Sandesh by Shekhar: 1000 Possibilities

The good-natured and amicable Chandra Shekhar Shaha - fondly called 'Shekhar da' by all - is a whirlwind of stories and knowledge. A revered author, researcher, fashion designer, artist, and an expert on Bangladeshi crafts and culture, he is currently the President of National Crafts Council of Bangladesh (NCCB).

But more importantly for our context, he is a superbly observant person with endless curiosity. The man finds patterns, motifs and deigns on things many of us would never give a second look to. We wonder what it would be like to see the world through Shaha's eyes. 

A glimpse of that world can be found in his latest book, 'Sandesh', which was launched on February 04, 2017 at Bangladesh National Museum. It has been published by Nymphea Publication. The title subtexts of the book give an ample introduction: 'Ornamented Terracotta and Stone Moulds from Bangladesh'; Traditional Motifs: 1000 Possibilities'.

And 1000 or more possibilities is what Shaha's book promises to show. Essentially, it is a catalogue of myriad motifs we see on 'sandesh'. In the words of the brochure given on the inauguration day, "The traditional motifs are a wonderful blend of geometry and aesthetic design, using triangular, round, square, or oval shapes; some have pointed or angular structures. Shaha has reworked and fine-tuned these shapes with his artistic imagination." 

The book opens up a realm of motifs. For a fashion designer, for an artist, or even for an architect – basically for anyone working in the field of visual medium – this book is a gem. The treasure trove will undoubtedly be an inspiration when brainstorming for design ideas. 

Case in point is the exhibition undertaken by Deshi Dosh. The event, which took place at Nalini Kanta Bhattasali Hall, Bangladesh National Museum started on the same day as that of the book launch (February 04) and continued till February 06. 

The ten brands of Deshi Dosh came together to design and exhibit attires and lifestyle products based on the motifs – a tiny hint of the '1000 possibilities' Shaha writes about. 

Whether you are an artist or an enthusiast of Bengali crafts, this book is a must-have for your library.

By M H Haider 

Photo: Shahrear Kabir Heemel