Zainul’s Birth Centenary
Udichi launches yearlong programme
Cultural organisation Udichi Shilpygoshthi launched a yearlong programme to celebrate Shilpacharia Zainul Abedin’s birth centenary, which will fall on December 29 of this year. The launching ceremony was held at the National Art Plaza auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Friday.
The launch programme included painting and discussion sessions, and screening of a documentary on the distinguished life and works of Zainul Abedin titled Madonna-43.
The event began quite enthusiastically as different noted and promising artists of the country drew in front of the attendees at the auditorium premises as a tributary gesture to Zainul Abedin.
The painting session was followed by a discussion session that was presided over by cultural personality Kamal Lohani, who was present as the chief guest. Former students of Zainul Abedin, who are currently working as Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University, talked about the life and work of their great teacher. The students of Abedin who spoke at the event included the likes of artists Hashem Khan and Anwar Hossain; professor Matlub Ali, theatre personality Keramot Moula and noted social worker Khushi Kabir.
To note, Zainul Abedin was the founder and also a teacher of Government Art Institute, which later became the Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University.
Prabir Sardar, general secretary of Udichi, delivered a welcome speech at the programme. Jahanara Abedin, widow of Zainul Abedin, was also present at the discussion session.
In his speech, Kamal Lohani said that though Zainul Abedin is no more, his spirit lives on.
Hashem Khan, in his speech, shared some of his fond experiences with Abedin. He said that it was the motto of Abedin’s life to save the rural artisans of the country from disappearance. ‘He always wanted to bring talented rural artisans in limelight and save their works,’ added Khan.
‘He was a great teacher, who was caring about each of his students,’ said Khushi Kabir in her speech.
Keramot Moula, on the other hand, told that the way Zainul Abedin loved his country and people is rare amongst any artist of any time. ‘He believed in creating art that would depict the life of common people,’ said Moula.
Prabir Sardar informed the audiences that Udichi will organise more programmes on Zainul Abedin to take his spirit to the doorsteps of every Bangladeshi. We will organise discussion sessions and screenings of the documentary in different corners of the country,’ said Sardar.
The documentary film Madonna-43, which has been created by Pradip Ghosh, was screened at the programme following the discussion session. The documentary, which was produced by Udichi, shows the history behind Zaibul Abedin’s sketches on the famine of 1943. The film includes interviews of noted artists Hashem Khan and Rafiqun Nabi, professors Matlub Ali and Mizanur Rahman who talk about the works of Abedin.
-With New Age input
