One of my mother's cherished possessions was a metal plate embossed with a drawing of a couple sitting together by a waterbody. It was a wedding gift to my parents from her then-neighbours, Manik Dey and Meena Dey. When I was in elementary school, my mother showed me the plate and told me that Manik Dey was a legend in the field of graphic design in Bangladesh.  

Years later, I was fortunate enough to witness his artworks in person.  

Gallery Chitrak is currently hosting "Rong Jeno Moar Maurme Lage" (Colour Should Touch My Spirit), the first solo visual art exhibition of Manik Dey. 

The inauguration ceremony, taking place on December 6, featured prominent figures such as artist Prof Emeritus Rafiqun Nabi as the chief guest and freedom fighter and former Director General of Bangladesh Television (BTV) M Hamid as the special guest. Senior artists Anwar Hossain and Md Moniruzzaman were also present, with veteran artist Abdul Mannan presiding over the event. 

The guests reminisced about their time with Manik Dey and praised his work. Rafiqun Nabi aptly referred to him as a true 'Manik' (gem). Following the speeches, the exhibition officially began.  

Manik Dey graduated from the Department of Graphic Design at the Fine Arts Institute of Dhaka University in 1979, though his career started before graduation. In 1980, he joined BTV as a graphic designer in the art direction department. His creativity, skill, and precision in hand lettering and drawing for TV shows during the 1980s and 1990s captivated audiences and revolutionised BTV's graphic design landscape. Beyond TV media, he created countless designs for posters, trophies, crests, and more. 

His remarkable 35-year career at BTV earned him the nickname 'Graphics Manik Dey', before retiring in 2015.

Most of the artworks currently adorning the walls of Gallery Chitrak were created between 2016 and 2024. The exhibition features 70 pieces, including acrylic, oil, and watercolour paintings, etchings, drawings, charcoal works, and some of his iconic graphic designs for BTV. 

Manik Dey shared that his inspiration comes from nature, humans, and animals. His bold, defined brushstrokes are a standout feature of his paintings, with varying shapes, hues, and directions. Despite their apparent chaos, these strokes form a harmonious alliance, creating an otherworldly balance.

The artist's works depict the familiar rural landscapes of Bangladesh, the working class, and everyday transports like rickshaws and boats. His portraits are nothing short of extraordinary. Dreamlike flowers, butterflies, birds, cats, and horses populate his canvases. Among all these, the most striking to me were his paintings and charcoal sketches of cows. As a child, I struggled to draw cows, and then, I stood in awe of Manik Dey's skill in capturing cows in various postures with such elegance.  

Every stroke, every line, every dot on his canvases speaks of Manik Dey's artistic brilliance, resourcefulness, and dedication to the art and culture of our country. Just as Rabindranath Tagore's line suggests, the colours of this exhibition have truly touched my spirit.  

Gallery Chitrak's open-for-all exhibition will run until December 31.