Murtaja Baseer Powerhouse of talent
Murtaja Baseer is considered one of the leading painters of Bangladesh who has established a unique style. Like his father, noted linguist and educationist Dr. Mohammad Shahidullah, Baseer is a powerhouse of talent.
The veteran painter shared his experience of and views on the Liberation War.
In 1971, Baseer escaped to Paris with his family, fearing arrest for his involvement in the independence movement. “After reaching Paris, I was shocked at the news of Dhaka's dreadful situation,†Baseer said.
It was during Baseer's stay in Paris that the “Epitaph for the Martyrs†series was done, inspired by the colours and unfamiliar forms enmeshed in stones that he found on a Parisian street.
Baseer said, “I think that we fought for independence, but we could not reach the goal of liberation. The government should ensure economic, social and cultural rights of the citizens, as proper development of a country is not possible without ensuring the rights of all.â€
Elaborating on the art scene in post-liberation Bangladesh, Baseer said that the stories of the Language Movement and Liberation War have often pervaded our theatre, literature and cinema. But the themes do not adequately appear in our art. This is a matter of much regret.
During the 1980s, a new feature had been added to Bangladeshi art scene. Painters started to widely exhibit their works abroad and many foreign painters have come here for exhibitions. The foreign artists exchanged their experiences and ideas with their Bangladeshi counterparts, he added.
At present, people in the country are gradually becoming more interested in the arts. The number of art exhibitions by both senior and promising artists has increased over the years, and consequently art galleries are mushrooming. The practice of arts is no longer confined to the city, said an optimistic Baseer.
The artist was born in 1932. He joined Dacca Art College (now the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka) as a student in 1949. He is still actively exploring the diverse world of art. He has done a series of works articulating contemporary life and issues. Hope, aspiration, longing, deprivation and visions are evoked with passion in his images.
Many are perhaps not familiar with Baseer's other identities as a poet, short story writer, novelist, researcher, numismatist and filmmaker. Baseer has written novels and was acclaimed for his meticulous style and unique choice of themes. Baseer has also worked as a screenplay writer, art director and chief assistant director for the Bangla film “Nadi O Nari†in 1964, and as an art director for the Urdu film “Kaise Kahoon†in 1965.
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