‘Buddha of Bengal’ exhibition brings together 73 artists’ handiwork in Dhaka
Alliance Française de Dhaka is set to celebrate Buddha Purnima with the launch of an art exhibition titled "Awakening of Sacred Peace: The Buddha of Bengal", organised by the Oriental Art Practice Association and Learning Design Studio. The exhibition will open tomorrow at La Galerie.
Curated by Mikhail Idris, the exhibition features more than a hundred artworks by 73 artists from across Bangladesh. The works, inspired by the life, philosophy, and spiritual legacy of Gautama Buddha, explore Buddhist ideals through the lens of Oriental art traditions, merging traditional techniques with contemporary expressions.
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The artworks have been created using a wide range of mediums including oil, watercolour, gouache, wash, egg tempera, reverse painting, batik, charcoal, pen and ink, alcohol-based ink, and even ashes from the fire-ravaged Bangabazar—used as a symbol of transformation and rebirth. The exhibition also includes rickshaw paintings, cinema banner paintings, calligraphy, and needlework, highlighting Bangladesh's diverse artistic heritage.
A series of events will be held alongside the exhibition at Alliance Française de Dhaka:
On May 10 at 5pm, a seminar titled "Buddha's Philosophy and Charyapada" will be held, featuring Dr Saymon Zakaria, Nurunnabi Shanto, and Sadhika Srijoni Tania as speakers.
On May 13 at 6pm, a session titled "Gautama Buddha Jibanalekkhya" will present recitations, musical presentations, and readings based on Manoranjan Bala's "Gautama Buddha Gitikabya", with performances by Shah Alam Deyoan, Manoj Roy, Mazumder Biplab, and Anindya Amat.
An art discussion titled "Hīrakasūtra, Reflections of Buddha, and Oriental Printmaking Traditions" will take place on May 15 at 5pm, with a keynote address by Professor Dr Rashid Amin.
A cultural evening featuring performances of music, dance, and instrumental compositions will be held during the same day, at 7pm. Performers include Aritree Nandy, Prapti Ghosh, Bappy Paul, Badiuzzaman Khan (Omi), Arundhati Kar, Suborno Chakraborty Tonmoy, and Zahangir Alom.
The programme will conclude with a revival session on May 16 at 5pm titled "Songs of the Charyapadas by Mystic Practitioners", presented by Bhavnagar Foundation's mystic artist collective.
Founded in 2009, the Oriental Painting Study Group has been instrumental in promoting emerging artists through exhibitions, workshops, publications, scholarships, and community initiatives. Organisers hope that this exhibition and the accompanying events will promote messages of peace, harmony, and goodwill inspired by the teachings of Gautama Buddha.
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