We are deeply dismayed to learn of the sorry state that the artworks of two of Bangladesh's most notable artists are currently in. According to a report published in this daily yesterday, a sculpture by Novera Ahmed and three murals of Hamidur Rahman are rotting away on the walls of Dhaka University Central Library due to negligence and lack of maintenance by authorities.

Besides becoming difficult to view, the artworks also bear other signs of abandonment such as dust, cracks, lack of light and ventilation, spider webs, discoloration, termite infestations, and splatters of paint from when adjoining walls and roofs were being repainted. Such neglect for the works of two artists who collaborated to design the historical Central Shaheed Minar in memory of our Language Martyrs is indeed shocking.

The original design of the Dhaka University library building by renowned architect Muzharul Islam has also been disrupted with new constructions.

Although both Novera Ahmed and Hamidur Rahman were great artists in their own rights, their work (most of which portray concepts of family, religion, nature, and everyday Bengali life and patriotism) holds national importance and needs to be cared for, wherever in the country they are situated. The neglect of these artworks is also the neglect of Bangladesh's own rich cultural history, whose conservation and preservation are already in dire straits due to lack of proper manpower and resources.

Hence, we would urge the concerned authorities to maintain and/or restore not only these four pieces by Novera Ahmed and Hamidur Rahman, along with Muzharul Islam's DU library building, or say, the Kamalapur Railway Station Plaza, but all other similar works of art and architecture which are in danger of being overshadowed by "development".