Jibon Monthon
Shadow of artist Sultan
A huge crowd rushing towards the centre where a red sun is beaming down its light, titled ‘Sukh surjer ashay’, the artwork done in acrylic by artist Balodeb Adhikary is among the 46 vibrant artworks currently being displayed at an exhibition titled Jibon monthon / Churning Life at the National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
The exhibition is the fourteenth solo exhibition of artist Adhikary, but his first one in Dhaka. Without having any formal academic background on art the artist developed his knowledge of fine art medium under the guidance and association of legendary artist S.M. Sultan in Narail.
“It is still fresh in my mind how I used to draw bright ‘alpanas’ and doodles at ‘pathshala’,” says the painter who comes from a middle class peasant family. “Highly motivated with the encouragements of my teachers and friends I always wanted to become a famed artist. Ultimately, luck favoured me to meet the most respected Lal Miah, legendary artist S.M. Sultan who became my guru and guide”, informs artist Adhikary.
The works of folk painter Balodev Adhikary who runs a free art school at his Narail village reflect love and wisdom towards the human world. Pain and pleasure, distress and harmony of the common mass come up vividly through realistic and semi-abstract figurations. A major objective of artist Adhikary is to help all to break free from the constraints and boundaries of social and religious blindfolds.
Works like Peshi Shokti, Bhog, Kormi and Ashroy illustrate all sorts of imbalances and exploitations. The characters reflect the deprivation and injustice done towards the poor who toil hard to earn bread. Songshar Ghan, Otripto Asha, Rupai and such works reveal the frustrations and failures of the brave and heroic characters who in spite of loss and hardship continue to fight in life.
In works like Pagla Ghora and Bhul Madhyam the artist attempts to show the confusion, frustration and backward motion of the fidgety simpleton who is a victim of the cunning and selfish quarter.
Realistic world of artist Balodev depicts busy day-to-day activities of the rural folks specially the female community. One of the works shows an enlightened Sultan encircled by his disciples along with his favourite feral and pets.
Several of the compositions of painter Balodev Adhikary are based on the works of his other favourite personality, late Kobial Bijoy Sarker, a noted Narail-born baul singer, lyricist and composer.
The harsh and agonizing realities of our War of Liberation are also a vital subject of the exhibited works where unimaginable affliction, praiseworthy gallantry and patriotism come up intensely.
A key highlight of the show is the acrylic-based Chironton Bangla. It is possibly the country’s largest painting till date measuring 60 ft x 5 ft that features a magnificent scenario of Bengal with seasonal, religious and social diversity stuffed with harmony and peace. “I appeal to the concerned authorities to take urgent steps to preserve and permanently display this work of mine in a suitable location that could be a major tourist attraction and valuable piece for the art world, as well”, pleads an anxious Balodev Adhikary.
The exhibition is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily till 04 July.
-With Daily Sun input
