The Song of Agony: A Solo Exhibition by Dr. Abu Kalam Shamsuddin

An exhibit at the solo exhibition - The Song of Agony at Alliance Francaise, Dhaka on Friday.

Dhaka, 2 October 2026 — Alliance Française de Dhaka is pleased to announce the opening of The Song of Agony: Arishadvarga, a solo exhibition by Bangladeshi artist Dr. Abu Kalam Shamsuddin, at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka, on Friday, 2 October 2026. The inaugural ceremony was graced by Prof. Mohammad Eunus, visual artist and Chairman of Art Bangla Foundation along with Dr. Siddhartha Shankar Talukder, former Professor, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Rajshahi, and Prof. Dr. Bazur Rashid Khan, Dean, Faculty of Fine Arts, Jagannath University, Dhaka.

Drawing inspiration from Indian philosophical traditions, the exhibition explores Arishadvarga, also known as Shadripu, which identifies six inner enemies of human nature: Kama (lust or excessive desire), Krodha (anger), Lobha (greed), Moha (delusion or attachment), Mada (pride or arrogance), and Matsarya (jealousy). Through a series of paintings, the artist examines how these impulses influence human behaviour, shape relationships, and affect the balance between humanity and nature.

Rooted in the philosophical understanding of the self, the exhibition invites audiences to confront the less visible dimensions of human nature. By translating these inner conflicts into visual expressions, Dr. Abu Kalam Shamsuddin encourages viewers to reflect on their own desires, actions, and responsibilities. As the artist explains, “I feel that, as an artist, I also have a responsibility towards the environment and the world.”

Extending beyond individual introspection, The Song of Agony: Arishadvarga draws attention to the consequences of unchecked human desires and self-centred behaviour on the natural environment. The artist highlights how ignorance, attachment, and the pursuit of personal interests can contribute to environmental degradation, deforestation, and the disruption of ecological balance. The works encourage greater awareness of the need to protect forests, preserve wildlife, and safeguard natural habitats for future generations.

The exhibition also reflects the artist’s sustained engagement with painting traditions and material experimentation. Inspired by the techniques of Ajanta cave paintings and Thangka painting, Dr. Abu Kalam Shamsuddin combines contemporary materials with layered, textured surfaces to develop a distinctive visual language. Using materials such as sand, mud, zinc oxide, and acrylic paint, he creates tactile surfaces and asymmetrical compositions that give physical form to complex psychological and philosophical ideas.

His restrained palette of earthy browns, muted blues, yellow-greens, and shades of gold further enriches the visual narrative. Through the interplay of colour, texture, and form, the paintings explore themes of consciousness, conflict, transformation, and spiritual awakening. The use of gold, in particular, evokes the possibility of inner transformation and the pursuit of greater self-awareness.

Reflecting on the intention behind his work, the artist states, “The exhibition seeks to reveal the hidden connections between human desires, our behaviour, and the natural world, encouraging us to recognise and reconsider the consequences of our actions.”

Through The Song of Agony: Arishadvarga, Dr. Abu Kalam Shamsuddin brings together philosophical reflection, artistic experimentation, and environmental consciousness. The exhibition offers viewers an opportunity to engage with the complexities of human nature while considering how greater self-awareness and collective responsibility can contribute to a more balanced relationship with the world around us.

Exhibition Details

Opening: Friday, 2 October 2026, at 6:00 PM

Exhibition Dates: 3–13 October 2026

Visiting Hours: Daily, 3:00 PM–9:00 PM

Venue: La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka

Address: 26 Mirpur Road, Dhanmondi, Dhaka

Admission: Open to all