Overlooked treasures of Shakhari Bazaar

Buildings featuring architectural styles of different eras in shambles

It is however unfortunate that the historic buildings in Old Dhaka, specifically the ones in Shakhari Bazaar, boasting architectural finesse of different eras are reduced to rubble. In the name of urbanisation, things are rapidly changing but perhaps not in the best interest of the city.

Architects, archaeologists, urban planners, historians and cultural activists have repeatedly expressed their concern in the preservation of these landmarks with little positive outcome.

Urban Study Group (USG), a voluntary organisation formed by a group of architects, has been campaigning for the conservation of Shakhari Bazaar. As part of the campaign, USG is holding an exhibition titled Save Shakhari Bazaar at Nolinikanta Bhottoshali Gallery, National Museum. Former chief advisor to caretaker government, Justice Mohammad Habibur Rahman inaugurated the exhibition on August 27. Wolfgang Vollman, UNESCO representative in Bangladesh attended the event as special guest.

Architect Taimur Islam, team leader of USG said that the group has been working on this campaign for last two years. Apart from being one of the oldest surviving sections of Dhaka, Shakhari Bazaar is home to the Shakhari community. The community is carrying on the ancestral tradition of Shankha Shilpo (craft of shankha or conch shell carving). Bangles made of conch shells with intricate designs, commonly referred to as Shakha are significantly important to religious Hindus. Shakhari Bazaar is still a centre of religious activities. Images of celebrations on Durga puja, Kaali puja and Janmashtami are featured at the exhibit.

USG has done a survey on the residents of Shakhari Bazaar. About 150 families are involved in the Shankha craft. Some families earn their living making musical instruments, paper craft or crafts using jute-straw or styrofoam sheet while some are kumar (artisans making clay figures) and goldsmiths. Collages at the exhibition feature images of these craftsmen at work.

During much of late 18th and 19th century, the surrounding areas of the moholla (neighbourhood) formed the urban core of our city. Shakhari Bazar was considered as one of the two most prestigious neighbourhoods of the city during that period.

Images of buildings in shambles, crisscrossed by electric wires highlight architectural features bearing styles of the bygone glory days. Mughal, late Mughal, Colonial and Raj -- different styles are noticeable in the designs. Exquisitely decorated Ionic and Corinthian columns, cornices, wooden louvers, cast-iron railings, wrought-iron joists, wooden panels and more are visual delights.

Apart from images, drawings of the architectural designs are also on display. The once thriving shakhari community are now being forced to change their ancestral profession due to lack of patronage and incentive. Access to raw material is also an issue. Conch shells were once imported from Calcutta. After Partition (1947) that stopped. Now the conch shells have to be imported directly from Sri Lanka and there is a ridiculously high tariff (32 percent) on the shells.

Taimur Islam points out, "The community as well the landmarks make this site significant to our city's heritage. Cities have restored historic venues and declared them as 'Heritage Sites'. Locations like these can generate international interest and give our tourism a much-needed boost and most importantly, provide our future generations with reasons to be proud of our city, one of the oldest in the subcontinent."

The exhibition ends today.