‘Finding Nirvana in Life: Buddha of Bengal’ art exhibition at AFD

‘Finding Nirvana in Life: Buddha of Bengal’ art exhibition at AFD

Dhaka, May 20 (UNB) - The group art exhibition titled "Finding Nirvana in Life: Buddha of Bengal," featuring 42 artists from Bangladesh and India, began at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) on Monday.

Organised by the cultural organisation Oriental Painting Study Group (OPSG), the exhibition showcases 71 artworks. 

A total of 33 Bangladeshi and nine Indian artists are showcasing their diverse artwork in the media, including Oriental Painting, Sculpture, Ceramics, Paintings on Palm Leaves, Rickshaw Painting, Cinema Banner Painting, Wash Painting, Gouache Painting, Calligraphy Painting, Tempera, and Patachitra. The exhibition is curated by Mikhail I Islam. 

Buddhist Vante Sanghananda Mohathero, Principal, Sylhet Bouddha Bihar; François Grosjean, Director, Alliance Française de Dhaka; and Dr Saymon Zakaria, Bangladeshi folk researcher and Deputy Director of the Department of Research, Bangla Academy, joined the inauguration ceremony of the exhibition.

The ceremony was followed by the premiere of the play "Nirvana" at AFD’s Courtyard at 7:30 pm, directed by Dr Lata Samadder. The play was adapted from Ashwa Ghosh's 'Buddhacharita’, translated by Sadhankamal Chowdhury. 

Lata Samadder and Md Zahidul Islam jointly transformed the play, which was performed by the students of the Department of Theatre and Media Studies, Tejgaon College, Dhaka, and the members of OPSG. Professor Dr Md Harun-Or-Rashid, Principal, Tejgaon College, Dhaka, inaugurated the premiere show of the play. 

Additionally, there will be special events for the next three days, marking the exhibition. Dr Niru Shamsun Nahar, researcher, author, and former director of the Bangladesh National Museum, will present a paper titled ‘Buddhist Lifestyle in Terracotta Art of Ancient Bengal (8th–12th Century A.D.)’ at 5:30 pm on May 21, Tuesday. 

The second show of the play ‘Nirvana’ will be staged at the same venue and time on May 22, Wednesday; and the artists of Bhavnagar Sadhusangha will offer the performance of Charjapada Songs of Ancient Bengal at 5:30 pm on May 23, Thursday.

The exhibition will remain open to all till Thursday, May 23, every day from 3 to 9 pm.-UNB