BRAVEHEART: Gallery Cosmos pays rich artistic tribute to Bangabandhu

Since Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and nearly all of his family members were brutally assassinated on August 15, 1975, the eighth month of the Gregorian calendar has always held special significance for Bangladeshis as one for mourning and reflection.

Bangabandhu’s tireless contributions to improving the lot of his people, today’s Bangladeshis, mark him out as one of the 20th century’s tallest leaders. A natural born leader of men, he was also a man of culture - and he proved that from time to time, by always supporting and patronising Bangladeshi arts and culture, as well as the artists.

Echoing this motto, Gallery Cosmos has been organising its highly acclaimed tribute events observing the National Mourning Day in August since 2015 - and continuing the journey, this year Gallery Cosmos is hosting an exclusive group-art, photography and installation exhibition titled ‘BRAVEHEART’ from 12 to 31st August at Cosmos Centre in the capital.

Mofidul Hoque, a founding Trustee of the Liberation War Museum Bangladesh, virtually inaugurated the exhibition on Friday as the chief guest, while eminent artist and freedom fighter Biren Shome, renowned sculptor Bhaskar Rasha and Heru Hartanto Subolo, ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia, joined the inauguration ceremony as the special guests. Supported by the Cosmos Foundation, the exhibition’s inauguration ceremony was also joined by Tehmina Enayet, Director of Gallery Cosmos and Masud Jamil Khan, Deputy Managing Director of Cosmos Group.

Apart from the Bangabandhu family, a true hero also sacrificed his life on that day as the only one who acted on their leader’s call to try and save him. The only one, who despite impossible odds, answered the call of duty. The one man whose story, on a day for jackals, offers the nation some redemption. He is of course none other than Shaheed Brigadier General (posthumous) Jamil Uddin Ahmad, ‘Bir Uttam’, or as he is immortalised in the hearts and minds of Bangladeshis, Colonel Jamil.

Reminiscing those brutal periods from her memory lane, Colonel Jamil’s elder daughter and Gallery Cosmos Director Tehmina Enayet said, “During that tragic night, the assassinators did not show mercy to anyone, not even Bangabandhu’s youngest child Sheikh Russel. Through this commemorative exhibition, we are not only mourning our Father of the Nation and his family but also honouring them with the utmost respect which they deserve.”

Eminent artist and freedom fighter Biren Shome said, “When I first got admitted to Charukala (now the Faculty of Fine Art), Dhaka University in 1964, I saw how Bangabandhu fought to establish the rights of Bangladesh and its people. Cultural activists have always been an integral part of the political movements during that period, under the great leadership of Bangabandhu. Through this tribute exhibition, I believe the respect that our great Father of the Nation deserves, is being accurately conveyed.”

The inauguration event was also joined by artist Bhashkar Rasha, who recited his self-written tribute poem titled ‘Mohan Neta’ (Great Leader).

The exhibition is showcasing artworks of several prominent Bangladeshi artists, including Shahabuddin Ahmed, Biren Shome, Alakesh Ghosh, Nasir Ali Mamun, Afrozaa Jamil Konka, Bashkor Rasha, Shahajahan Ahmed Bikash, Azmeer Hossain, Bishwajit Goswami, Abu Kalam Shamsuddin, Devdas Malakar, Dilip Karmakar, Sourav Chowdhury, Abdullah Al Bashir, Iqbal Bahar Chy, Maneek Bonik, Kamruzzoha, Azmol Hossain, Mohammed Fakhrul Islam Mazumder Shakil and Md Rafiqul Islam.

Prior to the formal inauguration of this exclusive exhibition, the day began with a unique art camp. A vibrant team of 12 child artists and future master painters participated in the group art camp at the exhibition venue and showcased their heartfelt tribute to the Father of the Nation through their flamboyant brushstrokes on the canvases.

Visitors can explore the exhibition at the Cosmos Centre, Malibagh in the capital till August 31.