Prominent artist and former chairman of Bangladesh Shishu Academy Mustafa Monwar on March 30 said that an artist needs to find joy in creativity, not in making money at an art event. The event titled 'Akajer Manush' was held at the studio of Cosmos Centre in Malibagh in the city. Mustafa Monwar attended the session as the key speaker where he shared his views on traditional art and culture of Bangladesh with the studio members. Artists, poets, photographers, architects and filmmakers, among others, attended the session.
"It doesn't matter how much you earn with artworks, rather it is how much you put as your efforts in your art for your own happiness, that matters," he told the third edition of Art-Echo, a monthly talk-show of Cosmos-Atelier 71.
During the discussion, he shed lights on different forms of traditional arts that reflect rural Bangladesh.
The Ekushey Padak recipient, also said, "The fact is that I respect my devotion to art and see it as my biggest achievement."
Mustafa Monwar is a Bangladeshi artist. He is a painter, sculptor, radio performer and professor of fine arts. He is currently the chairman of Bangladesh Shishu Academy. He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 2004 by the Government of Bangladesh.
Monwar is the son of poet Golam Mostofa. He passed his matriculation exam from Narayanganj Government High School. He was initially admitted to the Scottish Church College of the University of Calcutta where he studied science. Following the advice of the author Syed Mujtaba Ali, he transferred to the Government College of Art & Craft, Kolkata from where he graduated obtaining best result in his class.
Monwar started his career as lecturer at the East Pakistan College of Arts and Crafts. Later, he joined Bangladesh Television (BTV) as director general. Later he became the director general of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and the National Media Institute. He also served as a managing director of the FDC.
During the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971, he organised puppet shows at the refugee camps in West Bengal (now Pacchim Bangla). His created puppet plays like Agachha (Weed), Rakkhash (Monster) and A Brave Farmer. He was known as the "Puppet Man of Bangladesh". American documentary filmmaker Lear Levin visited Bangladesh to make a film on his puppets. These scenes were later added to Tareque Masud's film Muktir Gaan.
Monwar's television puppet show Moner Kotha ran on BTV for 12 years. It tells the story of a little girl called Parul and her seven brothers named Champa who were cursed and turned into flowers. It is based on the folklore Saat Bhai Champa. He runs Dhaka-based organisation Educational Puppet Development Centre (EPDC).
Monwar has been married to Merry Monwar since 1965. Together they had one daughter, Nandini Monwar and one son, Sadat Monwar.
He has received many awards including All India Fine Arts Competition Award, Zainul Abedin Gold Medal, Ekushey Padak, Anando Bichitra Award and more.
