Depicting the diverse aspects of the life and culture of indigenous communities

To commemorate the diverse aspects of life and culture of six indigenous communities, renowned artist Kanak Chanpa Chakma is showcasing her artworks at Edge Gallery, Gulshan-2, in the capital. 

Rokia A Rahman, leading woman entrepreneur and a former Adviser to the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh, along with the featured artist, renowned art critic Professor Moinuddin Khaled and Iftekhar A Khan, Founder Trustee of Edge The Foundation, inaugurated the exhibition yesterday.   

Photo: Courtesy

This is Kanak Chanpa’s 17th solo exhibition,  titled The Traveller’s Song. It is evocative of unique themes and vibrant colours, and the nostalgic journey of the artist. Among today’s major artists, Kanak shines through with her unique body of works. Behind the use of vibrant colours lies stories of great depth. As we lift the yellow veils of saffron and pierce past the misty cerulean blues, we find the inner thoughts of the artist - a melancholy aesthetic rising out of the canvas. It is a story of generations past, a beautiful, simpler way of life fading before our very eyes.

The exclusive exhibition is an outcome of thhe artist’s three-year research and participating observation of the lifestyles and rich cultures of six communities -- Chakma, Murong, Marma, Tongchonga, Santal and Garo. The artist depicted about 70 artworks on oil, acrylic and paintings collage, of which around 50 artworks are on display.

 “To know the cultures of other communities is important for me as an artist. I am deeply fascinated with the rhythmic dance of the indigenous communities”, says Kanak Chanpa Chakma. “I have depicted their distinctive dance styles of all the six communities on big canvases.” ‘Bangladesh Ethnic Artist Forum’ has been inaugurated under her supervision, with the participation of all the ethnic communities of Bangladesh. The group has dedicated itself to conduct research works, workshops, art camps and exhibitions.