Arts-&-Culture
'Winds of Flavour': Jahangir Hossain's solo exhibition begins at Abinta Gallery of Fine Arts
Internationally renowned Bangladeshi artist Jahangir Hossain’s exclusive solo art exhibition “Winds of Flavour” began on Friday at the Abinta Gallery of Fine Arts, Badda in the capital.
A total of 63 artworks are depicted in this exhibition, consisting of artworks mostly conducted in mixed media.
The exhibition's opening ceremony was held on Friday at 5:30 PM on the premises of Abinta Gallery of Fine Arts. Presided over by Nilu Rowshon Murshed, a profound Bangladeshi art patron and Abinta Gallery of Fine Arts chairperson, the opening ceremony was also joined by US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas alongside his wife Amy Haas.
Argentine Ambassador Marcelo C Cesa, prominent international artist Monirul Islam, eminent art educators including artist Farida Zaman, artist Hamiduzzaman, artist Mohammed Eunus and Foreign Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Md Nazrul Islam, were present as the guests of honor.
Artist Jahangir Hossain’s art projects the stories of human lives and the life of the East merging with the Western contemporary form of painting. The artworks in this exhibition reflect versatile human figures, compositions, and philosophical paintings along with nature in Western contemporary forms.
Abinta Gallery of Fine Arts (A project of Abinta Kabir Foundation) has always been a significant platform that has been spontaneously hosting exhibitions and art events – to promote the young and rising artists of Bangladesh for the prosperity of Bangladesh’s art and culture nationally and internationally. Considerably, the gallery, since its inception, has become an active hub of fine arts and creativity for the young and legendary artists of Bangladesh.
The exhibition will remain open for visitors till July 27.
‘Wolfed Down’: Laurie Cannac mesmerises Dhaka audiences as AFD hosts performance at BSA
Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) hosted a theatrical performance by Laurie Cannac titled “Wolfed Down” on July 9 and 10 at the Experimental Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), Segun Bagicha, in the capital.
Inspired by the famous European fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood” by the Brothers Grimm, this was a “one-woman show” and presented entirely in English by the very talented Laurie Cannac and a whole universe of puppets.
Directed by Ilka Schönbein with Laurie Cannac’s design and interpretation, Wolfed Down was nominated for the Molières Jeune Public Prize in 2010. This “Gothic” version of Little Red Riding Hood builds an eclectic connection between the puppet and the actress’s body, explores its animistic power, and successfully combines poetry and a sense of humour.
People's Theater Association honours 390 children with 'Manchakuri' and 'Manchamukul' medals
People's Theater Association, a cultural unit consisting of 262 ethnic minority and underprivileged children and youth drama organizations carrying out various activities for the past 33 years, awarded a total of 390 children and young cultural workers with its 'Manchakuri' and 'Manchamukul' medals.
The award ceremony and cultural program were held on Friday, July 5, at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy's National Theater Hall auditorium.
Planned by the founding President of People's Theater and Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Liaquat Ali Lucky, the awardees were selected from all over Bangladesh.
Prominent playwright, researcher and Associate Professor of BRAC University’s Department of Bengali Language and Literature Mahfuza Hilali delivered the welcome speech at the event, while Yasmin Ali, Head Teacher of Music and International Affairs Editor of People's Theater, delivered remarks as the guest speaker.
Among the representatives from child theatre activists, Samia Muttakia Mahua and Pushpita Bepari spoke at the event, which was presided over by Liaquat Ali Lucky.
“Since 1990, we have been showcasing and performing children's plays that are being performed all over the world today. We have to understand the power of children's plays in our Bengali literature and culture, and how deeply the world is evaluating our plays,” Lucky said at the event.
Following the discussion, youngsters from Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy's music and dance teams, along with the "Manchakuri" and "Manchamukul" cultural teams, presented a number of group music and dance performances.
People's Little Theatre presented “Banglar Mukh," a stage play written, planned and directed by Liaquat Ali Lucky. The event concluded with the award-giving ceremony.
Curtain raised on Bangladesh Press Photo Exhibition 2024 at Drik
Recognizing the achievements of press photographers working on Bangladesh's frontlines, the Bangladesh Press Photo Exhibition 2024, organised by Drik Picture Library, was inaugurated at Drik Gallery in the capital's Panthapath on Friday at 6 pm.
The exhibition showcases 30 selected photographs from the 3rd edition of the Bangladesh Press Photo Contest (BPPC), initiated by Drik in 2022.
The call for submission was announced on April 16 this year. Photojournalists submitted about one thousand photographs taken in 2023 on social, political, and cultural news elements.
One of the BPPC jury members and Drik's Managing Director Shahidul Alam, delivered the welcome address at the opening ceremony. In his speech, he said, “As far as I know, no press photo competition in the world has a public interest journalism category. Due to various reasons including media ownership, the work of the media is limited to party campaigns with pictures of celebrities or prime ministers.”
“The photographers of the images exhibited in the exhibition have done so at their own risk. By proving themselves through their work, photography of Bangladesh has reached far today,” Alam said.
Besides Shahidul Alam, the other jury members were Amal Akash, artist, singer and activist, Samageet; Monirul Alam, photojournalist, educator, EPA, Drik; Shoeb Faruquee, photographer, educator, Photobank Gallery; and Tasmima Hossain, Editor, The Daily Ittefaq.
During their remarks, they reflected on the contest and the selection process. Drik General Manager ASM Rezaur Rahman, also the exhibition curator, moderated the event.
Tasmima Hossain stated, "The work of a photojournalist is very challenging. There is a need for them to see everything with a different eye, but that eye is scarce today. Developing the youth through training is equally important."
The Picture of the Year 2023 was awarded to Quddus Alam of Focus Bangla, who received Tk 1,00,000 as prize money. Expressing his feelings, he said, “I started taking pictures in 1978, and after many struggles, I came to this place today. It would not have been possible to reach this stage without my wife's contribution."
Six other photographers under three categories were also awarded at the event. The winners are - Kazi Golam Kuddus Helal of FIAP and Honourable Mention Piyas Biswas of Newsbangla24.com (Arts, Culture and Sports); Nayem Ali of The Business Standard and Honourable Mention Md Sazid Hossain of The Daily Prothom Alo (Politics), Abdul Goni of Daily Ittefaq and Honourable Mention Syed Mahmudur Rahman of Dainik Bangla (Public Interest Journalism).
The winners and honourable mentions in each category received Tk 50,000 and Tk 10,000 respectively, alongside crests and certificates.
Denim Chakma was the winner of the Indigenous Community Grant 2024 and received Tk 50,000. He is the second winner after Drik introduced the grant in 2023. The announcement was made at the event by photographer and writer Jannatul Mawa.
While receiving the grant certificate, Denim Chakma said, “Taking photos in the hills of Chittagong while feels like a war. There is always a war situation. Predicting what will happen is impossible.”
The first Indigenous Community Grant winner Paddmini Chakma also exhibited some of her photographs in the exhibition.
Press photographs have proven to be a reliable source of news even in an age of fake news, making press photographers one of the most threatened professions. While Bangladeshi photographers have been celebrated globally in recent years, there is no formal recognition of their talent or valuation of their contribution to the nation, according to Drik.
To celebrate the achievements of these courageous individuals who tirelessly gather news on the frontlines, the exhibition will remain open to the public till July 26, every day from 3 pm to 8 pm.
‘Actuality of Fiction’: Uttam Kumar Roy’s solo exhibition at AFD
Artist Uttam Kumar Roy’s solo art exhibition ‘The Actuality of Fiction’ (Golper Bastobota) began at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) on Friday.
Eminent artist Monirul Islam joined the exhibition’s opening ceremony as the chief guest, while eminent sculptor Alak Roy, Professor Mohammad Eunus, Chairman of the Art Bangla Foundation, and Md Fazlur Rahman, Secretary, Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts (BAFA) also attended the event as the special guests.
The mobility of life, in which the artist is located, his entity is beaming with that in many ways. The stress of the psychological degradation that people constantly face is formed by the realm of mind of Uttam Kumar Roy where he wants to discover the truth of the root with visual acuity.
This is the reality of the story behind his artworks which are being showcased in this exhibition, and it is unveiled through feeling the pressure and mental agony being born in the perception of life every moment. These feelings create special images in the neurons of the artist’s brain and imagery gradually transforms into a scenario through several psychological stages.
The creative process often begins with a cause that triggers a mental reaction, leading to realization and ultimately culminating in the creation of artwork. As the artist delves deeper, motifs arise in harmony with the chosen colour technique, and this artistic journey varies in complexity and simplicity, a testament to the unique paths taken by different artists.
Uttam Kumar Roy, born in Dinajpur, Bangladesh on July 1, 1975, showed a strong interest in art from a young age. He pursued his passion by completing a 5-year course in Drawing and Painting at the Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts (BAFA) in Dhaka in 2001.
In addition to his artistic education, he pursued scientific studies and earned a Master of Science degree in Botany from Jagannath University, Dhaka in 1998, demonstrating his diverse academic background. This unique combination of scientific rigour and artistic creativity characterizes his educational journey.
In his teaching career at BAFA, Roy shares his extensive knowledge and experience in visual arts to educate and inspire future artists. His dedication to teaching contributes to the development of aspiring artists.
Roy’s artistic excellence has been acknowledged through numerous awards both nationally and internationally. In Bangladesh, he was honoured with the National Best Award (New Media) at the 22nd National Art Exhibition by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in 2017 and the National Best Award at the 17th National Art Exhibition by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in 2007.
Additionally, Roy has also participated in prestigious artist residencies, including the 5th Artist Residency in Kyoto, Japan in 2015.
Curated by Mustafa Zaman, the exhibition will be open to all till Tuesday, July 16, Monday to Saturday from 3 pm to 9 pm (closed on Sunday).
Chhayanaut pays homage to poet Sufia Kamal with monsoon melodies
Chhayanaut, the country’s esteemed cultural institution, has organized its annual monsoon celebration event titled ‘Begum Sufia Kamal ke Nibedito Chhayanaut er Borshar Onushthan’ (Chhayanaut’s Monsoon Celebration dedicated to Begum Sufia Kamal) at its auditorium in the capital’s Dhanmondi on Friday evening.
Dedicated to the iconic Bengali poet and Chhayanaut’s founding President Begum Sufia Kamal, the event showcased several versatile musical presentations by the institution’s esteemed artists.
The program started at 6:30 pm with a majestic performance by two back-to-back Sammelak Gaan (group songs) titled “Esho Shyamolosundoro” and “Chanchal Shyamol Elo Gogone” followed by a tribute talk on the late eminent poet.
After that, a total of 10 specialised songs representing different ‘Raag’s were performed simultaneously with 10 solo performances.
Raag Yaman Kalyan Mahian by Kabir Jowardar, Raag Gouro Mollar by Laeka Bashir, Raag Chhayanaut by Swapna Saha, Raag Bageshree Kannara by Kaniz Husna Ahmadi Simpi, Raag Mirabaiki Mollar by Shomudro Shubhom, Raag Tilokkamod by Shusmita Debnath Shuchi, Raag Ramdasi Mollar by Prateek Rosario, Raag Kedar by Priyonto Deb, Raag Joyjoyonti by Minhajul Islam Imon and Raag Megho Mollar was performed by Afroza Rupa at the event.
Each of these songs was followed by the solo performances of Mostafizur Rahman Turzo, Laisa Ahmad Lisa, Sutpa Saha, Semanti Manjari, Dipro Nishanth, Nahian Durdana Shuchi, Bijon Chandra Mistri, Maksudur Rahman Mohit Khan, Sumon Majumdar and Mirazul Jannat Sonia, who performed Rabindra Sangeet one by one. The event concluded with a group performance of the national anthem.
Begum Sufia Kamal established Chhayanaut at the end of 1961 along with several other like-minded cultural personalities. The nation celebrated the 113th birth anniversary of the iconic poet, organizer and cultural personality on June 20 this year.
BSA hosts art, music, dance and film appreciation courses
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) has been once again hosting several appreciation courses for the calendar year 2024.
This year, the organization has been organizing four appreciation courses to equip the aspirants with the necessary knowledge in four different branches of culture - art, music, dance and film.
The Art Appreciation Course 2024 was held at BSA’s National Art Gallery auditorium on June 25 and 26, from 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm under the management of the BSA Fine Arts Department. Artists Sabyasachi Hazra and Aktaruzzaman Rana provided training in this two-day appreciation course to a total of 60 participants.
The module covered insightful training on different branches, techniques and timelines of art including Renaissance to 17th century, Neoclassicism to Impressionism, Post-Impressionism and Expressionism, Cubism, Dada, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, Numedia Art, Mughal Miniatures to Bengal School, Art of Bangladesh, Shahid Minar of Bangladesh, Memorials and Paintings of Liberation War, Folk Art, Art and Society, Aesthetics, Charupath: Design and Illustration (Theoretical), Charupath: Practical Art and more - with a focus on the use of art for the excellence and development of art, art terminology, aesthetic sense, artistic thinking and writing.
BSA Secretary Salahuddin Ahmed and Director of Fine Arts Department Mini Karim were present on the opening day of the workshop, while BSA Director General Liaquat Ali Lucky awarded certificates to the course participants on the concluding day.
The Music Appreciation Course 2024 was conducted on June 26 and 27, from 5 to 8 pm under the direction of BSA's Music, Dance, and Recitation Department. The course covered different topics including the use of music for excellence and development in writing, music terminology, aesthetic sense, musical thinking, and art and aesthetics, along with developmental music, music education and appreciation, music and journalism, and music healing therapy.
A total of 90 trainees participated in this Music Appreciation Course and received valuable insights from esteemed trainers including former Dhaka University Department of English Professor and critic Dr Syed Manjurul Islam; Ethnomusicologist, Head of the Department, Assistant Professor at the Department of Folk Music at Government Music College and resource person of Rabindra Creative Arts University Dr Kamol Khalid; Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Government Music College Dipankar Das; Art and Cultural Journalist Abdullah Al Mamun, and MSc in Medical Music Therapy (MMT) from Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Pondicherry, India Jannatul Kawsar Prattyasha.
The two-day Dance Appreciation Course will be held on June 28 and 29 from 5.30 pm - 8.30 pm at BSA, under the management of its Music, Dance and Recitation Department to create a basis for constructive discussion and criticism on the importance of theoretical education in dance, dance as an art medium and dance as an art medium. The course will shed its spotlight on dance criticism, the role of Rabindranath Tagore, Uday Shankar and Bulbul Chowdhury in the evolution of dance, classical dance and Bengali dance styles and more. A total of 100 trainees will participate in the appreciation course, according to BSA.
Eminent dance personalities including Sharmila Bandopadhyay, Tamanna Rahman, Belayet Hossain Khan, Saju Ahmed, Dr Saidur Rahman, Dr Nigar Chowdhury, Afrina Afroz Chowdhury, Benazir Salam, Warda Rehab, and Dr Manjulika Rahman will provide training in this course, and certificates will be awarded to the course participants on the concluding day.
The Film Appreciation Course, which will be led by film critic Bidhan Riberu, Shamim Akhtar, and director Nurul Alam Atiq, will be held on June 28 and 29 under the management of BSA's Drama and Film Department. A total of 40 participants will take part in this two-day course and will be handed over certificates on the concluding day.
Mashruk Ahmed’s photo exhibit ‘The War Is Not Over Yet’ opens at AFD
On Friday, Bangladeshi freelance documentary photographer Mashruk Ahmed’s research-based project exhibition ‘The War Is Not Over Yet’ began at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD).
Curated by ASM Rezaur Rahman, the exhibition’s opening ceremony was joined by several special guests including Mofidul Hoque, writer, researcher and trustee of the Bangladesh Liberation War Museum; Navine Murshid, writer and associate professor of Political Science at Colgate University, USA; Durjoy Rahman, art collector and founder of the Durjoy Bangladesh Foundation (DBF); Saiful Huq Omi, photographer and founder of Counter Foto; and Francois Grosjean, director, Alliance Française de Dhaka.
An ongoing research-based project by Mashruk Ahmed, this exhibition 'War Is Not Over Yet' showcases the integration of photography, videography, and archival materials, through which the artist collaborates with women freedom fighters to explore their personal narratives. According to the photographer, the exhibition also aims to provide a sanctuary for their stories and experiences.
Ever since the Liberation War in 1971, the many women who fought for Bangladesh’s independence alongside their male counterparts have not received the recognition that they deserve. Only three have been awarded the title ‘Bir Protik’, as opposed to 426 men.
The title ‘Birangona’ (‘War Heroine’) was instead given to women survivors of sexual violence during the war. These women soon found themselves exploited once again, often by men who would take for themselves financial rewards promised to the women, leaving them to suffer the stigma of a conservative society alone.
“The war isn’t over yet. It is now a war declared on women by a patriarchal society that has stripped them of their identity and selfhood, disregarding all that they sacrificed in the struggle for our independence. This war will not be over until the women who fought for our independence are acknowledged, compensated for their sacrifices, and honoured, as they deserve to be,” according to Mashruk.
A freelance documentary photographer born and raised in Bangladesh, Mashruk Ahmed pursued his photography studies at CounterFoto and is currently based in Dhaka.
Supported by Durjoy Bangladesh Foundation (DBF), the exhibition will be open to all till June 26, every day from 3 pm to 9 pm.
Arka FW day 2: Massive crowd at Aloki to enjoy seminar, fashion shows, marketplace and more
The ongoing Arka Fashion Week has already garnered a huge response from the festive attendees, and this four-day fashion carnival saw an influx of crowds every day, joining different segments.
Friday marked the second day of Arka FW, which is currently ongoing at Aloki in the capital’s Gulshan-Tejgaon Link Road from June 13-16, and the second day of Arka FW featured a total of 8 runway shows in four different slots.
One of the major highlights of the festive Friday was the engaging seminar on Tangail Tant in the early afternoon, titled ‘Tangail Tant Weaving the Future: The Role of Tradition in Contemporary Fashion’ featuring esteemed panellists including Kizzy Tahnin, Program Officer of Culture at UNESCO; Md Ayub Ali, Project Lead of Handloom Board; Raghunath Basak, President of Tangail Saree Byabshayee Shomiti; Chandra Shekhar Shaha, President of National Craft Council of Bangladesh (NCCB); and Sarmily Sarkar, Head & Assistant Professor of Fashion Studies Department at BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology (BUFT). Renowned corporate personality Zeeshan Kingshuk Huq moderated the session.
Second Arka Fashion Week begins in style
The first fashion show took place after the seminar, featuring Tangail Tant-themed dresses curated by Afsana Ferdousi who instructed 15 design students who went to Tangail to buy fabric, make two runway outfits each and showcase on the inaugural runway show of this year’s Arka FW. Azim Uddaula's show was in the second part of this slot, featuring men's clothing of various designs and cuts.
Second Arka Fashion Week begins in style
The much anticipated second Arka Fashion begin at the Aloki Convention Center, Tejgaon in the capital on Thursday, intending to democratize fashion along with other exciting offerings.
Initiated by Arka Studio, the Summer edition of Arka Fashion Week comes with a commitment to provide equitable opportunities to all kinds of designers and brands in Bangladesh, after its massively successful inaugural edition back in October last year.
The first day of the four-day fashion week saw a bustling Marketplace with 80 stalls and was alive with a brilliant assortment of fashion and cultural festivals, despite the afternoon rain, resuming the transforming journey for the nation's fashion sector.
The event is featuring specially curated runway shows, clothes and accessories by the country’s best brands and designers, a dedicated food zone and diverse musical performances every night, along with its other exciting offerings - a dedicated Marketplace, an innovative Design Lab, The Runway and several exhibitions and exclusive seminars on different fashion-related topics.
The Marketplace, the heart of the event, is showcasing entrepreneurs and brands made and most importantly - designed in Bangladesh - offering a wide variety of fashion, fashion accessories, and fashion-related products. A core philosophy to expect among the brands to be found in the Marketplace is sustainability, and most participants of ARKA Fashion Week Marketplace are small boutiques and/or e-commerce/f-commerce brands.