To have passed by the Shontrash Birodhi Raju Sharokh Bhashkorjo (Anti Terrorism Raju Memorial Sculpture) one day and to then have stood before its maker the next, was a surreal experience. The moment felt extraordinary, yet, the man I stood before made the the interaction remarkably humble. To me, speaking with sculptor Shyamal Chowdhury equalled reconnecting with an old friend — as though he was back in the art scene after years and was describing art like it were the essence of his existence.

The exhibition "Echoes in Form", displaying Shyamal Chowdhury's collection, was inaugurated on January 10, that too inside the sculptor's residence at Shyamoli. While there was no grand ceremony, the event was held between the artist's close family members and friends. Notable guests included artist Monirul Islam, and essayist and trustee of the Liberation War Museum, Mofidul Hoque. 

As I entered his residence-turned-gallery in Shyamoli, a neatly placed portrait bust of Joynul Abedin welcomed me while Shyamal Chowdhury's wife, Moni Chowdhury invited me into a warm conversation about her husband and his art. She said, "Work has always been his food and motivation. For all these years, he only did commissions to support us, his family. He wanted to start doing work for himself but that's when the accident happened." 

In 2020, while returning from making a sculpture in Netrokona, Shyamal had a massive accident where he lost half his mobility and his memory of the last 10 to 15 years. It was a long journey to regain most of his strength and memory. Shyamal Chowdhury has been out of the art scene ever since. However, even though he doesn't have full function in his hands, Shyamal Chowdhury sits down to sketch whenever he is offered a pen and paper.

The exhibition only featured works of Shyamal Chowdhury, most of which were done between 2003 and 2007. The atrium of his flat-turned-gallery held a collection of recent sketches of the past year while three rooms presented a journey into his past years. Each room opened to a display of statuettes made of clay and fiberglass while figure drawings, gesture drawings, and abstract compositions adorned the walls. His sculptures explore themes of human connections, including relationships, and scenes of livelihood, complemented by expressive figure sketches.

"Echoes in Form" also included a video presentation that offered a glimpse into Shyamal Chowdhury in his element, immersed in art and with his family. There was a detailed chart listing some of his most renowned works such as the 'Raju Bhashkorjo' on TSC road, which is the largest figurative sculpture in Bangladesh; bronze bust portraits of the four national leaders at Dhaka Central Jail; Liberation War sculpture at Bangladesh Agricultural University; 'Projonmo 71' sculpture at Netrokona, and more. 

Moni Chowdhury said, "He was growing quieter and it was difficult for us to see a lively workaholic person succumb to this state. This exhibition has given him the much-needed mental peace and inspiration." Over the years, the man who used to be the life of the party succumbed to a quiet life and has not sculpted in a very long time. The purpose of this exhibition was to inspire a person who has been an inspiration for many. Fulfilling the intent completely, Shyamal Chowdhury was certainly inspired to see his beloved people come to visit his personal collection of sculptures and drawings.  When artist and sculptor Hamiduzzaman Khan, came to visit, he reassuringly told Shyamal, "I'll give clay to you again, and you will start sculpting soon."

This is not Shyamal Chowdhury's first solo exhibition; his debut exhibition was held in London while working as a resident artist at Gloucestershire College. However, this is the first time his works have been exhibited in his own country, and in the most special manner. The house show has been made possible entirely by the efforts of his family members. Shyamal Chowdhury's younger daughter, Rupakalpa Chowdhury took on the role of the curator. This was also her first curation where she received massive support from her older sister, mother, and uncle to pull off the exhibition. 

For years, Shyamal Chowdhury's family wanted to do something for him. Keeping various limitations in mind, the house show was curated to give him an intimate experience to connect with his teachers, friends, and peers in a small setting. Rupakalpa shared, "This is our exclusive collection and our objective is to preserve it. It has however been a lengthy process and we hope to curate an exhibition in a larger setting soon. We wanted to give baba an exhibition where he could connect with his closest people at peace."

As for Shyamal Chowdhury, himself, he shared his gratefulness and conveyed, "This is all because of my younger daughter and the rest of the family. Of course, I am very happy!" Drawing attention to the current sculpting scene in the country, he added, "We need to preserve sculptures. Today's generation needs to preserve all our sculptures. It's a holistic responsibility." While the house show aimed to inspire Shyamal Chowdhury, it stood as a testament to his dedication, resilience, and legacy, inspiring many more in the course. Originally set to run for three days, the exhibition was extended, at the request of many, till today (January 15).