‘Songs of Fired Earth’ Inaugurated at Alliance Francaise

An exhibit of the Songs of Fired Earth that opened at Alliance Française on Monday.

The exhibition ‘Songs of Fired Earth’, celebrating the rich heritage and diversity of Bangladesh’s traditional pottery, was inaugurated today at La Galerie of Alliance Française de Dhaka. The five-day exhibition brings together rare and traditional clay artefacts from across the country, highlighting the artistic, cultural, and environmental significance of folk pottery traditions.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including artist and folk researcher Nisar Hossain; Dr. Azharul Islam Sheikh, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Dhaka; Professor Uday Shankar from the Department of Folklore at University of Rajshahi; Dr. Mohammad Shamim Reza of Jahangirnagar University; Nasir Mahmud, guest lecturer of Dhaka University; and archaeologist Afroza Khan Mita.

Pottery has long been intertwined with everyday life, rituals, aesthetics, and cultural identity. In the hands of skilled potters, clay transforms into artistic creations, while fire gives form to objects that are both functional and decorative. From the Neolithic era to terracotta architectural ornamentation, pottery has held an important place in the region’s material culture. However, the growing dominance of synthetic products and changing consumer habits have contributed to the decline of traditional earthenware and the livelihoods of artisans.

The exhibition aims to raise awareness about Bangladesh’s folk pottery traditions, encourage appreciation for locally made products, and contribute to the preservation of this endangered craft heritage.

Curated by Dr. Shawkat Ara Haider using clay artefacts collected from different parts of the country by writer, researcher, and journalist Imran Uz-Zaman, the exhibition presents pottery through thematic classifications including vessels, utilitarian forms, painted pottery, ritual objects, and toys. The collection features both extinct and still-practiced forms of earthenware from diverse local traditions.

The inaugural evening featured Liluya Sundarir Pala, a lyrical folk performance based on women’s songs from Munshiganj-Bikrampur. The performance included readings by Monira Sultana, with Imran Uz-Zaman participating as lead vocalist and narrator.

As part of the exhibition, daily folk performances will continue at 5:00 PM:

19 May (Tuesday): Kajol Rekha, from the Mymensingh Geetika, performed by Prottay Cultural Organization featuring Nazia Afrin, Paheli Dey, Pankaj Kumar Biswas, and Simontini Biswas.

20 May (Wednesday): Folk music performances by Sardar Hirak Raja and Zakia Ila Noor.

21 May (Thursday): Songs of Meditation by Sagar Sai and Nipa Ahmed Sara.

22 May (Friday): Closing session featuring folk performances by Nadia Arefin Shawon and Taposhi Roy, alongside guitar performances by Maisha Monowara and Md. Zakaria Ananda.

The exhibition will remain open daily from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM and is open to all visitors.

Through this initiative, the organizers seek to inspire greater appreciation for locally sourced and environmentally sustainable crafts while reinforcing the value of preserving Bangladesh’s folk artistic traditions for future generations. - Press release