Saying it with tapestry
Tajul says that he first makes a layout, next a tracing and enlarges that for the final pattern. It is similar to the satranji making. He says that he learnt the technique of making knots from a Bihari "ustad", who once worked for Rashid Chowdhury. He had worked about 12 years under his training. In his tapestry he works with abstract forms. In one he uses brown with black and blue and a touch of red. The forms appear like some human figures or trees, seen in a simplified manner, with geometrical shapes. Another one has a gray background and is in orange, black and blue. Tajul says that his work is different from the tapestry of others like that of Abdus Shakoor, in that loose threads don't hang out in his creations. He always breaks and simplifies his forms.
He does not do the weaving himself as he is short of time. There are four weavers who have worked on the 26 pieces for two years, in the village homes in Sylhet, Chandpur, Shariyatpur and in Dhaka. He had, at one time, worked with Rashid Chowdhury, doing the weaving himself. His backgrounds are usually dark while light blues, sap greens and light browns are seen in the foreground.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Tajul went on a six months fellowship to Yugoslavia to learn carpet weaving in 1979. In 1981 he did a course in Rose Mary Abraham Design Ltd., UK, under a UNDP fellowship. In 1984 he visited UK to participate in the International Carpet Trade Fair for market study as a delegate from Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation. In 1987 he visited USA to participate in the International Carpet and Rug Fair, Atlanta.
It is not easy to reflect one's creative feelings in tapestry. The artist's association with a carpet factory helped him to improve his technical skills. One expects Tajul to produce something remarkable in future as he has now resigned from his government job in the Adamjee Jute Mills, and has more time for creative work.