Tracing our rich heritage

Green Jummon carriage from the Nostalgic old Dhaka (left) & Splash of life in Shankharibazar

Biren Shome, speaking about the Dhaka racecourse delineation, says, "This was built in 1880 by Khwaja Alimullah and was popular with the elite of the earlier days," says Biren. In this one saw horses, buildings, the gathered British and Nawab family. The painting of Boro Katra dates back to 1644, in the Moghul period.

" This used to be a tavern, with rooms on both sides. I've brought in the arch, rooms, trees on the sides, and people in brown and green," Biren adds. The next painting, the Rose Garden, can be traced down to the early 1900s and it was built by Rishikesh Das. Today we know this as the Bengal Studio. The artist also presented the Ramna Kalimandir, which was destroyed by the Pakistan army.

Ranjit Das brings in old Dhaka's Boro Katra in sweeps of red, with a horse carriage in the centre along with woman in black veil. The sun's glare can be seen from above. The composition is modern but the subject is of the past. His next painting brings Dhakeshwari Mandir in the rear with a sadhu ( holy man) in front. Some visitors, who have come to see the temple, have been included. These are acrylic on canvas.

Ivy Zaman says, " I enjoyed doing the old building of S M Hall. I saw the yellow roofs from my verandah. It was also thrilling for me to do Ahsan Manzil, which I've done in gray, hoping that the building will be preserved, as it well deserves to be. The next one introduces the viewer to a window in the Rose Garden, which have inspired other artists in the exhibition. The remnants of the buildings tell us of our rich historic past."

Hamiduzzman Khan says that he has used line drawing to bring in a place like a building associated with the Rose Garden, which he has done in pen-and-ink and wash. This place had fountains, ponds, sculpture, and place to bring in horse carriages. The next painting brings in the fascinating tinted glass window of the garden. In the other paintings the artist brings in the steeple, angle and graves found in the Armenian Church. Hamiduzzaman uses oil, watercolour and pen for his work.

Alokesh Ghosh brings in the narrow lane of Shakhari Bazaar in one of his paintings, which includes people, houses, and birds sitting atop wire fencing. Although crammed with images, the painting is aglow with colours and forms. He has played with light and shade. He has also painted the Bara Katra and Ahsan Manzil.

Abdus Shakoor, in his black and white work, brings in impressionistic and symbolic work of the fleeing of the Hindus after a riot. The broken and empty vessels and visiting crows are all that remain of the neglected and dilapidated houses. Maksoodul Ahsan's recreation of centuries old scenes with elephants, palanquins, dhotis and pagris are also moving, transporting the viewer to the scenes of Dhaka's past.

It is admirable indeed when artists, in a group, work on a single theme.