Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin’s 109th birth anniv being observed

The 109th birth anniversary of the master painter and pioneering art educator Zainul Abedin, widely revered as the Shilpacharya (great master of fine arts) and the most respected artist in the country.

Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin was born on December 29, 1914, in Kishoreganj in then-British India, and was a key figure in the establishment of the Dhaka University Faculty of Fine Art (FFA) and the Folk Art Museum in Sonargaon, Narayanganj.

The artist community is celebrating the 109th birth anniversary of the Shilpacharya with a variety of celebrations, most notably the traditional ainul Utshab by Dhaka Universitys Faculty of Fine Art and Bangladesh Folk Art & Crafts Foundation.
This year, the Faculty of Fine Art is also celebrating its 75th founding anniversary alongside the ainul Utshab. The festivity is decorated with rickshaw art, paying homage to its latest UNESCO-recognition.

DU Vice-Chancellor Prof ASM Maksud Kamal inaugurated the festival as its chief guest on Friday at the Bakultala of the FFA premise.

The event was also joined by DU FFA Emeritus Professors and eminent artists Hashem Khan and Rafiqun Nabi who handed over the prestigious ainul Award 2023 to the respective art luminaries.

Dhaka University Pro VC Professor Dr Muhammad Samad, Treasurer Professor Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed and Shilpacharyas youngest son Engineer Mainul Abedin also joined the inauguration ceremony as the special guests.

Earlier, the Faculty of Fine Art and other art organizations placed floral wreaths on the grave of the Shilpacharya in the morning.    —UNB