Fahin Rahman Aungkita

I was pleasantly surprised to find very few tickets left for an afternoon show on a working day for an anime movie screening in Bangladesh. Outside the halls, a sizeable crowd waited, dressed up in haoris of their favourite characters. “Demon Slayer Infinity Castle” is here at Star Cineplex, and the hype is real. 

The terrace slowly filled with people, with members of different indigenous communities and Bengalis alike. A white wooden shed displayed the main artworks of the exhibition, while the rest of the walls were lined with photographs capturing indigenous life and culture. In front of a hand-painted banner promising a day of art, poetry, music, and discussions, the event “Culture for Identity: From Soil to Soul” began.

The stage was decorated with peacocks and butterflies, and amidst these colourful presences were the talented students of Kanon, a specialised institution of the Autism Welfare Foundation (AWF), with their vibrant mediums of artistic expression.

To have passed by the Shontrash Birodhi Raju Sharokh Bhashkorjo (Anti Terrorism Raju Memorial Sculpture) one day and to then have stood before its maker the next, was a surreal experience. The moment felt extraordinary, yet, the man I stood before made the the interaction remarkably humble. To me, speaking with sculptor Shyamal Chowdhury equalled reconnecting with an old friend — as though he was back in the art scene after years and was describing art like it were the essence of his existence.

Once the attendees were let in, the hall was barely half-filled. Overlooking the big red curtains of the stage, a mother cat and kitten duo playfully wandered around the auditorium for an unscheduled and whimsical first act of the show. Who could have predicted that the hall full of audience would surge to the front, midway through the show, transforming the seated concert into a captivating celebration?

With each artist contributing two paintings, the exhibition features 108 artworks spread across the well-lit gallery. While there is no singular theme, the collection underscores the intricacy and versatility of watercolour as a medium. Encompassing diverse subjects—from the seasons of Bangladesh to urban vignettes, rural landscapes, the July uprising, and abstract compositions—the exhibition offers a broad spectrum of artistic expressions.

It’s almost impossible not to talk about Chandler Bing when talking about Matthew Perry when the man behind the character himself said, "It wasn't that I thought I could play Chandler; I was Chandler."

Art has always played a significant role in Bangladesh, from moving songs during the Liberation War to modern-day political art. Emphasising this historical context alongside the influence of today’s artists, ‘Day 2’ featured the second dialogue, titled “Artists Leading Paths: Artists in Policymaking.”