Mettle of an art model

Momin Ali Mridha: The face long adored by artists

Mridha's eyes have a sense of grace through which one can feel his long journey of life. He has a face that delineates a character that spellbinds people. There is a duality, however: he can be himself and something else at the same time. That's why some even call him Sadhu or Saint. And with the change of time, his family name is lost under the name of Dadu--Bangla for grandfather.

Sitting on the footpath in front of the Institute with colourful bead-necklaces and earrings, he can attract anyone and everyone quite easily. But how many of us are really acquainted with his modelling career? He is one of the oldest models of artists of the Fine Arts Institute.

Modelling for artists as a profession rose sometime in the early 19th century, following the freedom ignited by the French Revolution of 1789. The profession started ebbing away by the early part of the 20th century, as the art world shifted away from realism to the avant-garde, which required less and less the presence of a model in the studio. In our country too it is limited to the art institutions.

Momin Mridha's transformation from a gardener to an artist's model is quite interesting. Eminent artist Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin gave him the rare opportunity to be his model. Mridha worked in the house of the then Magistrate of Dhaka at that time as a gardener. Zainul was so fascinated with his garden that he often visited the place for sketching. 'I can't recall the exact time when Zainul Abedin started sketching my portrait instead of flowers. Later, when he established the Fine Arts Institute, he brought me here as a model,' says Dadu. 'Having started with Tk. 10 per sitting, I've got highest Tk. 100. Although the wage scenario hasn't changed much but the affections and love I received from artists and students are incomparable,' he adds.

In his life, he has posed for many other famous artists including Quamrul Hasan, SM Sultan, Rashid Chowdhury, Hamiduzzaman Khan, Jamal Ahmed, Shishir Bhattacharya and others. 'Making bodylines interesting for the artists was not as easy as I had anticipated,' says Dadu. 'I was amazed by the different renditions of myself by the artists: a swirl here, a line there, a splash of paint over in the corner. Surely, this was not as I looked. But, yet again, maybe it was,' he exclaims.

The most important thing in being an artist's model, Mridha has discovered, is the timing: two-minute poses, five-minute poses, ten-minute poses. 'You must time yourself,' he continues, 'Timing is everything.'

'Modelling sessions usually last for about 3 to 4 hours including breaks. Some sessions often require the same pose. Artists also let you know if the position needs adjustment,' informs Dadu.

'I am a shy person, and we don't have the nude modelling culture here. I would love to call myself as a "social model",' says Dadu with blushes on his cheeks.

Now Dadu has retired from modelling. He has become an artist himself now. He dazzles us with his unique cement-made colourful jewellery ranging from Tk. 20 and Tk. 250. 'With the inspiration from famous sculptor Shamim Shikder, I began to make these beads jewellery. Modelling has contributed to my becoming an artist of these fancy items,' says Dadu.

'I know I am supporting the arts and I think the arts are very important,' says Dadu. His sense of self-confidence is what makes artists want to capture him. And the experience of being captured has given him a better understanding of himself.