The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

"With 'Of River and Earth,' Syed Jahangir continues to expand on his elemental imagery, and his nature has remained an important preoccupation with Jahangir, it is seen in increasing poignancy and sympathy in his recent work of which at times border on the metaphysical or the mystical. He now goes for the 'life of things' in nature - as William Wordswoth did, nearly two centuries ago. Jahangir himself had tried to understand nature in its seasonal manifestations in his early watercolours, and was particularly attracted by the green hills of Chittagong Hill Tracts, or of Muree in Pakistan. Trees and tropical vegetation provided him with both as instant theme and rich, vibrant colours. As a watercolorist, his primary concern was to bring out the shimmering quality of the hills and landscape and the play of light and shade, in a manner reminiscent of the impressionist. But Jahangir was more down to earth, always keeping an eye on the people who inhabited the landscape or its fringes, their daily life and living. As a result, his paintings always came alive with the life of nature and the life of the people engaged in different preoccupations" art critic S Manzoorul Islam said this about artist Syed Jahangir at his solo painting exhibition titled 'Of River and Earth' at Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts in the capital.

Syed Jahangir, in his tireless journey through life, once again presented a treasure of art works in the exhibition. His 60 sketch, watercolour, oil and mixed media pieces were took place in the gallery. These were done in an impressionistic manner, as he departed from the abstraction quite some while back.

The exhibition was inaugurated on November 2. Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury inaugurated the exhibition as chief guest, while eminent litterateur Hasnat Abdul Hai and Managing Director of BRAC Bank Ltd Imran Rahman, Director of Bengal Gallery Subir Chowdhury, among others, were present on the occasion. The exhibition was sponsored by BRAC Bank Ltd.

The gallery was covered with water with colours of gold, cobalt blue, and touches of earthy colours. Dynamic and dedicated, this master of paints also brought the symbolism in some of motifs of Jahangir where he had concentrated on nature, not forgetting the past. In the exhibition Jahangir showed once again his excited involvement with nature and as in the previous couple of solo shows, with a cosmic vision as well.In his latest exhibition, he seemed to have excelled himself in many areas, particularly in giving a quiet, meditative look to scenes which were otherwise hectic, such as scenes of harvesting. There is no sense of hurry in any of his canvas. All is peaceful and serene, yet one never misses his sympathy with the men and women who people his canvas.

Jahangir combined his studies under the Bangladeshi masters - Zainul Abedin, Quamrul Hassan, Safiuddin Ahmed and Anwarul Haq - with the western lessons from impressionists and contemporary painters.

Very much an expert in paints in the 21st century, he harked back to all possible genres of modern art of the recent past like Auguste Renoir, Pablo Picasso and Henry Moore in sensuous and sensitive colours and lines.

He meditated over his work, before he touched his brush and canvas, and took his inspiration from sketches and photographs for his numerous landscapes, still life and portraits, often set against the horizon with its sparkling colours of blue, gold, brown and red. Then at the opportune moment he took Dhaka city by storm.

While replying he said, "I still feel that I'm learning and that there's a lot to do - to continue to paint as long as I can, and as long as I enjoy it."

In the exhibition, he put together usual acrylics and oils, a few water colours, and some spectacular ink drawings. These latter are a reminder of Jahangir's versality as an artist. The drawings have a wash treatment, which heightens a quiet contrast between the background and the foreground, of two clusters of images and forms - characteristic of his art that one also sees in his larger work. Touching on the contemporary art scene in Bangladesh, he said, "There are a lot of young artists who are experimenting with the western style. I feel that painting is something that comes from within - there is rampant aping at times and the works are often forced, just to be termed 'up to date' to the world art scenario."

"Sheikah Afzal, Jamal Ahmed, Nisar Hussain and Dhali Al Mamoun are the more serious young artists of our time," he added.

While asking if he felt that there is a difference in the standard of teaching in the Fine Arts Institute from that of his time, he replied that during that time, the teachers came from the Calcutta School of Art. They taught the academics, the grammar of the language of fine arts with finesse, and they went into abstraction and surrealism later on. It's like music - take up the challenge of modern tones. Now the young teachers, who have training in style from overseas, have a different quality of teaching.

Syed Jahangir participated in 24 solo exhibitions at home and abroad and also participated in numerous group exhibitions. He won eight awards, including the 'Ekushey Padak' in 1985.

He is a tireless traveller through life with a keen eye for detail. Of River and Earth showed him with all his power of observation and empathy, of sensuousness and sensibility.

The exhibition will end on November 15.