DU pays tribute to sculptor Shamim Sikder
Dhaka University administration today paid last respect to former DU professor and Ekushey Padak awardee sculptor Shamim Sikder on the premises of the fine arts faculty of the university.
The sculptor died yesterday while being treated at a private hospital in the capital. Her body was taken to DU around 11:00 am.
DU Vice-Chancellor Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman placed flower wreath on the deceased in presence of the pro VC, Teachers' Association's president and secretary, and the dean of fine arts faculty.
Earlier, in a condolence message, DU vice-chancellor expressed deep shock and sorrow over the death of the prominent sculptor.
Also read: Sculptor Shamim Sikder dies
The VC said Prof Shamim Sikder was an idol and she was very close to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. She was a prominent and honest artist.
The sculptor contributed immensely to developing the sculpting sector in the country. She was a freedom fighter and she will be remembered for her work, the DU VC added.
He prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.
After the tribute at fine arts faculty, Shamim Sikder's body was taken to Swadhinata Sangram sculpture premises at the university's Fuller Road area.
Her body has been kept in freezer for her daughter, who is supposed to come home from London tomorrow, to see. Then she will be laid to rest at Mohammadpur graveyard beside her parents' graves.
The artist came to Bangladesh seven months ago from London where she had been living for a long time, aiming to complete her incomplete works. She was hospitalised after four months upon falling ill.
"Her dreams remain incomplete. She dreamt of reconstructing the sculpture of Zainul Abedin at DU's faculty of fine arts, and urged the university authorities to unveil it after the reconstruction," said Imran Hossain, a curator of Shamim Sikder Sculpture Park.
Born on October 22, 1952, the legendary sculptor was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2000 by the government of Bangladesh. A professor of the sculpture department of DU's faculty of fine arts, she built the "Shoparjito Shadhinota" at DU's TSC in 1990 and Swadhinata Sangram at the university's Fuller Road area. She is also the sculptor of Swami Vivekananda at Jagannath Hall.
Shamim also built the sculpture at Dhaka Central Jail in 1974, commemorating the country's founding president Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and later sculpted Shoparjito Shadhinota in 1988.