‘Brishti-te Roder Kona’: A tribute to Kazi Abdul Baset

The name of the late legendary artist Kazi Abdul Baset stands strong among the intellectuals who contributed significantly to Bangladesh's artistic and cultural progress even before independence. In tribute to the drawings and paintings he created from the '60s to the '90s, a solo exhibition titled "Brishti-te Roder Kona" is currently being hosted at Bengal Shilpalay. The Bengal Arts Program has curated the exhibition.

In terms of his artistic educational experiences, Kazi Abdul Baset notably graduated from the Fine Arts Institute of Dhaka and received a scholarship to pursue studies in Chicago, USA. While studying abroad, he was influenced by abstract expressionism. However, after coming back to his motherland, he focused on realistic art. He eventually joined his alma mater as a teacher.

The spacious gallery of Bengal Shilpalay (level 1) currently holds pieces from a noteworthy timeframe of the cultural journey of Bangladesh. Kazi Abdul Baset left a mark in portraying the rural image of Bangladesh —there are drawings and paintings, some detailed, some minimalistic. He had done a considerable number of artworks of village dwellers and people who live closer to nature. 

These pieces show the everyday lives of our rural population, women in particular. These reminded me of the genre paintings that became popular in the Netherlands in the 17th century. The portrayal of the ordinary, daily lives of common people, engaged in mundane activities compose the definition of genre paintings.

Women with their children, and families, or engaged in household work—or simply resting—are often depicted in Kazi's drawings and paintings. He is also known for his affinity for portraying women in delicate demeanours and poses. Among these works, one watercolor painting stands out, dominated by shades of green. This sensuous piece features a woman carelessly draped in a translucent, sea-green saree, lying on her side.

Kazi Abdul Baset had also created abstract paintings and the combinations of colours are truly ethereal. The variations of textures create a dramatic charm that can be felt even from a few yards away. In short, his artistic mastery, decades of patience, and hard work visibly shine through his work. Bengal Shilpalay will run this exhibition till January 11, 2025. 

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