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Murtaja Baseer turns 81

A versatile genius

Takir Hossain
Murtaja Baseer, considered one of the foremost painters of Bangladesh, has established his individual style. I Ie is also known as a versatile genius. Throughout his illustrious career, Baseer has gradually transformed his working style into abstract realism.
Today marks the 81st birth anniversary of the painter. The artist is the son of Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah, an outstanding scholar and linguist.
Baseer was born in 1932. He joined Dacca Art College (now the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka) as a student in 1949. He is still actively exploring the diverse world of art. He has done a series of works articulating contemporary life and issues. Hope, aspiration, longing, deprivation and visions are evoked with passion in his images.
Many are perhaps not familiar with Baseer's other identities as a poet, short story writer, novelist, researcher, numismatist and filmmaker. Baseer has written novels and was acclaimed for his meticulous style and unique choice of themes. In 1954, he wrote a novel, titled "Ultramarine” The novel was based on the contemporary life in Kolkata and the prevailing social issues. He had published a collection of short stories called “Kanch-er Pakhir Gaan” in 1969. He wrote two more novels - “Mitar Shangey Char Shandha” and “Amitakkhar” He has a collection of selected works, “Murtaja Baseer: Murto O Bimurto”. He was a regular contributor to now defunct literary journals like “Dilruba”, “SamakaT and “Saogat.”
Baseer's first published poem was “Parbe Na”. The poem delved deep into patriotism and socialism. It was included in “Ora Pran Dilo”, a compilation of poems on the Language Movement, which was published from Calcutta (now Kolkata) in 1952.
Reading Baseer's poetry is like undergoing an emotional journey. As a poet, he is a modernist in the whole sense. His style is unquestionably unique, expressive and easily comprehensible. When readings his poems, one feels the yearnings of a lonely soul, unbound sorrow, the vacuum in a melancholic heart. Baseer's poems are voyages into fantasy.
During the Liberation War, Baseer left the country for Paris with his family. Baseer stayed in Paris till June 1973. While in Paris, he studied mosaic and etching at Beaux Arts, a recognised institute. During that period, he wrote 18 poems. Most of the poems are themed on romanticism, patriotism and individualism.
In 1973, Baseer returned to Bangladesh and joined Chittagong University as an assistant professor.
Baseer has also worked as a screenplay writer, art director and chief assistant director for the Bangla film “Nadi O Nari” in 1964, and as an art director for the Urdu film “Kaise Kahoon” in 1965.
In 1987, he received a fellowship from British Council to carry out research on folk and traditional art of Bangladesh. In 1988, he visited several museums in Delhi, Calcutta, Banaras and 3000 villages under nine districts of West Bengal — under the fellowship of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). His work “Mudra O Shilalipir Aloke Banglar I labshi Sultan O Tothkalin Samaj” was published in 2004. Several articles by Baseer have been published in the Journal of the Numismatic Society of India, a prestigious publication.
“The Wings” is one of his noteworthy series, comprising of 37 paintings, articulating truth, beauty, romanticism and spirituality. The most significant part of the series is that all of the works have a deep correlation but each painting denotes its individuality. Baseer has maintained continuity in his works. Subtle forms and colours create a panoramic impact in his works. I lope, aspiration and strange visions are evoked with passion in his images. He has held several solo and group exhibitions in different parts of the world and has received a number of prestigious awards.