Exhibitions of terracotta ornaments in Mymensingh

Visitors look at terracotta ornaments by Shahidul Hasan, which highlight modern and traditional designs.Photo: STAR

An exhibition of terracotta ornaments was recently held at the Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Sangrahashala in the town. A keen audience got a look at the ornaments, which highlight modern and traditional designs. The credit for the unusual event must go to terracotta artiste Shahidul Hasan of Gelda, Savar who arranged the exhibition in Mymensingh. Around 300 designs of terracotta ornaments were on display at the exhibition.
Chief guest Alam Ara Begum, secretary of the National Museum, inaugurated the exhibition. Special guests included Keepers of the National Museum Jahangir Hossain and Dr. Zeenat Mahrukh Banu, and secretary of Mymensingh Press Club Zillur Rahman Khan. Dr. Bijoy Krishna Banik, Deputy Keeper of the art gallery presided over the inaugural function.
Artiste Shahidul Hasan delivered the welcome speech while Dulal Chandra Gain, assistant Keeper of the gallery conducted the function. The speakers unanimously congratulated the artiste for his endeavour.
A sizeable audience, mostly youngsters, thronged the gallery to get a glimpse of the eye-catching ornaments. Shahidul's designs are inspired by traditional 'Nakshi Kantha,' Mughal hand-fans, motifs on the walls of Kantaji temple, Lakkhihara of Manikganj, Charjapad as well as herbs, flowers, birds and traditional 'alpana.'
Said Shahidul, “I gathered indigenous Bangladeshi, African and Australian designs.” A post graduate from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Dhaka University, he has also done portraits of Maulana Bhashani, Preetilata Waddedar and more which occupy pride of place at Jahangirnagar University.
Lauding the excellent work by artiste Shahidul Hasan, Dulal Chandra Gain told The Daily Star that our traditional terracotta ornaments go back to time immemorial. “Contemporary artistes are often not interested in promoting our traditions. Shahidul's initiative, therefore, is commendable. Once upon a time, earthenware was an integral part of our lives. We have a close connection with terracotta and we should retrieve this lost heritage,” asserted Gain.