The Faculty of Fine Art (FFA), Dhaka University observed the birth centenary of Shilapaguru Safiuddin Ahmed, the pioneer of Printmaking in Bangladesh, through various events on Friday and Thursday at the FFA campus in the capital.

The two-day commemorative fest featured the ceremony of 'Shilpaguru Safiuddin Ahmed Sammanna-2022,' commemorative seminars, the inauguration of a special exhibition, cultural events and a rendezvous of artists from different artistic backgrounds.

As part of the birth centenary celebration of Shilpaguru Safiuddin Ahmed, the 'Shilpaguru Safiuddin Ahmed Sammanna-2022' was awarded on Friday to seven eminent Bangladeshi artists by the Faculty of Fine Arts and Printmaking Department of Dhaka University.

Eminent Printmaker Kalidas Karmakar (posthumous), artist Professor Mohammad Kibria (posthumous), legendary cartoonist Professor Rafiqun Nabi, Bangladeshi-Spanish artist Monirul Islam, artist Professor Mahmudul Haque (posthumous), artist Shahid Kabir and artist Professor Abul Barq Alvi received this prestigious award, presented by Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor in charge and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Muhammad Samad on Friday at the Bakultala of the Faculty of Fine Arts.

The crests were received on behalf of the late artists by Mohammad Kibria's son Nashrid Kibria, Mahmudul Haque's wife Shikha Mahmud, Kalidas Karmakar's sister Sanchita Karmakar, and Shahid Kabir's niece Maliha Masud.

Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts Prof Nisar Hossain, artist and son of the Shilpaguru Ahmed Nazir, Chairman of Durjoy Foundation Durjoy Rahman Joy, Convener of Shilpaguru Safiuddin Ahmed Birth Centenary Celebration Council Professor Rokeya Sultana and Member-Secretary Professor Anisuzzaman spoke at the ceremony, which was presided over by the Printmaking Department Chairman Sheikh Mohammad Rokonuzzaman.

Earlier on Thursday, different departments of the FFA including Printmaking, Drawing and Painting, Graphic Design, Oriental Art, Craft, History of Art, Sculpture, and Ceramics, alongside several art organizations including the Bengal Foundation, Gallery Chitrak, Gallery Cosmos, Safiuddin Shilpalay and Fine Arts department of Jagannath University, among others, paid tribute to the artist by placing floral wreaths at his grave.

A commemorative seminar was held after that at the Osman Jamal Auditorium of the FFA, joined by eminent artist and cartoonist Professor Rafiqun Nabi as the chief guest.

Shilpaguru’s son artist Ahmed Nazir, Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin’s son engineer Moinul Abedin, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Fine Arts Department Director Syeda Mahbuba Karim, DU FFA Dean Professor Nisar Hossain were present as special guests at the seminar, while Dhaka University Bangla department chairman Syed Azizul Huq was present as discussant, who shed light on the Shilpaguru as a journeyman, fostering Bangladeshi art.

Following the seminar, an exhibition titled "Paramparay Chhapchitra" was inaugurated at the Zainul Gallery I and II and at the artwork collection room, featuring artworks created by 170 eminent and aspiring artists such as Somnath Hore, Quamrul Hassan, Mohammad Kibria, Aminul Islam, Murtaja Baseer, Bijan Choudhury, Devdas Chakraborty, Hamiduzzaman Khan, Rokeya Sultana, and Nisar Hossain.

Several artworks of the Shilpaguru have been featured in the artwork collection area, including an oil on canvas piece titled Portrait of Hamidur Rahman and wood engraving works titled ‘Santal Women,’ ‘On Way to the Fair,’ among others.

The exhibition will welcome art admirers till June 30.