Reach out to more people through art: Indian envoy

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram K Doraiswami today laid emphasis on an increased collaboration between Bangladeshi and Indian young artists to put together new ideas of art and reach out to more people through art.

"Through art, we hope to be able to reach out to much more people," the High Commissioner said, highly appreciating the artworks of Bangladeshi artists.

Vikram Doraiswami, accompanied by his wife Sangeeta Doraiswami, made the remarks while visiting the ongoing two-month long group art exhibition titled "Sheikh Hasina: On the Right Side of History" featuring 21 artists at Cosmos Centre in the city.

Deputy Managing Director of Cosmos Group Masud Jamil Khan, among others, was present.

The High Commissioner said Bangladesh is "uniquely talented" as the quality of arts that they see in Bangladesh are truly spectacular.

"This is the best time to celebrate our art. I think this is an important moment for us to celebrate art," he said adding that Bangladesh is in a wonderful historical juncture today and is set to celebrate 50 years of its independence, 50 years of friendship between Bangladesh and India in 2021; and birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The High Commissioner said art is the most fundamental expression by which they not only assert identities but also maintain history, culture and narrative.

Sharing how the two countries can celebrate, Doraiswami said they are open to have mutual exchange of art and will be happy to have partnership with Gallery Cosmos in organising art exhibition and art camps. "What we need is ideas. There should be regular programmes of art."

Gallery Cosmos in collaboration with the Cosmos Atelier71 recently hosted an art camp supported by the Cosmos Foundation on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the eldest daughter of Bangabandhu.

Artists Alakesh Ghosh, Ahmed Shamshuddoha, Sheikh Afzal, Nasir Ali Mamun, Bishwajit Goswami, Ratneshwar Shutradhar, Rasel Kanti, Monjur Rashid, Sourav Chowdhury, Maneek Bonik, Jayanta Sarkar, Azmol Hossain, Fida Hossain, Amit Nandi, Didarul Limon, Tamanna Afroz, Fahim Chowdhury, Miskatul Abir, Proshun Halder, Hasura Akter Rumky and Surovi Akter had participated in the camp. The artworks produced at the camp are being showcased at the exhibition.

The exhibition will remain open till February 12, 2021 at Cosmos Centre and it can only receive 20 visitors at any one time.

Visitors have been advised to wear masks all the time while visiting the exhibition and maintain appropriate distance from each other.