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Towfiqur Rehman : A dedicated and driven sculptor

15 July 2005, 18:00 PM
LIFESTYLE
By Fayza Haq
15 July 2005, 18:00 PM
Towfiqur Rehman
Towfiqur Rehman, a contemporary sculptor nonpareil, was educated at the Fine Arts Department, Dhaka University (DU), and Japan, where he went through a Chinese scholarship. Although he respects his teacher Hamiduzzaman and gives him full credit for his achievements, he differs from the former. He feels that after Novera Ahmed left Dhaka, there has not really been much achievement in the field of sculpture. He believes that though there have been experimentation and installations, there is no real achievement to write home about. Tofiq's last exhibition was at Chitrak three years back. Asked what kept him from having more displays, he is silent. One comprehends that in metal casting, time is taken away from his present profession in an NGO.

The business of making a living is his top priority. Incidentally, his wife is Lala Rukh Selim, Assistant Professor, Fine Arts Dept. DU. Examining the photographs of Hamiduzzaman's exhibition and that of his own (the two exhibitions were held simultaneously, in a paper cutting that he showed in his house at Dhanmondi,). one could comprehend his guts to speak so boldly and point out how, going by the photo images. While Hamiduzzaman was his teacher, no doubt, yet Towfiq's works left an indelible mark on one's mind. Even though one might know and admire Hamiduzzaman for decades, Towfiq's work and painting prove that he has his points too. Both Hamiduzzaman and Towfiq are outspoken and in the final analysis, often the student surpasses the teacher, going by historical records.

Having belonged to the dedicated group Shomae -- to which belonged artistes such as Shishishir Bhattacharya and Saidul Haque Juisse -- Towfiq feels that one should not limit oneself to coteries or be deterred by the cliques that exist in various quarters of our society. He does not believe in limiting oneself to the Fine Arts Dept. DU. "I could have been a teacher," Towfiq said, "but I feel that one should not limit oneself to working in coteries." Towfiq was not being bombastic or egocentric, when he tried to prove his point. Going by cuttings, photographic images -- of how he worked and when he sculpted, iron welding is no easy feat, if one is combines it with earning a living in our metropolis. Towfiq remains dedicated and driven.

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Speaking about why sculpting is not popular in Bangladesh, he agreed that religion was a factor that confined the sculptures to road crossings, gardens and some sophisticated work places and the upper crust of our society. He didn't believe that we should necessarily take our hats off to sculpture that have sentimental value. Yes, Towfiq is an iconoclast and he dares to differ. He is unusually outspoken, and drives home his point of view -- without even taking a break, after his office travails. Hats off to such a personality.