The solo art exhibition by Potua Nazir Hossain titled “Bagher Deshe Boishakh (Boishakh in the Land of Tiger)” began at Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) in the capital on Friday.

The inaugural ceremony of the exhibition was held on Friday at 5pm at AFD's La Galerie, which was joined by eminent art critic Moinuddin Khaled and Dr Lilly Nicholls, High Commissioner of Canada in Bangladesh as the special guests.

 
Nazir Hossain’s artworks accentuate many different forms of the Royal Bengal Tiger in pattachitras that encapsulate many different folk elements of Bangla mythology. 

The Royal Bengal Tiger is not only a quadruped feline in the sense that it symbolizes the indomitable spirit of Bangladesh, and the artist tells that more gracefully through his art, through his pattachitras, with an amalgamated panoply of folk motifs, indigenous symbols and fables.

The fables in Hossain's artworks tell stories with vivid colours and aphorisms that are familiar and a cinch to figure out. Humorous situations in a bucolic setting like a tiger playing ektara or a tiger pulling a cart are sure to put a smile on the spectator's face, AFD states.

Hossain's unique yet relatable style has brought out a collection of artworks that are just beautifully well-timed for the upcoming Bangla New Year, it added.

As part of the Francophonie Festival 2024 celebration, organised by France, Switzerland and Canada - the exhibition will welcome visitors till Tuesday, April 2, Monday to Saturday from 3 pm to 8 pm.