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SERENADING SOIL

Dr. Chanchai mingles heritage with modernity

Zahangir Alom
Soon after you enter Zainul Gallery-1 of the Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA), University of Dhaka, you will marvel at the beauty of art. The aesthetic melody of soil will speak to you. The rays of beauty produced from the simple pottery will splendidly catch your artistic senses.
Dr. Azharul Islam Sheikh Chanchai, Chairman and an Associate Professor of the Department of Ceramics of FFA, DU, is showcasing an array of artworks in a solo show titled "Simple Pottery Exposition”. Professor Samarjit Roy Choudhury, Professor Tazmeri SA Islam, Professor Syed Abul Barq Alvi [Dean of FFA, DU], Professor Farida Zaman, AMM Farhad, M Mukhles, Poet Faisal Shah and Dr. Sk. Manir Uddin jointly inaugurated the show on September 24.
The exhibition reminds us of our centuries-old opulent heritage blended with a brilliant touch of modernity. Dr. Chanchai has portrayed exquisite paintings on the canvas of soil. The glaze, coupled with marvelous use of colours, unparallel textures and decorative motifs has made every piece of his works poetic. Dr. Chanchai serenades the soulful songs of the soil through lyrical lines and luminous landscapes on the body of pottery. The artist has used stoneware pottery as media of all his works on varied sizes.
Chanchai feels an inseparable bond with the soul of the soil. His nostalgia still revolves around the chak of the potters. The artist's unrelenting quest for rendering his subtle aesthetic senses into the purview of his artistic creations has so far made
a hallmark of his own. Dr. Chanchai has already earned acclaims from celebrated artists, sculptors, critics and connoisseurs through his terracotta sculptures displayed at the same venue in 2013.
"As an artist and teacher, I feel an urge and liability to revive and mobilise the trend of ceramic art both at national and international level. I noticed a type of vacuum in the field and was determined to carry forward the legacy. I have tried to mingle the essence of heritage with modernity so that the art of ceramics flourish distinctively
with incorporating saranga (six qualities of a painting) in it,” said Dr. Chanchai.
"Dr. Chanchai has incorporated modern and universal taste for the art connoisseurs. The exhibition precisely represents entire Bengal and timeless folksy Bengal. It is a huge presentation of works that actually capture an extensive beauty. I have hardly noticed such an exhibition in my 30-years artistic life," said Mukul Kumar Barai, an Associate Professor of the Department of Sculpture of FFA, DU.
"Dr. Azharul Islam Sheikh Chanchal's artworks evoke
colourful expression. His entire presentation carries an aesthetic quality that is inspiring for his students and forthcoming artists. As a teacher, he has been performing the job brilliantly," said Dr. Malay Bala, an Assistant Professor of the Department of Oriental Art of FFA, DU.
"The exposition takes us to the lap of soil from where we were born, live and are bound to be depleted into. As a competent successor of Maran Chand Paul, Dr. Chanchai has revived the trend and style of ceramics in a fitting manner," said Nasir Ali Mamun, celebrated photographer and art collector.
An anthology titled "Mritshilper Nandonik Roopakar" on Dr. Chanchai, written by 51 noted contemporary artists and critics, was published earlier this month. Dr. Sk. Manir Uddin, Chairman of the Department of Art History, FFA DU, edited the book.
The artist roamed around entire Bengal and the world at large to accomplish his Ph.D dissertation "Ceramics of Bengal: Tradition to Contemporary". He is also a co-founder of "Vertical", an art and craft research studio. He has so far held many exhibitions, accomplished works on varied media including terracotta, sculpture, mosaic and tiles, mural portrait, wood-metal and fountains including one -29 portraits (bronze) of Mujibnagar Muktijoddha Smriti Kendra, Meherpur, Kushtia. He also received many awards and grants.
The exposition has been dedicated to the memory of renowned ceramist Maran Chand Paul. The show, opening from 12pm to 8pm everyday, ends on September 30.