Tagore on Canvas
Marking the 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, Bangladesh and India have jointly organised a ten-day art exhibition at National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
The exhibition features reproductions of 100 paintings by Tagore and artworks based on the bard's stories, poems and songs by 150 Bangladeshi artists. The latter, done by the artists representing different generations, demonstrate their respective views on Tagore and his creative world. Also on display are 21 portraits of Tagore, by celebrated painters of Bangladesh and India.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Information and Cultural Affairs Minister Abul Kalam Azad on May 6.
Featured artists include Aminul Islam, Ganesh Halui, Bijon Chowdhury, Lalu Prashad Shau, Murtaja Baseer, Robin Mondol, Qayyum Chowdhury, Sunil Das, Jogen Chowdhury, Samarjit Roy Chowdhury, Dhiraj Chowdhury, Hashem Khan, Rafiqun Nabi, Shahabuddin Ahmed, Shahid Kabir, Monsurul Karim, Farida Zaman, Shishir Bhattacharya, Rokeya Sultana, Ranjit Das and Rafi Haque.
The portraits follow various styles. The sketches have a distinct touch of realism and focus on every detail of the poet's visage -- known and imagined. Most highlight compositions and the character's dynamism.
Works of Shahid Kabir, Mohammad Iqbal and promising painter Tarikat Islam are based on Tagore's famed creation, "Krishnokoli". Portrait of Tagore by Tarikat is characterised by cubism. Crimson and black are noticeable colours. Eyes are the significant features in Mohammad Iqbal's oil painting -- bearing the poet's contemplative look. Sheikh Afzal Hossain's portrait of the bard has a sombre look.
Biren Shome interprets the Rabindra Sangeet "Surer Agun Lagiye Diley" through the image of a teenage girl and birds amidst nature along with a portrait of Tagore (acrylic on canvas).
Samarjit Roy Chowdhury's work (acrylic on canvas) -- replete with folk elements -- features twisted lines with some of his recurring motifs like birds, flowers and the moon.
Paintings of veteran artists -- Murtaja Baseer, Quayyum Chowdhury, Hashem Khan and Rafiqun Nabi -- bear their personal traits, techniques and approaches. Portraits by these painters look vibrant and soulful; bold colours and great arrangement of compositions are reasons behind that.
Rainy sky in the painting "Emon Din-e Taare Bola Jaye", by noted artist Mustafa Monwar, conveys a mental image that has become ever-familiar thanks to Tagore's verses. Monwar's painting reveals a serene rural atmosphere.
Among others, Khalid Mahmud Mithu's artwork (done in acrylic) magnificently presents Tagore's face; particularly the poet's dreamy eyes.
Chittagong-based painter Dilara Begum Jolly's painting provides a thematic representation of the Tagore novel "Gharey Bairey".
Gulshan Hossain's acrylic-based painting symbolically addresses Tagore's influence on our literature.
Maksuda Iqbal Nipa's oil painting portrays the eternal bond between a man and woman. The painter highlights specific parts of the face and seeks to explore emotions.
The exhibition will continue till May 15.
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