Serenading Soul: Unfolding narratives of nature

Artist and journalist Zahangir Alom enjoys the brilliant colours of nature. Although his studio practice has been vastly with oriental art, his canvases often speak different languages. From Pegan symbolism to primordial cultures of Bengal, the essence of unification with the divine are vividly present in the tints of his canvases. Professor Nisar Hossain, Dean, Faculty of Fine Art, University of Dhaka, offers the most precise review of Alom's work. "Often the students who are trained in an academy are afraid of taking risks. That fear is absent in Alom's brush strokes," he said.

Artworks on exhibit at the event.

Alom's second solo exhibition, Serenading Soul, was recently inaugurated at Dhaka Gallery. Prominent artist Monirul Islam was the chief guest. Eminent artist Professor Mohammad Eunus, sculptor Hamiduzzaman Khan, Professor Nisar Hossain, Dean, Faculty of Fine Art, University of Dhaka, Founder of Durjoy Bangladesh Foundation, Durjoy Rahman, President of Samdani Art Foundation, Nadia Samdani and Co-Founder and Trustee of the Samdani Art Foundation, Rajeeb Samdani were also present.

Dazzling Brahmaputra (Watercolour) (Left). Blissful Brindabon (Acrylic on canvas) (Right)

The predominance of ragas and Gaurdiya Nritya concepts results from Alom's comprehension of classical music and dance. Gaudiya Nritya, is one of the ancient forms of dance that has its roots in Bengal. It is inspired by the Vaishnavism, which tells the tale of Jiva-atma, or the individual soul is the living entity and Param-Atma refers to the Supreme depicted by Radha and Krishna. Alom, intrigued by the mythological concepts of Bengal, narrates his interpretation with colour washed in Madhur Rasa. 

Raag Shyam Kalyan (Acrylic on canvas)

Amid his robust acrylic and watercolour paintings, an etching work, titled Homage to Kalidas Karmakar, is sure to grab attention. Alom shares anecdotes behind including this standalone etching work in his exhibition. "Kalida challenged me during a workshop.  He said he would teach me the techniques of etching in a couple of hours," explains Alom. "He then took a marker and drew this fish and asked me to work on it. If Kalida was here today, I believe he would have been happy to see the outcome." The trio of Alom, Amit Nandi and their guru Malay Bala from Oriental Painting Studio is also known for their compassion for art.

A trip to Sandakphu inspired Alom immensely. The light that fell through the gaps between leaves, the sound of the flowing streams and the slopes of the mountains at Sandakphu reminded him of the ragas that filled the air of his practice studio. The abstract works fused with the rhythms and movements of classical music and his memories justifies the title of the exhibition being Serenading Soul. Alom dedicates his exhibition to his mother Jahanara Begum. 

The collaborative and interactive performance, Raag Rang, with participation from renowned vocalist Aloke Kumar Sen, instrumentalists Firoz Khan on sitar, Yousuf Khan on sarod, and Sabuj Ahmed on tabla, along with five celebrated dance artistes, Snata Shahrin (Kathak), Rachel Priyanka Perris (Gaudiya), Sudeshna Swayamprabha (Manipuri), Arthy Ahmed (Bharatanatyam) and Alka Das Pranti (Odishi) was to take place at the exhibition on March 20. However, owing to concerns over the rapidly spreading coronavirus, the soiree has been shifted to March 26 for the time being. Architect Mustapha Khalid Palash, Founder of Dhaka Gallery, announced it at the event.