The self taught artist from Narail Nikhil Chandra Das has attempted to narrate the story of rural people, their lives and highlight the beauty of Bengal through his Patachitra artworks at his current solo
exhibition titled Abohoman Bangla.
The fortnight solo exhibition displaying 28 artworks is being held at Gallery Jalrang. Nikhil, a figurative painter, basically experiments with forms of women, snakes, fish, trees and diverse living elements of nature following the age old tradition of rural artists.
The experimental artist smoothly paints and fills his canvases in different mediums including acrylic, woodcarving and tapestry.
Each of his paintings is a complete story bearing our traditional identity. In the series of paintings, women have been portrayed in vibrantcolours. A blend of their emotions, hardships and conflictscan be sensed in these artworks.
In an artwork featuring festivity of Bangladesh, women in traditional attires are dancing to the beats of the Dholbeing played by a man. The use of bright colours in the picture depicts the happiness and joyous atmosphere.
In another artwork, Nikhil has boldly illustrated some people catching fish, which is a major source of earning livelihood that molds the culture of fishing villages and the dwellers.
‘Most of the people of Bangladesh belong to an agricultural social system, which has a significant impact on their lifestyle and culture. The themes of my painting highlight these common people, some of whom are self taught artists,’ says Nikhil regarding his displayed artworks.
Arun Kumar Das and BinayBiswas, two singers of traditional PataGaan from Narail district, performed at the inaugural programme of the artshow. ‘The artworks on display at the exhibition were actually done as part of a project initiated by us to promote Nikhil. We invited him to Dhaka and provided all the essential support,’ said ShawonAkhand, the gallery curator.
Patachitra might be quite new for many art lovers. However, it is actually an ancient art form of the country. Patachitra, today is a dying art in the country and the number of Patuas (those who make Patachitra) has beendecreasing at an alarming rate. The exhibition is open to all from 11:00am to 8:00pm until 19 May.
-With New Age input
