Transforming the mundane

Fahima Akther Sumona, 12, stood second in a drawing competition organised at Chittagong University (CU) three years ago.

That is how she got her start in drawing, and since then, she has created at least 100 pieces, but due to hardship she could not organise an exhibition.

She has to help her father at his tea stall, adjacent to the university’s Alaul Hall after school.

Some time ago, a student of the university came to know about her talent and asked her to use the wall of her father’s tea stall to display her artwork.

Taking that advice, she selected 40 pieces and attached those to the wall.

Sumona’s father Md Abu Sayeed said, students who come to his stall always praise those drawings and ask about the artist. He proudly replies that it was his daughter.

He said tearfully that he could not buy her any drawing materials as he has four other school-going children and it’s difficult to make ends meet. “She has done everything with her own effort,” he added.

“I do not want to bring her to my stall but it is quite hard for me to run it alone,” he said, adding he strongly believes that one day his daughter will definitely become famous through her art.

While talking to The Daily Star, Sumona said it is her long-cherished dream to become an artist.

Saving money from tiffin, she purchased watercolour and art paper for drawing.

“Some students of Chittagong University liked my work and got me colour pencils and paper as gifts,” she added.

Sumona, now a student of class eight, said she wants to study in fine arts at Dhaka University some day.