Zainul Festival and Art Fair 2017 begins today
The Faculty of Fine Art (FFA), University of Dhaka (DU) is holding its two-day Zainul Festival and Art Fair 2017 from today at its premises, to mark Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin's 103rd birth anniversary (December 29).
FFA, popularly known as Charukala, has been organising Zainul Festival since 2009. Renowned artist Professor Nisar Hossain - also the Dean of FFA, DU gives his take on the festival in a recent conversation with the Daily Star. Excerpts:
“Charukala will wear a festive look at the Zainul Festival and Art Fair 2017. Eminent artists, teachers of FFA, Vice Chancellor of University of Dhaka and people from all walks of life will place wreaths at the grave of Shilpacharya at 8:30 in the morning. The festival will set off at 10am with a Tagore song by noted singer Shama Rahman.”
“Apart from the Zainul Fair, the opening day will feature the conferment of Zainul Sammanona, discussion, display and sale of artworks by all the departments of FFA, and a cultural programme in the evening. Promising artist Imran will hold an exclusive exhibition themed on the works of our opulent folk art heritage. The FFA authority will honour three eminent artists: professors Mustafa Monwar and Rafiqun Nabi (Bangladesh) and Sanat Kar (India) with Zainul Sammanona this year.”
“The opening day will also feature cultural programmes held at Bakultala, where artistes of FFA, DU, Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology and a palagaan troupe from Tangail will perform. Based on the famous painting "Monpura 70" by Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, a documentary film on the same title will be screened at 6:30pm on the opening day of the festival. Pradip Ghosh has directed the film.”
“The Zainul Fair will exclusively showcase and sell art pieces by students and teachers of all the departments of FFA, DU. There will also be several stalls where local artisans will display and sell their art and crafts products. Folk artistes with traditional instruments like dhol will keep the Charukala premises vibrant and rhythmic with their pulsating beats and music.”
“Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor will inaugurate the festival as chief guest. Ambassador M Shahidul Islam, the secretary general of BIMSTEC; Professor Md Akhtaruzzaman, Vice Chancellor of University of Dhaka and Mainul Abedin, youngest son of Shilpacharya will attended the event as special guests.”