In her latest superb attempt, Kanakchampa has traced the origin and spread of Buddhism. Her interest in the subject lies in the fact that she comes from Rangamati, and her parents are Buddhists. In her gorgeous display, she presents the conception, birth, life and the achievement of nirvana by Buddha (also known as Siddharta, before his enlightenment). She has even imagined caves, with stalactites and stalagmites, and with powerful symbols, has presented her theme with an impact. She presents her subjects with great care on each canvas and mixed-media, framed with soft or sharp bars. The figures are held within frames, while motifs are added with imagination, care and perfection.

Her Dream of Mahamaya, seen in this exhibit, depicts her mixed-media work, with her nonpareil lyricism. There is a lady reposing on a chariot, with her dream of a child symbolised by a baby elephant. We see this held on in a bar of ochre, with twirling, gliding leaves and tendrils, and gentle autumn leaves in the backdrop, done in reds, greens, turquoise and other bold, joyous tints. An attendant is fanning the princess. The effect is soft, poised and graceful. Balancing this image is a line on the left of the composition, with crosses and bars. Streams and lakes are included in the work. There could be nothing more complete and exact in a painting, perhaps, for an artist fairly young, like Kanakchampa. Yet, she is not heady or flushed with success with her work. The painting presents a satisfied and happy mind.

We find the same mind-whirling images, as we progress on to Buddha's facing of the reality in the world around. Kanakchampa has managed to present the truth with daring and swift strokes-- even the problems that Buddha was faced with, once he realised the poverty, hunger and unending suffering in the world beyond the palace that he lived in as a youth. Even when Buddha achieved nirvana, as he did sitting under the pipul tree, in India,

Having watched Kanakchampa toiling away ceaselessly in her studio, which she shares with her husband K M Mithu, one continues to admire her work. In her 20 minutes parley with The Daily Star, she presented the image of a painter, confident about the response from the connoisseurs and art lovers in Dhaka. Yet another feather in the cap for Kanakchampa, who was adjudged the best "Top 10 woman personalities of Bangladesh" of the 20th century by the "Anannya" Award in 1994. She has won 10 awards, has had 5 solo exhibits, and has been included in 117 group exhibitions at home and overseas.