"I wanted to create something that people would understand, and so, I did the calligraphy in Bangla."
These are the words of architect and calligraphy artist Nazm Anwr, who has adorned the walls at Banani 11 WAPDA with an astonishing 450-foot Bangla calligraphy installation, that too, completed in a mere two days, between 15 and 16 August, 2024.
Nazm Anwr's artistic journey didn't begin with this piece. Over the past few years, he has left his mark on various locations across the city, including a 150-foot calligraphy installation near the Darussalam Tower on Mirpur Road.
"Many of these spaces have been public places," he says. "Thanks to some generous owners who permitted me to use their walls, I was able to create these calligraphic pieces." His earlier works often blended abstraction and multiple scripts, including English, Bangla, and Arabic, or focused solely on Arabic calligraphy.
The July movement, however, altered his artistic direction. "I was an active participant in the movement, and after it, public walls became accessible for graffiti and murals," Anwr reflects. "I wanted my work to reflect the message of the movement, and that's why I chose Bengali calligraphy for this piece."
Support for his work came in an unexpected form. "Asia Paints Bangladesh came across my work and, out of nowhere, offered me buckets of paint worth Tk 55,000," he recalls. This act of support enabled him to bring his vision to life on the Banani 11 wall, where the rhythmic flow of the Bangla script now captures the attention of passers-by.
Despite the scale of the project, Anwr worked alone. "The most noteworthy challenge I faced was the rain, which came down on the first day," he shares. Yet, his dedication and passion carried him through, and within two days, the wall was transformed into an expansive work of art.
His commitment to his craft is evident in the way he balances his professional and creative life. "I have an architectural firm, and whenever I get time from my job, I do such calligraphy work out of passion," he says.
In a city that often rushes toward modernisation, Anwr's work stands as a reminder of the importance of language and heritage. The bold strokes of the Bangla script breathe life into the urban landscape, urging viewers to pause, reflect, and reconnect with their roots.
The Banani 11 calligraphy piece not only enhances the aesthetic of the area but also sparks conversations about art, activism, and the power of public expression. Anwr's ability to merge architecture, art, and socio-political commentary makes his work resonate on multiple levels.
"I just want people to engage with the art, to understand the language, and to feel connected to it," Anwr concludes. His 450-foot creation at Banani does just that, serving as a vibrant cultural landmark in the ever-evolving city of Dhaka.
Photo: Courtesy
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