Apart from some parts of the hilly landscape of Chittagong Hill Tracts, the world's longest sea beach of Cox's Bazar and urbanised areas; Bangladesh is largely a land of bucolic beauty. Two colours -- blue and green -- have prominently adorned the nature and landscape of this part of the world. The country has its glorious history of the Liberation War, opulent folk culture and simple lifestyle of the people. Many artists fondly depict the beauty of Bangladesh in their own ways. But very few artists have portrayed the distinct features of Bangladesh the way renowned artist Alakesh Ghosh has. The artist's ongoing exhibition showcases every aforementioned aspect of Bangladesh. The artist has soulfully depicted the diverse picturesque imageries of Bangladesh in his 71 paintings.
From the settings of village Haat (market) to the sailing boats on the rivers; from the graceful monsoonal sky over the sea beach of Cox's Bazar to the serpentine beauty of Sangu River of Bandarban; from the bull and buffalo driven chariots to the resting boats; from the floral rhythms to lush greenery, from the portraits of the Father of the Nation Banglabandhu Sheikh Mujubur Rahman and Rabindranath Tagore to the folksy lifestyle of the people; -- all are fascinatingly depicted by Alakesh Ghosh.
Art lovers are bound to get awe struck by the artworks displayed at the Nalini Kanta Bhattashali Gallery of Bangladesh National Museum (BNM). BNM and Gallery Cosmos have jointly organised the exhibition.
Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor graced the inaugural ceremony as chief guest on October 15, while South Korean Ambassador Ahn Seong-Doo and eminent artist Samarjit Roy Chowdhury attended as special guests. Enayetullah Khan, Chairman, Gallery Cosmos delivered welcome address and Faizul Latif Chowdhury, Director General of BNM, presided over the programme.
The opening event also had the launching of a book on the artist Alakesh Ghosh titled “Life and Works: ALAKESH GHOSH”, published by Cosmos Books, at Poet Sufia Kamal Auditorium of BNM.
The exhibition, opening from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, and from 2:30 pm to 7:30 pm on Fridays, will conclude on October 21.
Alakesh Ghosh (b. 1950, Jamalpur) has established himself as one of the most acclaimed painters of Bangladesh. Alakesh's body of work has always reflected his seminal attachment to the picturesque beauty of rural Bangladesh, even when he has bestowed his outsider sensibilities to depict the urban landscapes of the city he now calls home, Dhaka.
Although proficient across various media, it is unquestionably his mastery of watercolour that sets Ghosh apart in the pantheon of great painters to have emerged from this region. Some say there is no better exponent of this ephemeral medium today than Alakesh, who himself feels he has given it too much of his time. His work in portraiture is another area in which his mark is likely to remain indelible.
The book brings together the vast and varied output of this contemporary master from Bangladesh in one volume, along with the famously reticent artist's own thoughts and reflections. As such, it aims to present a clear and uniform view of both the artist and the man. The book layout and cover have been designed by ARK Reepon. It took one- and- a- half years to compile the book.
