Syed Shamsul Haq: A worshipper of art
During his lifetime, Syed Shamsul Haq became an iconic writer in the realm of Bangla literature. As an ambidextrous author, he enriched almost every field of Bangla literature with his brilliant writing skills. Though non-academic in nature and non-professional in spirit, he was also a spontaneous painter and sculptor.
In his twilight years, Rabindranath Tagore portrayed many masterpieces of art and later exhibited his artworks in Gallerie Pigalle in Paris, France in May 1930. Syed Haq too followed the trail of the Bard, but couldn't hold his exhibition during his lifetime.
Syed Haq had more artist friends than that of litterateurs, according to his wife Anwara Syed Haq. “He had good friendship with master artists like Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, Patua Quamrul Hassan, Aminul Islam and Qayyum Chowdhury. He took colour pallet and brushes in his hands in the '80s. He found his roots in the worshipping of motherland, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, National Flag and the Liberation War. His patriotic zeal with loyalty for the country is deeply expressed in his diverse creative works. He was basically a Sunday painter, but he would relay a message through his paintings. Painting soon became his great passion, and he had dream of holding his solo exhibition on his 81st birth anniversary,” said Anwara Syed Haq.
“Syed Shamsul Haq's life was closely attached with the nuance of classical art. His depiction of the pieces of art was originated from his life conscience. So, Syed Haq's art should not be evaluated from the fragmented imageries of his own life; he was rather a worshipper of art. His canvases play with multifarious mysteries and complexities as he went through various odds in his life,” she added.
It is interesting that Tagore and Haq's treatment of colours on canvas is almost identical. Both kept most of their artistic creation as untitled. Yet, Syed Haq attached titles to several of his works. “Lovers in Full Moon”, “Returns of my Ancestors”, Elusive Hand” and “Childhood Memory” are some of the works he entitled. Vibrant yet mature hues, scribbles, expressive eyes, geometric forms and shapes, asymmetrical line, bold use of black in his abstract creations and a beautiful compositional balance are the hallmark of Syed Haq's art. It is also interesting to note that the artist depicted a few pen works, especially one resembling the work of Tagore depicting his works in one of his manuscripts. Syed Haq's solo exhibition titled “Chitrer Dibyaroth”, organised by Bengal Foundation, concluded at The Daily Star Bengal Arts Precinct on April 5.
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