Masks have been used since ancient times for both ceremonial and practical purposes. Masks are a familiar and vibrant element in many folk and traditional ceremonies, festivals and rituals in the country.
The experimental artists these days have taken masks as an art form. Such well decorated masks made by the contemporary artists are on display at a fortnight exhibition at Gallery Jolrong at Niketan.
The 30 participating artists created colourful masks employing various techniques and mediums in the show titled ‘Bangladesh-er Mukhosh’, which has been organised to celebrate the Bangla New Year 1420.
A total number of 169 pieces are on display. Various materials like paper pulp, wood, cloth, sponge wood, patina, cement and bamboo have been used to create the masks. The exhibition presents both traditional and modern masks, collected from different parts of the country and some had been made in a workshop conducted by the gallery.
Some of the exhibited masks seem to be primitive, tribal, some contemporary, others appear to be ancient African and few alien-like. Every mask seems to be individual and distinct. The masks convey diverse human emotions like longing, yearning, pain, happiness, romance, the pride of accomplishment etcetera.
Veteran artist Hamiduzzaman Khan said, ‘The exhibition is a special gift to us on the Pahela Baishakh. It is an optimistic thing that we, with the passage of time, are returning to our very own roots.’
Artist and researcher Shaon Akand, the exhibition curator, found only three lines about masks of Bangladesh in a book titled ‘Banglar Mukhosh ’published in Kolkata. The fact that there is a lack of wide recognition of this form of art in our country became engraved in his mind. It motivated him to take the initiative to promote the art of making masks.
Akand told New Age, ‘There are mainly two genres of masks in our country – traditional and contemporary. For the exhibition, we have attempted to keep both the genres, featuring a total of 30 artists.’
Mask artist Saidul Haque said, ‘For many art-lovers, masks nowadays have become a quintessential part of their living room decor. Mask-making is an ancient form of art in this country. It has been developed in order to supplement performing arts like dance, drama and others. Unfortunately, mask-making is a dying art here today. However, the form of art is gaining momentum due to the endeavour of some young artists of the country.’
One visitor at the exhibition, Joy Deb, said, ‘The face is the most significant part of the human body and it can express the language of the mind vividly. Sensual colours and outstanding techniques have given diverse looks to the masks’.
The mask artists, who are participating in the exhibition, include Faruk Ahmed, Sabin Shahriar, Abdul Momen Milton, Sumana Haque Mitu, Pintu Deb, Nasir Ahmed and others.
The exhibition inaugurated on April 12 is open to all from 11:00am to 8:00pm till 25 April.
-With New Age input
