The ongoing exhibition titled ‘Brishtite Roder Kona’ at Bengal Shilpalay lets new audiences be introduced to the works of one of the finest artists from Bangladesh, Kazi Abdul Baset.
In an age when electricity has reached even the most remote corners of Bangladesh and air conditioning is ubiquitous, the image of a woman cooling herself with a traditional handheld fan may appear to be a relic of the past. However, this simple act of seeking relief from the heat was immortalised in the works of Baset.
While his works are rarely exhibited these days, the exhibition at Bengal Gallery in Dhanmondi has provided a unique opportunity to view a comprehensive collection of his work. The exhibition features 72 pieces in a variety of mediums, including acrylic, pastel, charcoal, watercolour, and ink drawings. The artworks are all from private collections and have been generously shared to introduce Baset’s genius to a new generation.
Kazi Abdul Baset’s legacy is enormous but unappreciated. Baset, a humble and introverted guy, was recognised for his plain pyjama and grey panjabi outfit, as well as his rigorous guidance of his students. He received a Fulbright scholarship and studied in Chicago from 1963 to 1964.
Baset’s work has a unique blend of figurative and abstract styles. Despite his modernist approach, Baset’s themes frequently revolved around the simplicity and beauty of rural life, capturing its essence with profound depth. His depictions of rural women and domestic life added a new dimension to modern Bangladeshi art, specially his paintings of woman with a fan becoming almost a trademark of his artistic identity.
Baset had a close relationship with fellow artist Mohammad Kibria, another shining light in Bangladesh’s art history, and analogies between their works were frequently made. Their mutual influence and inspiration resulted in considerable artistic synergy, which shaped Bangladesh’s art scene in the 1960’s.
Baset began his career as an art teacher at Nawabpur High School, where other notable figures such as Mohammad Kibria and Murtaza Bashir taught. Baset’s artistic development—from his early realistic images of rural life to his later experimentation with abstraction and return to realism—reflects a dynamic and diversified artistic journey.
This show at Bengal Gallery is a fitting tribute to the brilliance of Kazi Abdul Baset, providing spectators with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the works of a master who caught the soul of Bangladesh with unsurpassed sensitivity.
Presented by Bengal Arts Programme, the exhibition walls adorns the works of Baset which he produced between the 1960’s and 1990’s. All the works being showcased are collected from the personal collections of Abul Khair, Abul Hasnat-Nasimun Ara Haque, Matiur Rahman and Luva Nahid Choudhury.
Open for all, the exhibition commenced on 8 November 2024 and will run till 11 January 2025.
Written by Shahbaz Nahian
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