As the raindrops drenched the streets yesterday, poets and artists gathered at Dwip Gallery, Lalmatia to discuss art and poetry. Poet Shamset Tabrejee, from a young age had picked up the paint brush to express the feelings, where words had failed. His ventures into the world of art has solidified in his solo art exhibition titled Muhurtoma, which is being held at the same location. Following the exhibition, the need to address the relationship between poetry and art was necessary. Thus, surrounded by the paintings of Tabrejee, the discussion session titled, Kobider Chhobi Bhabna O Kobita Paath was held.

The programme started with a speech by Shamset Tabrejee. Renowned poets, including the likes of Novera Hossain, Sajjad Sharif, Kajal Shahnewaj and Hijal Sharif, among others, attended the programme.Poets and artists expressed their thoughts about the invisible bond that ties art with poetry.

“We used to have a mutual understanding of each other’s work. In recent years, this connection that the two groups shared, is almost lost. We wish to bridge this gap by delving into the relationship between art and poetry,” said Shamset Tabrejee. He also said that by thinking that the two were exclusive, artists and poets have drifted further apart.

Poet Novera Hossain pondered over the relation between a poem and an art piece. She concluded that the ink of a pen and the stroke from a brush are in fact, synonymous.

“In this world that is divided by information and knowledge, we creative eccentrics work to unify the world, to erase the line that divides us,” said Sajjad Sharif.

The programme also featured poetry recitation by Rahima Afroz Munni, Hijol Zobaer, Kajal Shahnewaz and Sajjad Sharif, among others.

Shamset Tabrejee concluded that poetry and art, in reality, view the same thing in different dimensions. “A painting aims to portray a message through the picture and a poem makes one visualise through words. In retrospect, art and poetry are connected.”   

Muhurtama, Shamset Tabrejee’s first solo art exhibition, will be held in Dwip Gallery till August 30.