Artist Nazir Hossain has been experimenting on the traditional pat chitra (scroll painting) to achieve a signature style that will represent unique Bangladeshi art to the global art market.
Though the artist does not follow every element of the tradition in terms of mediums, nature of colours and even characters, his experimental works reflect the essence of the traditional art form in terms of composition.
Traditionally, the stories in a pat chitra depict the narratives of the legends like Gazi, Kalu and Champabati or the undying love stories of the legend Radha and Krishna through the bold but delicate lines of the bright handmade colours on cloth.
The artist has taken a popular character from the of the Gazi, Kalu and Champabati myth of the traditional art, Royal Bengal Tiger, as the key topic of his experimentation for the acrylic on canvas.
His intention is not even to narrate the age old myth where mighty Gazi Pir tames a ferocious tiger while in his journey in search of his beloved Champaboti. Rather, Nazir depicts the images of tigers doing human like activities.
Sixty five such paintings are on display at his solo show Pater Gaan Banglar Bagh at the Cosmos Gallery-2, New DOHS in Mohakhali.
‘Tiger is the national animal of the country that personifies the vigour and courage of the nation. Which is why I’ve selected the magnificent animal as the key element for my experimentation to address the contemporary issues with the modern audience,’ Nazir, who has experimenting on the traditional pat chitra told New Age.
‘I am not a traditional artist so I could not portray my subject-matters with organic colours. All I wanted is to bring out the essence of pat chitra to create a signature identity of the art of Bangladesh,’ Nazir added.
Such a painting on display at the exhibition is Bagh O Pecha which portrays a tiger and a pink owl sitting among the red and green flora and ferns. Red butterflies with bright, green wings flying in a circle around the tiger and the owl give a colourful facade to the painting.
In another painting titled Bagh O Baul, a tiger has been depicted playing a flute along with bauls, traditional bards of the country.
Hossain also said that he has written few songs on the paintings as an effort to preserve the old form of pat chitra in which the artistes would present songs highlighting performances in the paintings. The artist has written songs titled Sundarban, Bagher biye, Sobuj gao, Bagher deshe baishakh, and others. ‘I have the intention that some day I will perform these songs while exhibiting the corresponding painting,’ shared Nazir.
Inaugurated on November 15, the exhibition will remain open from all from 12:00pm to 8:00pm everyday till November 24.
-With New Age input
