Zainul festival, folk-art fair underway at DU

The Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University is organising 'Zainul Festival' marking the 110th birth anniversary of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, the pioneer of modern art in the country.

Artists from different parts of the country have set up stalls of various types showcasing different handicrafts including metal, shola, clay dolls, wooden dolls, fans, nakshi kantha, pots, golas, shitalpati, shatranji, conch shells, masks, Manipuri looms and flutes at the festival's folk-art fair. The fair also includes an exhibition of art works by teachers and students of the faculty.

The festival was inaugurated by Dhaka University Treasurer Professor Dr M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury as the chief guest on Friday (December 27).

The inaugural ceremony was attended, among others, by Fine Arts Faculty Dean Professor Dr Azharul Islam Sheikh, Emeritus Professor Md Abul Hashem Khan, Professor Dr Md Abdus Sattar, Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed, Zainul Abedin’s son Engineer Moinul Abedin, Director of Bangladesh Folk and Crafts Foundation Kazi Mahbubul Alam, CEO of Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited Md Mohsin Habib Chowdhury, proprietor of Biswarong Biplob Saha, and teachers, students and artists of the faculty.

On the second day of the festival, Saturday (December 28), Professor Dr Md Abdus Sattar will deliver a memorial speech at 3:30pm. On the concluding day of the festival, Sunday (December 29), a wreath will be placed at the tomb of Shilpacharya at 9:00am. At 10:30am, Professor Mizanur Rahim and Professor Dr Rafiqul Alam will be awarded the ‘Zainul Sammanna 2024’ medal. The festival will end at 3:30pm with music, recitation, dance and fashion show performances by current and former students of the faculty.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan will be the chief guest at the closing ceremony.

The Faculty of Fine Arts has been organising this festival every year on the birth anniversary of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin.