Rickshaw Artistry: A World Heritage solo painting show 10 Jan

Rickshaw Artistry painting exhibition by Nobo Kumar Bhadra

A solo painting exhibition titled 'Rickshaw Artistry: A World Heritage' by artist Nobo Kumar Bhadra at its Gulshan Brunch (House 8, Road 7, Gulshan 1) of Alliance Française de Dhaka 

The inaugural ceremony of this exhibition will be held on Friday, 10 January 2025 at 5.30 pm. 

Denmark’s Ambassador to Bangladesh H.E. Mr. Christian Brix Møller will be attending the inaugural ceremony as the chief guest.

Though the engineering behind the vehicle is antiquated as the age-old rickshaw in Bangladesh has not changed much since the early-twentieth century, the incomparable artistic aspects rickshaw ornaments itself with is unlike anything even today! Adopting from a wide range of topics: myths and legends of Bangla, Dhallywood film posters and characters, folklores, pastoral scenery with rivers and greenery, architectures like bridges and buildings, rickshaw paintings never cease to provide the unmindful viewers with something to become mindful for.

Nobo Kumar Bhadra, a rickshaw painting artist, has more than 30 years of expertise under his belt. Under the tutelage of his master Shitesh Shur, Bhadra started his journey with rickshaw painting in 1987 after having working experience with painting film banners in late 70s Dhaka. As a firm believer of establishing rickshaw painting as an internationally recognised folk art form, he continues to paint, be it on a tin canvas or cartridge paper or on a miniature hand-crafted rickshaw model or on a melamine plate. 

Many of Mr. Bhadra's paintings are inspired by the bold style of rickshaw painting, known for its bright colors and dramatic compositions that turn everyday life into something extraordinary. His films often show moments frozen in time, filled with energy that makes the still images seem full of movement. When he focuses on "animal stories," his works take on a dreamlike quality, with animals that act like humans, combining humor with the flashy look of old movies. These animals live in a world full of conflict: Roosters, as big as foxes, carry swords like heroic characters, while cheetahs become charming bartenders and lions deal with life’s problems in bars. However, his pencil drawings are different. They are simple in color but still show the style of rickshaw painting, with a quieter and more thoughtful feel. These black-and-white works offer a version of the rickshaw aesthetic that feels both familiar and strange.

After the inaugural ceremony, the exhibition will be open to all till 24 January 2025 at Alliance Française de Dhaka's Gulshan Brunch (R 8, H 7, Gulshan 1). Visiting Hours: Monday to Saturday from 11 am to 8 pm, Closed on Sunday. 

Thank you in advance for inserting this press release in your flash news. It will be highly appreciated if a cultural reporter and a photographer or a camera crew could be sent to cover this event. – Press release