6th Oriental Painting Exhibition inaugurated

The inaugural ceremony of the 6th Oriental Painting Exhibition, organised by Oriental Painting Study Group (OPSG) in association with The Daily Star, took place at the Bakultala, Faculty of Fine Art, Dhaka University (DU) on November 8.

The event also marked the award giving ceremony, beginning of a five-day long Oriental Wash Painting Workshop and launching of a website, dedicated to the oriental style of painting: orientalpainting.org.

The proceeding of the event began with a dance sequence based on songs by Tagore, performed by Monira Parvin Happy, and her two students. Raka Paul followed with another presentation.

Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique, Vice Chancellor, Dhaka University inaugurated the event as chief guest. Abul Khair, Chairman, Bengal Foundation, graced the occasion as special guest, while noted art critic Moinuddin Khaled, art connoisseur and collector Mikhail I Islam and Indian artists - Sameer Ray and Swapan Das, were present as honourable guests.

On behalf of the organisers, Dr Malay Bala - convener and curator of Oriental Painting Study Group (OPSG), delivered the welcome address.

With a goal to popularise Oriental Art amongst students of FFA (Department of Oriental Art), DU and FFA (Department of Oriental Art) Rajshahi University (RU), the OPSG has declared an 'Oriental Painting Award' this year.

Nipa Rani Sarkar, of DU received the top prize for her artwork “Saga of Celestial Romance” and received a cheque worth Tk50000. Raihan Ahamad, of RU was adjudged the runner-up, and received a prize money in the order of Tk.30000. Second runner-up, Samina Zaman, of DU was handed over a cheque of Tk.20000. Apart from the three winners, artists Hasura Akther Rumky and Abu Hossain (both from DU)  received honourable mention and a cash prize of Tk.5000 respectively.

All awardees received crests, certificates and books from the esteemed guests.

The exhibition, inaugurated by art patron Abul Khair, is showcasing 99 artworks by 80 artists of Bangladesh and India.

The show will remain open for all (between 11am and 8pm) until November 13, 2016.

Professor Nisar Hossain, Dean, Faculty of Fine Art, DU, who also presided over the programme, said that through this exhibition which has participants from Bangladesh and India, OPSG has etched a mark in the international scene. He concluded proceedings of the evening by thanking the audience for their passion for art.