The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

Kantideb Adhikary recently completed his academic career through the degree MFA. His first solo painting exhibition titled 'Beauty of Nature' ended at the Zainul Gallery of the Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka University. The six-day exhibition was inaugurated on October 17.

In the exhibition, selected paintings of Kantideb, which he has painted throughout his student life, were on display. A total of 33 art works of Kantideb were on display at the show.

Pro-Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University Dr AFM Yusuf Haider inaugurated the exhibition as chief guest.

Chairman of the Department of Oriental Art of the Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka University Dr Abdus Sattar chaired the event, while Country Representative of Save the Children (Sweden- Denmark) Niels Bentzen was also present as special guest on the occasion.

Kantideb was very much enthusiastic towards painting from his very childhood. His enthusiasm has greatly been influenced by the country's veteran artist SM Sultan. He has got the opportunity to learn painting in Sultan's 'Shis-huswarga.' He achieved adoration and blessing from SM Sultan. Works of Sultan influenced Kantideb. As a result, he painted many paintings before getting admitted in the Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka University. Some of these were drawn in the time between 1992 and 1996. During this time, his memorable paintings were 'Lamp,' 'Beggar,' 'Grandma,' 'Lock,' 'Cycle,' and others. These works indicated him a bright and promising artist.

While addressing his working theme of this exhibition Kantideb said, "I learn from school textbook that animals, trees have life. They have the feelings of sorrow and happiness, well-woes. I become thoughtful realising the feelings of plants. Nature or a small part of nature, especially parasitic or sheltered plant is my favourite subject of painting. Parasitic or sheltered plant is an inseparable part of nature. Most of them are beautiful but they are always neglected. They have to grow up in dry and hard place. They get their nutrition and water from rain, air, sunshine and dust. Who is there to think difficult livelihood? Man either does not care them or even does not pity them for a single moment. Their life is largely uncertain. None can say how long they can live or how big they can be. Human society is not exceptional from them. Many cute babies born in footpaths. But their life is like that of the parasitic of sheltered plants. They are pariahs and neglected in the society. Their life is not certain too. In my series of paintings like 'Uncertain Life,' 'Life is not so easy,' I have tried to express this thought. I have tried utmost to articulate not only the laborious life of plants but also the beauty present in them."

While getting admission into the Institute of Fine Arts, Kantideb's favourite medium of painting was the wash technique on handmade paper. Then he experimented it variously in his works.

"From 1997, Kantideb started his institutional career on painting in the Institute of Fine Arts in Dhaka. In this time, he has perfectly applied his pre-experience and strategy of the experiences, he has learnt from his teachers, in his artworks. Among his paintings - 'Study,' 'Woman, 'Uncertain Life,' Picking Lilies,' 'Waiting,' and others proved his high devotion to painting," said Dr Abdus Sattar.

In his work titled 'Beautification -01,' his beautified the enormous beauty of woman where very simple aspects were presented so nicely.

In his 'Life,' series he has proved his own philosophical values of every plant has feelings and life. Expression of life of these natural elements was vividly represented in his works.

Therefore, in his series of 'Flower,' he made a narrative expression and aesthetic beauties of flowers in different moods.

Every artist should represent his own tradition before the world. Oriental art is our own style in which we have our tradition. The works of Kantideb has proved that oriental art is not an expressive beauty of nature but also a thematic appearance of surrounding elements.