Published on 12:00 AM, December 29, 2019

Syed Jahangir remembered

Syed Jahangir

Veteran painter Syed Jahangir is one of the most significant contributors to the fine arts in Bangladesh. He was a former director of the Fine Arts department of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Today is the first death anniversary of the painter. He passed away at his residence in Dhaka at the age of 83 last year. Remembering Syed Jahangir on his departure day, his family members seeks blessings from everyone.  

Nature and seasons were prominent characteristics of Syed Jahangir’s paintings. His style was simple, which made his creations remarkable. The inspiration for Jahangir's paintings were in-depth observations of rural Bangladesh, its people and the economic hardships they endure.

Syed Jahangir was born on January 1, 1935, in Tetulia, Satkhira. After working as a professional painter for nearlu 22 years, he joined Shilpakala Academy as the department head of the Arts Faculty in 1977. During his tenure, BSA launched the Department of Fine Arts. Jahangir also made a notable contribution to launching the Asian Art Biennale of Bangladesh. His popular paintings include Attmar Ujjibon, Ullas, Dhoni, Ojana-Oneshya and Osoni-Sangket. After his death in 2018, he was laid to rest in his village.

He won the Ekushey Padak in 1985. He also received the Bangladesh Charushilpi Sangsad Honour Award in 1992, the Michael Madhusudan Academy Award in 2000, the Shashi Bhushan Honourable Award in 2005, Lifetime Achievement Award by Berger Bangladesh in 2010 and Hamidur Rahman Award in 2011.

On his death anniversary, in remembrance of him, a prayer and discussion was organised at home and abroad.