Mohammad Abu Saba: An inspired craftsman

The magic and beauty of creation.Photo: STAR

Mohammad Abu Sama, a police constable posted in the detective branch of police, Mymensingh has demonstrated his creativity through over 200 craft works of birds, elephants, deer, tigers, trees, flower tubs and wall mats, among others.
Sama, 48, son of Mozaffar Ali Mandal, was born in the village Shengua under Sharishabari upazila of Jamalpur district. He joined the police service in 1981. “I had a deep passion for art since childhood. Propelled by a strong desire to do something creative in my free time in January 2007 I decided to go into fashioning crafts,” said Sama.
Sama had no teacher to guide him in this creative endeavour and relied purely on his own ideas. “I want to depict rural Bangladesh, the very essence of the country, through my works. That is why I made the hijol trees adorned with birds of different species. So far I have crafted some 100 birds of different kinds like peacock, crow, sparrow, dove, crane, parrot, heron, martin, owl and tailor bird,” he said.
Simple and cheap elements go into the art works. For example, for crafting birds, Sama uses cork sheet, feathers of hens and ducks, colours and glue. For creating animals, he uses paper, colours and glue.
In his wall mats Sama depicts the natural beauty of the country and its national monuments. The wall mats are made with feathers and glue.
When Sama is transferred he takes his precious art works along. “I cannot sleep if my art works are not near by,” said Sama, who currently resides in Police Line High School in the town with his neatly arranged art works in a room.
If there is a blot on this pretty picture, it is that Sama has been unable to hold an exhibition of his art works due to financial constraints. “Through such works, one can be inspired to greater heights of creativity,” added Sama, the father of three children. “My family, especially my wife, inspires me greatly in my artistic endeavours,” he said.
Abu Sama expressed his gratitude to Mymensingh Police Superintendent Khandaker Golam Faruq and Reserve Inspector of Mymensingh Police Line Md. Abul Hossain for their support of his craft.
As for the future, Sama said that after his retirement, he would promote his art commercially. For the moment, he concluded, he sought inspiration from various quarters so the art works could be popularised among art lovers.