Page 76 - Art and Crafts of Bangladesh

PAINTING 73

the country through completely private and collective efforts, a few state and
institutional structures have developed, national and international exhibitions are
taking place regularly. Quite a few galleries have already been established privately,
the exhibition and patronization of art is continuously on the rise– these are all
positive efforts. The energy and diversity in the overall context of art has increased
manifold compared to earlier times and a significant number of painters and
sculptors have emerged. The diversity in medium and material of art and the
tendency to practice various styles has increased greatly in comparison to the past,
the tendency to experiment and to accept the context of our country is gradually
beginning to be imbued within young artists through various encouraging effort. In
the field of sculpture and printmaking, the desire to create has overcome the shortage
of materials and is being expressed in many ways, especially substantial effort and
activity is observed in the case of sculpture despite lack of institutional support and
favorable circumstances.
Our cultural tradition has an admirable heritage compared to the general identity of
Bangladesh in the world map as a country afflicted by poverty and crises. The artists
working in various media and cultural workers of this country are carrying out the
responsibility to keep this honor continuing. It can be said without doubt that fine
artists are playing a visible and leading role in the contemporary world of cultural
activities in this country.

Translated by Jalaluddin Mohammad Baybers, student BBA, IBA, University of Dhaka

Notes and References
1. Asok Bhattacharya, Banglar Chitrakala, (Kolkata 1994), 189-214.
2. Niharranjan Roy, Bangalir Itihas-Adiparba, (Kolkata 1993), 329.
3. Dr. Nazimuddin Ahmed, ‘The Political History of Early Bengal’, (ed.) John Sandy, Discover the
Monuments of Bangladesh, (Dhaka 1984), 23.
4. Robert Skelton, ‘Bengal, The Historical Background’, Arts of Bengal, The Heritage of Bangladesh and
Eastern India, in Robert Skelton and Mark Francis (ed.), (London 1979), 20.
5. Andrew Topsfield, ‘Painting’, Arts of Bengal, Ibid., 34.
6. Op.cit., Asok Bhattacharya, 13.
7. Ibid., 14.
8. Asok Datta, “Earliest Evidence of Painting in Bengal”, Indian Museum Bulletin (1988 & 1989)
Combined Issue, (Kolkata 1990), 11.
9. Ibid., 12.
10. Sarasi Kumar Saraswati, Palayuger Chitrakala, (Kolkata 1978), 129.
11. C. Siva-Ramamurti, Indian Painting, (New Delhi 1980), 83.
12. Jayanta Chakravarti, “Indigenous Tradition of Paintings in Bengal”, Indian Museum Bulletin, op.cit., 14.
13. Op.cit., Asok Bhattacharya, 41.
14. A.B.M Husain, Islamic Chitrakala, (Dhaka 2004), 157.
15. Ibid., 167.
16. R. Chaterjee, “Non-Indigenous Sources of Paintings in Bengal”, Indian Museum Bulletin (Combined
Issue), (Calcutta 1990), 28.