangladesh, but also reflecting the changes in social development and people's lives in Bangladesh. As a treasure of Bangladeshi folk art, rickshaw painting originates from the daily life of Bangladeshi people, and contains strong local flavor and national characteristics. With its free creative techniques and unique artistic style, it shows the wisdom and creativity of Bangladeshi people. Looking at the world, rickshaw painting presents an art form that transcends the Western artistic framework. It is based on the local culture of Bangladesh and embodies a diverse and inclusive artistic spirit. With its unique artistic charm and profound cultural connotations, it has become one of the cultural symbols of Bangladesh. (New Society)