Countdown to Pahela Boishakh
Boishakhi Art camp at FFA of Dhaka University
Pahela Boishakh (first day of the Bengali year), the biggest celebration in secular Bengal, is just days away. One of the hubs of the Boishakhi celebration in the city -- Faculty of Fine Art of University of Dhaka -- is abuzz with preparations. The Mongol Shobha Jatra brought out by the students and teachers of Faculty of Fine Art (FFA) of Dhaka University is one of the major attractions of the Boishakhi celebration in Dhaka.
The theme for the year is “Onek Alo Jalte Hobe Moner Ondhokar-e”. Mongol Shobha Jatra will start at around 9am on Pahela Boishakh.
What draws one's attention are the huge bamboo frames which students are busy working on. They are working on replicas of a royal elephant delineating Jamini Roy's famous folk motif, a folk tiger, colourful birds, fish, a big tepa putul, goats, and a horse -- which will be among the main attractions.
FFA students are raising funds for the Mongol Shobha Jatra through the sale of watercolour paintings, lokkhishora, shokher hari, traditional terracotta gifts, masks and more. At the FFA premises students can be seen working on the paintings, traditional pottery and several other decorative pieces.
At an art camp at Zainul Gallery and FFA premises, renowned artists and teachers of FFA are taking part, boosting the number of paintings themed on Boishakh. Dean of FFA Professor Nisar Hossain, artist Biren Shome, Professor Shishir Bhattacharya, Mohammad Iqbal, Rashid Amin, Bipasha Hayat, Anisuzzaman Anis, Aloptogin Tushar, Bishwajit Goswami and others are making paintings for the art camp.
“It feels heavenly working at Charukala. It is always joyous to be here every time and I get nostalgic about my student days,” said Bipasha Hayat.
The sale is open from 10am to 10pm every day and will continue till Pahela Boishakh.
Prices of beautiful watercolour paintings, shora, masks, ornaments and many other crafts are comparatively low. Art lovers can pick up paintings from the open sale.
A fundraising art exhibition featuring works of noted Bangladeshi artists and FFA teachers will open at Zainul Gallery of FFA and continue till Pahela Boishakh (April 14). Like every year the students will paint the walls of FFA marking Pahela Boishakh.
Apart from the grand rally, a cultural programme will be held at Bakultala of FFA. Folk-themed cultural performances with Baul songs will dominate the event. A jatrapala will also be held at FFA premises the next day.