‘Union of Uniqueness’: Exposition by 2 contemporary artists

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

“The speed of thought, very second of impulse, sensation and reaction confronted with in the physical and emotional parameters and the tangled reality of the subjective and objective world is what I bring into portrayal within the exorcism of drawing and painting. I find my mind to be a vague ground of saturated landscape. Elements of space line, co lour is almost translation of the structured reality we perceive. I tend to bring juice out of the familiar to see the unfamiliar, eventually driven to ecstatic experience of life and to break my own preconceived ways of understanding. With various facets of desire reaction and survival … to exist into the never ending discovery of the mind, and how one can perform the transform pain sorrow and entire sorts of human emotions all that our eyes and other senses can follow, into virtually of painting,” said Bangladeshi artist Javed Jalil at an exposition of two contemporary artists from Bangladesh and India titled ‘Union of Uniqueness’ jointly organised by Art Club Bangladesh and Kolkata based Creative Art and Craft Centre at Art Club in Gulshan in the capital. The exhibition was concluded recently.

The Indian High Commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty inaugurated the 18-day duet exhibition. Earlier, the organisers jointly organised another exhibition in Mumbai in India.

Avijit Mukherjee, another participant artist from India, said, “When the whole world has been almost reduced to ashes by the act of terrorism its every corner is inundated by bloodshed.

When Art meets Art – Mubin S Khan

While the timing of ‘Union of Uniqueness’, a joint exhibition of two artists from two different countries, Javed Jalil from Bangladesh and Avijit Mukherjee from India, as well as the presence of the all too familiar Pinak Ranjan Chakraborty, the Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh on both the occasions, would allude to a relationship between it and the resumption of the Indo-Bangla train service, the Maitree Express, only a week earlier- it is anything but that.

One look at the work on display at the exhibition reminds us that art has always transcended man-made national boundaries, that it reaches to universal human emotions through the language of an artist’s personal journey, and perhaps, while those with a passion for politics and zealous patriotism would disagree, art has always travelled faster than the cumbersome journey made by nation states.

Both Javed Jalil and Avijit Mukherjee tell stories that stand true for Bangladeshis, Indians, the subcontinent, and the rest of the world. There are no Farakka Barrages, Maitree Express, border fences, exchange of criminals, BDR or BSF adorning the canvasses. Their language is not Bangladeshi or Indian, but a language constructed by themselves, influenced though it may be, not by nationality but by the history of art and its masters. While the two artists may own two different passports, the works on display claim ownership not to any country but to the kingdom of art.

A fan or connoisseur, however, cannot be rid of the pride of nationalism. And in that spirit, we can safely say, the rather lengthy deliberations on the nature of art are best represented through the works of our very own Javed Jalil. In 35 paintings done on both canvas and paper, Javed deals with a magnanimous range of emotions, but absolutely human in nature, which stands true for every man or woman of every nationality.

If one has witnessed Javed’s work in the past, he or she would know, that a significant part of him and his work is dedicated to the understanding, or in the least gaining perspective, on the complex nature of human relationships. ‘Love on the Cross’, ‘Animalistic Kiss’, ‘Mating Under’, ‘Twice of her love’, ‘Union of Rage’, ‘Nine + Five’, ‘Keys to Love’ all done with ink and a colour wash, deal with the complex predicaments of human relationship, be it man-woman or otherwise.

Buoyant colours of a brave heart

Anisur Rahman’s solo exhibition
Fayza Haq
Churiwali (Left) and Rhythm-2 by Anisur Rahman

Anisur Rahman’s solo exhibition at Art Club Bangladesh proves once again that an indomitable spirit can conquer physical limitations. Despite numerous operations on his brain and the fact that his right side had become paralysed, the artist has ventured into a laudable effort. Through lines, forms, textures and colours he has overcome his handicap and delighted his viewers with the flat-brush-strokes of his bright colours. He is deeply engrossed in human aspirations and dreams, which he expresses through his restless strokes and vivid colours. There are 48 entries at the exhibit.Artist Rafiqun Nabi says about Rahman’s work, “Anisur Rahman is a senior painter and my contemporary. He has taken human figures as his subjects. Anis has his own style and is not governed by techniques. His colour compositions are definitely laudable.”

Nahid Osman the curator of the gallery adds, “This exhibition features illustrations of day to day accounts from the artist’s diary. The feelings generated by his tormented sub-consciousness are depicted through the works of art. Through sheer determination, he has trained his left hand to continue with his work with perseverance. Anis finds the work therapeutic and through his hard work he re-establishes himself.”

“Most of my paintings are based on rhythm, hence I call the exhibition Rhythm of the Soul. The works are figurative with semi-abstract presentation. I use acrylic, as oil is difficult for me to handle. However, I try to retain the effect of oil,” says Anis.

On the Stage depicts a couple of thespians, done in red, brown, blue, black and green. Another piece shows how elder sisters look after their siblings. It has bright colours and quick brush strokes with circular lines and dots. Spring-2 brings in beauty of nature around. Gossiping shows women, some standing and some sitting, talking to their hearts content. Bright colours, once again are set off by dramatic black.

Fisherman shows a villager with a bright gamchha tied around his head. Untitled has suggestions of a face and a figure, with loud splashes of orange, yellow and blue.

Churiwali features a woman with a basket of bangles on her head. Her sari has a layer of net used as collage — which lends interest to the texture — and behind her are the barges where the gypsies live. The dominant hues are orange and yellow with splashes of green and black. Composition-4 brings in suggestions of flowers of different colours. Fallen Bird is a poignant image with splashes of blood.

Anisur Rahman has had exhibitions held in Pakistan and France. The artist has taken part in National and Asian Biennale exhibitions.

The exhibition ends on August 10.

Denise’s dream-world of earthy colours

Blending the old with the new
Fayza Haq
Art works by Denise Hudon

Denise Hudon, who lives and works in Bangladesh, had an exhibition of her works at Art Club Bangladesh recently. One was acquainted with her work by her exhibition at Alliance Francaise last year. She grows her own dyes in her kitchen garden and uses material like the veins of banana leaves for her canvas. Her colours are muted — madder, brown and beige. In them she puts block prints and paints swirls of paisley and alpona. She combines the art of the west with what she has learned from Africa, and now she mixes it with Subcontinental designs and motifs found in calligraphy and sari anchal designs. Her hues are so muted that they appear dream-like. In her work is a subtle combination of the east and west. She calls her exhibition “Reviving traditional arts into contemporary form”.Born in the heart of French Canada, with some native Red Indian blood in her veins, she uses flora as her subject. She painted murals during her formal education in fine arts. Later she entered ceramic sculpting. After that, for 15 years, she taught painting and ceramics. Even when she was in Canada in the eighties she used dried fibres of bamboo stalks discovered in the Chinese district and waste material recovered from store-room of shops in St Hubert Street. Earlier she had used recycled rag paper and cement bags. Learning from African artists in Togo, Ghana and Mali, she took to using vegetable fibres, like banana leaves, cabbage and leeks, in a big way. We see her close relationship with nature in her earthy tones. She uses dyes that she has collected from all over the world and from her garden. There is something both singular and universal in her work.

Her Gulshan has used bamboo, cotton and paper for the base. The dyes include n’pekou and galama. In the composition we see an embossed blossom in greyish white, set on a background of chocolate coloured squares. This is again placed on a burnt sienna rectangle. Autumn is done on paper made from cotton and bamboo. Safflower has been used for the dying and it brings large, delicate brown leaves that appear as if dusted over with powdered sugar. At the sides are rectangles dotted with motifs made from the fine central veins of tiny leaves.

Twilight zone is made from frangipani, cassia and fistula dyes. On a black base is a paisley pattern with flowers and leaves. The other motif is a matching piece in rich brown, and it appears somewhat abstract. Manuscript has delicate floral patterns backed with neat geometrical motifs. A chapter has papers of corn leaves and cotton for the base, while the dyes in it include black, indigo and marigold. We see an open book mounted on a pale beige backdrop. In the book itself we see intriguing characters. Motifs in indigo decorate the pages and a ribbon appears to run down the centre of the book.

Denise has exhibited in numerous places like Africa, Canada, Cambodia, Indonesia and Pakistan. She has taught in Canada and abroad.

Rhythm of the Soul- Anisur Rahman

Art Club Bangladesh is elated to present “Rhythm of the Soul” by contemporary artist Anisur Rahman starting on Friday the 3rd of August, 2007. The exhibition will be inaugurated by Aly Zaker, Actor & Advertising Mogul & Rafiqun Nabi, renowned contemporary artist & cartoonist, will be present as Special Guest & will comment on the life & work of the Artist. The Exhibition will be open for all from 11am – 8pm, everyday till the 10th of August @ The Art Club Bangladesh Fine Art Gallery, House # 4; Road # 104; Suite 3B; Gulshan 2.

“The Rhythm of the Soul”

The poet weaves poems with the aid of words & alphabets. Whereas a painter expresses the poetry in his soul with the aid of forms, line, texture & colour. “Rhythm of the Soul” is this poet’s rendition of his struggle in expressing the vibrations in his environment that moved his soul, through brush strokes & colour.  The poet, namely Anisur Rahman has come of age with his 5^th Solo titled “Rhythm of the Soul”. Through sheer determination & undaunted vigour Anisur has conquered his disability. Formerly, he used to adorn canvases with his right hand before his tragic accident that paralyzed the right side of his body. He trained his left hand to continue with his work only with the ammunition of his perseverance & resolve. He has composed 45 of his works for this exhibit with that same vigour & energy to prove his tenacity & vibrant life force to win against all odds. Anisur found painting therapeutic & through sincere hard work & zeal has re-established himself at the same platform he was recognized before tragedy engulfed his life.

 This exhibition is nothing but illustrations of accounts of the day-to-day, life-like pages of his own diary. The feelings generated by his tormented sub-consciousness are depicted through these works of art. The subject is very coherent with the various techniques & the bright colours. The random & loose usage of an array of flat-brush-strokes with a prism of colours is the key point of consistency in the confused & chaos inflicted world. He has tried to make a peaceful aura in incessant perplexity. The hints at abstract & semi realistic figures used in the background of mostly different non-chromatic colours are the main characters in his works of art. The usual scenes of rural, urban life & nostalgic boyhood scenes are depicted in ‘ the jumping fish at night’, ‘time frame’, ‘happy fisherman’, ‘churi wala, ‘model girl’, ‘gossiping’ & ‘baul’, etc. These are common subjects that this poets has drawn inspiration from & presented in his own, unique rendition. He draws inspiration from Mother Nature & also ‘Man’ in ‘his’ true essence. Anisur seems to be a captive bird struggling to escape its cage & fly free into the great wide open, carefree. Thus, a kind of impatient restlessness is marked in his creation that is strongly revealed & expressed through his work with ease. He is deeply absorbed into the human aspirations, hopes & dreams against prevailing odds & inequities but ultimately becomes successful & wins the races triumphantly. That is the joy of a creative man as he always intends to be.

by

Nahid Osman

Art & Culture

Art & Culture

Bangladesh is a melting pot of races. She, therefore, has a mixed culture. Her deep rooted heritage is amply reflected in her architecture, literature, dance, drama, music and painting. Bangladeshi culture is influenced by three great religions- Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam in successive order, with Islam having the most pervading and lasting impact. Like a colorful montage, the cultural tradition of the country is a happy blending of many variants, unique in diversity but in essence greatly symmetrical.

Festivals:
A series of festivals varying from race to race are observed here. Some of the Muslim rites are Eid-e-Miladunnabi, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Azha, Muharram etc. Hindus observe Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja, Kali Puja and many other pujas.  Christmas ( popularly called Baradin in Bangla ) is observed by Christians. Also there are some common festivities, which are observed countrywide  by people irrespective of races. Pahela Baishakh (the first day of Bangla year) is such a festival. National festivals are Independence Day (26th March), 21st February (the National Mourning Day and World Mother Language Day), The Victory Day (16th December), Rabindra & Nazrul Jayanti etc. 

 

Rabindranath Tagore

Literature:
Bangalees have a rich literary heritage. The earliest available specimen of Bengali literature is about a thousand years old. During the mediaeval period. Bengali Literature developed considerably with the patronage of Muslim rulers. Chandi Das, Daulat Kazi and Alaol are some of the famous poets of the period. The era of modern Bengali Literature began in the late nineteenth century Rabindranath Tagore, the Nobel Laureate is a vital part of Bangalee culture.  Kazi Nazrul Islam, Michael Madhusudan Datta. Sarat Chandra Chattopadhaya, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhaya, Mir Mosharraf Hossain and Kazi Ahdul Wadud are the pioneers of modern Bengali Literature.

 

A Bengal platter

 

 

A television network of Bengal, Tara recently hosted an event of music, art, film and food. On a bright sunny day at the India International Centre’s Rock Garden, the Haanir Khabar-Khunti Kadhai Food Festival was inaugurated near the Fountain Lawn. The festival, which continues till December 31, serves some of the best cuisine of the subcontinent.

Hailing from Bangladesh, the chef of the food festival Shawkat Osman, says he is from “the fluke plains of Bengal.” Here he presents some of his best dishes. The chef knocks down stereotypes by serving foods like the delicious rasam which, while it originates in South India, is popular as a soup as well as in combination with rice across the country. There are other excellent dishes like fish molli, mutton vindaloo, tomato chicken and moong khichri. While the latter is associated with Bengali cuisine, some of the chef’s dishes are the result of Anglo-Indian fusion.

The chef is interestingly also Chairman of New World Trade Industries Limited. His favourites are tomato chicken and fish molli , simply because they are easy to cook and healthy to eat.

Beside these hot and spicy dishes, one can also enjoy sweets like bread and butter pudding with or without a scoop of delicious vanilla ice cream.

“No love is as pure as love for food, as it is not at all diluted,” says the chef.

Tara network has arranged food festivals like this, previously in Mumbai.

KHUNTI KADAI

Khunti Kadai of Anglo Indian dishes with Nahid & Shawkat Osman
Friday 12:30 p.m. on Tara Newz
Anglo Indian recipes by Shawkat Osman of Bangladesh
This Week Chinese Menu

A highly popular cookery programme conducted by Shawkat Osman featuring
exotic recipes.

E-mail Address : shawkat1950@yahoo.com

This Week Chinese recipes

 

Serving Bangla bites

| Wednesday, April 13, 2005 Serving Bangla bites

Ipsita Deb, Himika Chaudhuri

(From top) Bangladeshi culinary experts Saukat and Nahid Osman at Sonargaon; Pictures by Rashbehari Das Flavours from across the eastern borders have wafted into the Sonargaon with the ongoing Bangladeshi food festival. Under the able guidance of culinary experts Saukat and Nahid Osman, authentic Bangladeshi recipes have been cooked up to celebrate Poila Baisakh with a 10-day food fiesta, ending April 17. ?Poila Baisakh is celebrated on a grand scale in Bangladesh. Starting at 5 am, the streets fill up and everyone is out to have a good time through song and dance, and especially food. Without the specially-cooked Ilish, no festival can ever be complete,? said Nahid. ?Cooking, eating and drinking are my passions. My mother and mother-in-law are excellent cooks. In fact, when I got married, my mother was rather worried that I might starve. Though my wife started her culinary journey as a novice, today she?s a better cook than both of them!? added Saukat. Nahid?s first official culinary visit to India was for a Bengali cooking show at the Hilton Hotel in Mumbai. ?The response was tremendous, with people queuing up to take tips. One of the people who used our recipes was Tarla Dalal,? she said. Speaking on the differences in Bangla and Bengali cooking, she explained how posto (poppy seeds) is very popular in Calcutta, while in Bangladesh it?s sesame seeds. With an extensive menu laid out for the festival, one can start with a Bhorhani (whisked yoghurt spiced with ginger, mustard and other spices) or Matha (whisked yoghurt diluted with water and seasoned). The Aalu Cheese Chop, Golda Chingri Chita Bhaji (shrimps cooked with red chilli paste and garlic) and Ilish Tikka (hilsa meatballs) are good options. Progressing to the main course, the Enchor (green jackfruit cooked in garam masala and ghee), Lebu dal (masur dal with paneer and lemon rind) and Potol Dolma Jhol (pointed gourd stuffed with spicy paneer) are sure to appeal to vegetarians. For fish and meat lovers, the Dhakaiya Golda (river prawn cooked in hot masala), Chital Khari (meat extracted from the hump of the chital fish) and Shorshe Mangsho (mutton cooked with yoghurt, mustard paste, green chilli, salt and garlic) are must-tries. A number of interesting vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis are also available. To round off the meal on a sweet note, one can choose from the Gur Payesh (pounded aromatic rice cooked with date molasses and thickened milk), Dudh Puya (rice cake cooked with milk solids, honey and milk) and Zarda Shemai (vermicelli cooked in ghee and garam masala).