The New Nation - Internet Edition

Recall: Mahmudul Haque: Memories of an unparalleled author

Art & Culture Report

He was the brightest literary figure of his time, said Mir Waliuzzaman of his friend the late author Mahmudul Haque.

Friends and fellow authors reacted with shock to the news of Mahmudul's death Monday, saying his passing away had created a great vacuum in the book world. The reclusive writer died, aged 67, in the early hours of Monday morning at his father-in-law's Lalbagh house.

One of the renowned authors of Bangla literature, Mahmudul gave up writing in 1982 after a number of acclaimed novels. Affectionately known as Botu Bhai and always seen as a lively figure in social gatherings, the rest of the time he was said to lead a solitary life. Writer Shawkat Ali said, "He was a very talented writer. I have to say 'he was', as he has passed away. But he still seems such a lively presence that I cannot think him a person who is now past." "It is most painful to witness the authors of Bangla literature bidding adieu one after another," Shawkat said.

He conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family, and urged the young generation to study profoundly the writings of the late great novelist. Mahmudul's body of work encompasses six novels - Anur Pathshala (Anu at School), Nirapod Tandra (Undisturbed Sleep), Jibon Amar Bon (Life is My Sister), Matir Jahaj (Clay Ship), Kalo Baraf (Black Snow) and Khelaghar (Playhouse).

He wrote only one volume of short stories Protidin Ekti Rumal (Everyday, One Handkerchief) and a children's book Chikkore Kabuk. The subjects of Mahmudul's novels are realistic and relevant to contemporary life, said author Hasnat Abdul Hai. "He was skilled in using language and created a style of his own in writing novels," said Hai. Filmmaker Morshedul Islam felt that each of his novels could be turned into a great film.

Bangla Academy head Syed Mohammad Shahed said, "We are grief-stricken. Mahmudul Haque was a novelist of high calibre. We lost a great writer." He was a hugely talented writer, agreed Prof Monsur Musa, a former director general of Bangla Academy. "With his death our world of literature has been greatly affected."

Fellow novelist Anisul Haque Mithun felt the same and he said, "Mahmudul Haq was a powerful novelist." "Syed Shamsul Haq, Hasan Azizul Huq and Mahmudul Haque can be counted as the three most powerful novelists of our country in recent times. "

Exhibition: With My Imagination Joya’s solo exhibition at Shilpangan

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

“In my choice of subjects, I've taken the life of humans, birds and animals. I deal with hunger, gluttony, irritation, peaceful nature and other emotions in living beings. My lizards, wolves, eagles, butterflies and flowers are all used as symbols. Just as the wolf stands for violence and anger so the butterflies and flowers stand for happiness and goodness," said Joya Shahrin Huq at her solo exhibition titled 'With My Imagination' at Shilpangan Gallery in the capital.

The exhibition was ended recently. She completed her masters in printmaking from Baroda in India. Now she is working as part time faculty at the Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka University.

Joya went into printmaking, as she wanted to do something different from the usual routine of oils, brushes and easels, as she puts it. Learning from her teacher artists Safiuddin Ahmed and Mohammed Kibria, she has used mostly black, grey and sepia.

She said, "I like black and white prints and find the combination rich. Black and white prints go back to classical days of Rembrandt, Durer and Goya."

In the show, in one of her series she used chairs of different shapes and sizes, symbolising power. She combined them with images of playful, black cats.

While replying about the work she said, "All around us we see the struggle for power, whether it be the nation's politics or the fight between a mother in-law and the daughter in-law."

Some of her works had used photo-transfer on to zinc plates, when she made compositions with portraits of her friends in her student days in Baroda.

But on the other times, she made a sketch before she goes to make the print. She tried to bring in her surroundings along with some elements of her imagination.

While visiting the gallery this correspondent found that her portrait was in the centre. On one side was a large, fleshy water lily, with a 'Borak,' (a creature with legs of a horse, wings of an eagle and head of a woman) at the other end. The 'Borak' was to lend a spiritual flavour and the portrait was to provide a personal touch.

In another print work, a seated woman with the backdrop of large, exotic flowers was found.

Lizards, shadows, and circles standing for life decorated a seated nude were in the next work. This too was in black, white and sepia. The wolf was brought in many of the pieces, and it stood for strength.

Exhibition: Space visual art Group art exhibition of 7 artists

Art & Culture Report

A group art exhibition of seven artists titled 'Space Visual Art' was held at Gallery Samatata in the capital recently.

The exhibition was inaugurated on July 12 and ended on July 21. The participants artists were Md Mahabubul Islam Baabu, Md Zahir Hossain Newton, Rajaul Islam Lovelu, Shahin Akther Lipi, Md Abdul Aziz, Syed Mohammad Shamim and Uttam Kumar Roy.

The show was in one hand inspiring and astonishing, while on the other hand works were trying to make surrealistic, impressionistic and ornamental.

The works of Syed Mohammad Shamim titled 'Searching Peace-1' was mixed media on canvas, showed trees with their flora in gold, blue and pink.

He completed a five-year degree on Drawing and Painting from Bulbul Lalitakala Academy (BAFA). He won two awards in the country. In Uttam Kumar's work titled 'Frame of Life-7,' was oil on canvas where there were a face of a clock, a black ribbon and an airmail envelope on a brown backdrop.

He took part in 15 workshops and has won 16 awards at home and abroad. He took part in 76 group exhibitions and three solo exhibitions. In Newton's work titled 'Cactus-1,' was acrylic on paper where there were four graceful birds spotted on the picture and blossoms of dull red matched with the feathers of the birds.

He took part in five workshops at home and abroad and received two awards in the country. He took part in two solo exhibitions and also took part in 48 group exhibitions at home and abroad.

Abdul Aziz's 'Lady with the bird' in watercolour, was in shades of blue, motifs of flower buds and birds surrounded the lady wearing jewellery on her arms and wrists.

He took part in 34 group exhibitions at home and abroad and has had four solo exhibitions in the country.

In Lovelu's 'Nature-1,' was in water-colour. The work presented birds, trees, hedges, rocks and overhanging leaves in grey, blue green and white colours.

He won seven awards in country and took part in 36 group exhibitions and five solo exhibitions.

Therefore, works of Mahabubul Islam and Shahin Akther were also took place in the show.

Film: Aslam Bhai to be released today

Art & Culture Report

Film Aslam Bhai will release today. Ispahani Arif Jahan has directed the film under the banner of Shamsad Production.

Manna, Jona, Prince, Priti, Asif Iqbal, Shapla, Sujata, Kazi Hayat, Kabila, Shiba Shanu and Misha Sawdagar performed in different roles.

Dildar Hossain was in editing and MA Quayum in camera. Chhatku Ahmed wrote the story of the film and Shawkat Ali Emon directed the music.

Story of Aslam Bhai:

Aslam was a son of a middle class family passing happy days with his father, mother, brother and sister.

Then a problem vandalized their family life.

Aslam became a killer and mixed with the under world. Then he became Aslam Bhai. The story went on.

Laser Vision’s new albums

Dip Nibe Geche

Genre: Instrumental music

of Tagore songs by Israj

Artiste: Ajoy Mitra

Total songs: 10

Mixing: Arnob Mitra

Musicians: Usuf Khan,

Almas, Jalal & Topon Sarkar

Israj take: Studio Bajna

Arsheenagar

Genre: Songs of Lalon

Artiste: Farida Yasmin

Total coordination:

Mostaq Zahid

Total songs: 11

Amra Sobai Raja

Genre: Children' collection

of Tagore songs

Music direction: Animesh

Bijoy Chowdhury

Instrumental coordination:

Agniva Bondopadhya

Total songs: 12