Sunday marks the 110th Birth Anniversary of the master painter and pioneering art maestro Zainul Abedin, widely revered as the 'Shilpacharya' (great master of fine arts). Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin was born on December 29, 1914, in Kishoreganj in then-British India, and was a key figure in the establishment of the Dhaka University Faculty of Fine Art (FFA) and the Folk Art Museum in Sonargaon, Narayanganj. The artist community is celebrating the 110th birth anniversary of the Shilpacharya with a variety of celebrations, most notably the traditional three-day ‘Zainul Utshab’ on December 27, 28 and 29 by Dhaka University's Faculty of Fine Art and Bangladesh Folk Art & Crafts Foundation, every day from 10 am to 8 pm. The festival commenced with an inaugural ceremony on Friday (27 December) at 10 am, at the courtyard of the DU Faculty of Fine Art. DU Treasurer Professor M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury inaugurated the event. The event was also joined by Dhaka University Proctor and Associate Professor Saifuddin Ahmed, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Art Professor Dr Azharul Islam Sheikh, Emeritus Professor Abul Hashem Khan, art maestro Professor Dr Md Abdus Sattar, Shilpacharya’s youngest son Engineer Mainul Abedin, Director of the Bangladesh Folk and Craft Foundation Kazi Mahbubul Alam, CEO of Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited Md Mohsin Habib Chowdhury, and fashion house Bishwa Rong founder-owner Biplab Saha, among others. After the inaugural ceremony, the exhibition of artworks created by various artists commenced. On the second day of the festival, Professor Abdus Sattar delivered a commemorative lecture on Saturday at 3:30 pm. On Sunday, the concluding day of the festival, the Faculty of Fine Art and other art organisations placed floral wreaths on the grave of the Shilpacharya at 9 am. This year, the prestigious ‘Zainul Award 2024' award was presented to Professor Mizanur Rahim and Professor Rafiqul Alam. Bishwajit Roy's solo sculpture exhibition 'Haat Katali' opens at AFD Zainul Abedin earned global respect for his 1943 illustrations of the Bengal famine. He visited Palestinian camps in Syria and Jordan in 1970 and made 60–70 paintings of the refugees there, adding another example of his calibre as a modern, international artist. During childhood, he discovered his love of art while a young child frolicking by the Brahmaputra river. His motherland, Bangladesh (then East Pakistan), welcomed him back after he graduated from the Government Art School in Kolkata in 1932. However, shortly after the Indian subcontinent was divided in 1947, he permanently departed Kolkata and returned to his motherland in Bangladesh. The Dhaka Art Institute was subsequently founded with active help from Zainul Abedin, who was appointed as the institute's principal in 1949. The institute later developed into Dhaka University's Faculty of Fine Art. The institute became the hub of fine arts practices in then East Pakistan and actively participated in historical foundation events of independent Bangladesh such as the 1952 Language Movement and the 1971 Liberation War under the_ artistic leadership of Zainul. He retired from the Dhaka Art Institute in 1967 and was conferred the honorary title of Shilpacharya (great master of fine arts) by the institute. Before taking the mantle of Shilpacharya, Zainul Abedin received two years of training from the Slade School of Fine Art in London and developed a new style of art called the 'Bengali style' featuring folk art forms with their geometric shapes including the usage of semi-abstract representation and primary colours. However, he lacked the sense of perspective, realised the limitations of folk art, and went back to nature, rural life and the daily struggles of people to make art that would be realistic but modern in appearance, thus being the pioneer of modern artistic style in the subcontinent. Known for the simple yet majestic projection of natural and social hazards, Zainul painted the 1970 Bhola cyclone that devastated then East Pakistan, portraying the effect of the cyclone through his painting ‘Monpura’. As a fond lover of folk arts, Zainul formed Charu O Karu Shilpi Sangram Parishad and also collected a large number of traditional crafts, ceramic works, and nakshi kanthas in his lifetime which he preserved through founding the Folk Art Museum at Sonargaon, Narayanganj in 1975. He also founded the Zainul Abedin Sangrahashala, a gallery of his works at the Shaheeb Quarter Park on the bank of his nostalgia-infused Brahmaputra River in Mymensingh in the same year. In 1973, Zainul received an honorary D.Litt from Delhi University. He was declared the National Professor of Bangladesh in 1975. NASA honoured the iconic artist by naming a crater on the planet Mercury after the painter, called the 'Abedin Crater' in 2009. The revered artist passed away in Dhaka on May 28, 1976, after losing his battle with lung cancer. He was buried beside the Dhaka University Central Mosque.

Artist Bishwajit Roy's solo sculpture exhibition 'Hat Katali' was inaugurated at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) on Friday at 5 pm. The exhibition was inaugurated by eminent contemporary visual artist Mahbubur Rahman. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy’s Fine Arts Director Mustafa Zaman was also present at the inauguration. Bishwajit Roy, a native of Sundarbans’ Channir Chack village in Khulna, derives inspiration from the region's unique biodiversity and folklore. 'Hat Katali' symbolizes the cultural and historical essence of the Sundarbans’ wildlife and its critical ecological value. The exhibition highlights the region’s biodiversity, including the endangered Bengal tiger and other animals, emphasizing the need for conservation through creative storytelling. Curtain rises on 6th National Sculpture Exhibition at BSA Bishwajit Roy's art revolves around nature, mythology, and the Sundarbans' socio-political narratives, bringing forth a blend of tradition and modernity. The artist employs materials such as ceramic, terracotta and natural materials to explore the untamed spirit of the Sundarbans’ natural heritage. The exhibition will remain open to the public until January 7, 2025, everyday 5 pm to 9 pm except for Sunday.

The Bhumi Gallery and Gallery Shilpangan are set to embrace and mesmerize art enthusiasts and connoisseurs with the art exhibition titled ‘Epic Journey of a Migratory Bird’ by the contemporary artist Syed Golam Dastagir in the capital's Lalmatia, opening on December 28. The art exhibition will be inaugurated by Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed and will be presided over by the distinguished artist Hamiduzzaman Khan. The inextricable relationship between a person and nature begins at birth and marks a nomadic voyage of wandering souls into alleys that carry the history, legacy, and colors of eons and epochs. The artist documented this visual journey in his evocative work under this exhibition by using various forms of colors and canvas. He portrayed this epic journey with great eloquence that is experienced not only through sight but also conscience that defies barriers and borders and is a reminder of the interconnectedness and coexistence of life. This solo exhibition comprises the works of the artist’s over a decade-long project, started from 2010 to 2024, and depicts the journey of migratory birds through vulnerability and resilience. Around 40 curated artworks will be displayed for the visitors at the exhibition, showcasing the artist’s unwavering dedication and toil to express and manifest his inner monologues, understanding, epiphany and liberty, which ought to create an impeccable connection between the viewers and a greater perspective. Read:  Curtain rises on 6th National Sculpture Exhibition at BSA This exhibition is a floating anecdote that aims to give the audience a new context of seeing and perceiving the palpable nuances in objectivity and attitude, leading to the moment of realization through the passage of time. While this project explores the relationship between a bird’s flight and its visual perception, Dastagir examines the birds’ perpetual movement and struggle for survival and dissects the observational engagement with the existential cryptographs embedded in the typography of shades, shapes, patterns, and vivid forms. In this solo exhibition, the artist delves deeply into the wonder and magnificence of bird migration, buttressed by technological methods, including map study, satellite imagery and strong artistic manifestation, offering the viewers to ponder how our visual perception connects with the intangible narratives of understanding, transcending beyond a bird’s instinct of searching, navigating, and reinventing across distances. The solo visual exhibition will remain open for visitors til January 14, 2025.

The month-long '6th National Sculpture Exhibition 2024', organised by the Fine Arts Department of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA),  began on Saturday. One of the flagship events of BSA, the sculpture exhibition was inaugurated by Sharmin S Murshid, adviser to the Ministry of Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs. Eminent sculptor Hamiduzzaman Khan, Director General of Bengal Foundation Luva Nahid Chowdhury, and Chittagong University teacher-sculptor Atiqul Islam were present as special guests. The chairman's speech was delivered online by the BSA Director General Dr Syed Jamil Ahmed, while Mustafa Zaman, Director of the Fine Arts Department, delivered the welcome speech at the event. The first sculpture exhibition was organized in 1982 by the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy with the aim of continuously encouraging and developing the practice of sculpture. 'Joke er Rajneeti': When stand-up came to Shilpakala This year, the number of participating artists is 216, and 178 works of art in different categories by 159 artists are being exhibited. A total of 13 awards, including 10 honorary awards, were presented at the inaugural ceremony. This time, the 6th National Sculpture Award went to Dr Azharul Islam Sheikh Chanchal, the second prize went to Abdul Khalek Chowdhury, and the third place went to Bilash Mondal. Among the recipients of honorary awards are Asim Halder Sagar, Rupam Roy, Alok Kumar Sarkar, Abu Sadayat Md. Sohel, Amit Koch, Asfiqur Rahman, Syed Tarique Rahman, Habiba Akhtar Papia, Kanak Kumar Pathak and Srabanti Meherun. At the same time, a multimedia 360-degree VR (Virtual Reality) version of the exhibition was also inaugurated at Gallery 05 of the Academy's National Art Gallery building under the management of the BSA Production Department. The exhibition is open to everyone and will run at the National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy from December 21, 2024 to January 20, 2025, daily from 11 am (3 pm on public holidays) to 8 pm.

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) presented a stand-up comedy show for the first time on Friday, focusing on contemporary social and political realities. Organized by the Department of Drama and Film, the comedy show titled 'Joke er Rajneeti' was performed at the Academy's Experimental Theatre Hall on Friday evening. Akhlaq Siddiqui, Shawon Majumder, Syed Ridwan Hasan, Mehedi Hasan Toru and Sami Doha presented their jokes, enamoring the audiences. At the inaugural ceremony, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Director General Dr Syed Jamil Ahmed said, "The Shilpakala Academy is always people-friendly; we want to create a people-friendly environment with everyone. Our programs are going on not only in Dhaka but also in the districts." "Starting from photography training for garment workers, concerts, band shows, Jatra festivals, Sadhumelas, mass uprising songs, Bahas, sculpture exhibitions and other multi-dimensional programs across the country. Many of which have not been held in the last 15 years." Regarding the naming of the academy auditorium, the Director General said, "The Experimental Theater Hall has been named Selim Al Din Theatre, the Studio Theater Hall has been named Chandrabati Theatre. The National Theater Auditorium will be named Kobi Alaol Theatre. The Experimental Theater Hall will be opened for drama performances from December 28, 2024." On December 27, at 7pm, the second episode of stand-up comedy 'Stand Up Bangladesh' will be performed by the Buno Payra troupe, focusing on contemporary, social and political realities at the Experimental Theater Hall.

To preserve the memory of July and revive the spirit of the July Movement among everyone, the anti-fascist photo exhibition organised by Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir has concluded at National Museum at Shahbagh. Titled 'Frame-a-Bondi 36 July: Obbhyutthyan er Purbapor’ (‘Framed Memories on 36 July: Before and After the Coup') the display came to a close on Monday. The three-day exhibition began earlier on Saturday (December 7) with the inauguration announced by Shibir’s central president Monzurul Islam at the Poet Sufia Kamal Auditorium of the National Museum. Musical Instrument Exhibition 'Harmony of Healing' begins at AFD Concluded with the closing announcement by Secretary General of Islami Chhatra Shibir Jahidul Islam on Monday, the exhibition showcased historic photographs highlighting the moments of the July 36 Movement, and shed the spotlight on the stories behind the movement and its martyrs' sacrifices, the consequences of the mass uprising, and the brave struggle of the students against the dictatorship.

Justin Sun, a Chinese cryptocurrency entrepreneur and art collector known for purchasing the famous $6.2 million banana taped to a wall at auction, has proposed buying 100,000 more bananas from the Bangladeshi vendor who sold the original fruit for just 25 cents. This unexpected offer has sparked excitement and practical challenges for the vendor, Shah Alam, 74, and the fruit stand’s owner, Mohammad R. Islam, reports The New York Times. Entrepreneur who purchased a banana artwork for $6.2 million eats the fruit in Hong Kong The original “artwork”, sold at Sotheby’s in New York, captured worldwide attention for its price and conceptual nature. Sun now seeks to buy bananas worth about $25,000 from Alam’s stand near Sotheby’s. However, sourcing this quantity from the Bronx wholesale market and handling logistics, including packaging and transport, pose significant hurdles and costs. Alam, who earns $12 per hour working 12-hour shifts, clarified that any profit from the bulk sale would go to the stand’s owner. Alam estimated only a modest $6,000 profit would remain after expenses. “There’s not any profit in selling bananas,” Alam said, underlining the stark difference between the art piece’s exorbitant cost and the realities of running a fruit stand, the report also said. Sun, who has a history of purchasing unique and costly artworks, commented on the challenges in a text after a news event in Hong Kong, where he ate the original banana. “I am not personally familiar with the exact cost of the bananas,” he wrote, emphasising that the goal was to support Alam and highlight the artistic symbolism of the banana Fruit stand owner Islam, 53, said he would consider sharing any potential profits with Alam and other employees. He learned about Sun’s proposal from a reporter and expressed concern over its impact. Online support for Alam has grown, with two fundraising campaigns raising over $20,000, underscoring public interest in addressing the economic disparity highlighted by the original sale, added the report. Alam’s brother, Mohammad Alam Badsha, who also works at the stand, shared his view on Thanksgiving Day. He acknowledged the potential of accepting the bulk sale but pointed out it would not substantially change the vendors’ circumstances or address the deep inequality exposed by the $6.2 million price tag. “It’s definitely an inequality,” Badsha said, using a Bengali saying to describe the vast difference as “the difference between heaven and hell.”

“Harmony of Healing', an exhibition featuring traditional and innovative musical instruments from the region, presented by Mohammad Jakir Hossain, begun at La Galerie of Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) in Dhaka on Monday. Music artist Baul Shafi Mondol attended the exhibition as a special guest, and François Grosjean, director of the Alliance Française de Dhaka, also participated in the inauguration, among others. Jakir Hossain, born in 1994 in Gaibandha, studied music in Kolkata from 2016 to 2022, where he learned various forms, including Indian classical, Bengali folk, Tagore songs, and modern music. After returning to Bangladesh, he explored the impact of music on humanism and healing. In 2018, he founded “Obokalpo”, an initiative focused on preserving and developing traditional and experimental music while nurturing art and culture in vulnerable regions of Bangladesh. In addition to the display of experimental indigenous musical instruments, the exhibition will feature seminars, workshops, and Bengali folk music performances. Lucy Tripti Gomes curated the exhibition. Acrobatics featuring trained artists enthralls BSA The exhibition is open to all and will run until Friday, November 29, from Monday to Saturday, 3 pm to 9 pm.

On Saturday evening, the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) hosted a unique 'Acrobatic Show' at the National Theatre Hall auditorium in the capital. The acrobatic show was organized by the Theater and Film Department of BSA, as the academy is currently working in a variety of methods to advance the popular acrobatic art form. The acrobatic team of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, which received special training from China, presented several enthralling performances featuring Rope Round Bill, Ariel Hoop, Blanket Balance, Barrel Balance, Chair Setting, Mount Skill, Diabo Balance, Fire/Bump, Ring Dance, Roller Balance, Ring Jump and more. At the event, the Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Dr Syed Jamil Ahmed said, "The art of Acrobatics has gained wide popularity for several hundred years. It was mentioned in "Mahua Pala" written in 1650, proving that acrobatics was already popular before that period; but today, its remnants survive somewhere in a dilapidated condition - and the circus that was popular during the British period is hardly seen today.” "Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy thanks the state and people of China for helping to revive this almost lost heritage of Bangladesh, and I request our trained acrobats and their instructors to make acrobatics a part of our heritage. I also want the audience to stand by the circus, because Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy can take the circus back to a strong position with your undivided support,” Syed Jamil concluded.. The program was broadcast live from the official Facebook page of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.  

The Ministry of Cultural Affairs on Thursday announced seven innovative projects aimed at engaging youth and revitalizing Bangladesh's cultural landscape in the wake of the July Revolution. The announcement came during a press conference at the Secretariat, chaired by Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki. The seven initiatives, designed to foster creativity and inclusivity, are: 'Remembering Monsoon Revolution,' 'Youth Festival,' 'Countrywide Talent Hunt,' 'Digital Oral History Project,' 'Bangla Academy Creative Writing Workshop and Research Project,' 'Installation of Modern Video Projection System at the National Museum,' and 'Show-Creator Workshops.' Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki emphasized the projects’ significance in promoting cultural unity and diversity. “The establishment of a cultural bridge is crucial after the revolution,” he said. “We want to ensure that Bangladesh represents everyone—many people, many religions, many languages, and all cultures will be at the center of our policy. There will be no space for religious discrimination.” In the written statement of the ministry, it was informed that 'Remembering Monsoon Revolution' will create new enthusiasm and new wave among the youth of Bangladesh. As part of this project, 8 visual content creation workshops will be organized in 8 categories by 8 top Bangladeshi creators, and 8 medium length visual content will be produced as output of the workshop while 8 new theater productions will also be created and staged. An album of Nazrul's songs will be made with youth-favorite local artists of the country and a concert will be organized centrally in Dhaka on the occasion of its release. This concert will be telecast across the country. Besides, the July Revolution-centric photography, paintings and cartoons will be exhibited in the country through major exhibitions, according to the Ministry. A grand 'Youth Festival' will take place from December 30 to February 8 next year, where the Ministry of Cultural Affairs will organize cultural events across the country. As part of the countrywide talent search program, the ministry will organize a countrywide talent search program with the aim of creating a new cultural awakening among Bangladeshi children, adolescents and youth. 'Digital Oral History Project' will include a large-scale digital archiving. Millions of participants in the 'Remembering Monsoon Revolution' will have their involvement history captured by video cameras and compiled, and these videos will be displayed everywhere. For aspiring authors, Bangla Academy will publish books and offer creative writing classes. In addition, 10 one-year research fellowships and funds for fifty research papers will be granted to the aspiring researchers, as part of the 'Bangla Academy Creative Writing Workshop and Research Project'. Besides, it was also revealed that the projection system in the National Museum auditoriums will be modernized to screen international films, documentaries and other visual content along with stage performances throughout the year, and the ‘Show-Creator Workshops’ will be organized for the promising youth of Bangladesh with experienced trainers of internationally renowned OTT platforms. Syed Jamil Ahmed, Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, and Mohammad Azam, Director General of Bangla Academy, joined other ministry officials in presenting these initiatives.