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The cultural features, norms, food
habits, etc of Bengal are not something unique to West-Bengal but they
are rather widely shared in the entire eastern region from Assam to
Orissa and eastern Bihar taking in the sweep the new country of
Bangladesh. This entire region was once a part of the undivided Bengal
Presidency. The art and literature of this entire region is thus very
much similar and distinct from that of the rest of India.
Thus it is no wonder that artists of this
entire region share almost similar aspirations, similar thoughts and
concerns. Artists like Jatin Das or Wasim Kapoor who do not come
from the strict confines of West-Bengal are highly regarded in
Bengal Art Circles. Many other artists like Manu Parekh (hailing
from UP) and BR Panesar (hailing from
Punjab) have been associated with the most prominent
art group of our times: the
Society of Contemporary Artists
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A painting by Jatin
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Thus in
post
independence India, Bengal continues to be a confluence of art
in Eastern India with its centre at Kolkata. Kolkata with its
innumerable galleries, art-institutions continues to remain an
important centre for art in the
post-liberalization
phase of India as well.
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An acrylic work by
Manu Parekh |
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Bangladesh, which is today a distinct
political entity, had once been a part of the Greater Bengal
and shared similar cultural norms as those of the present day
West Bengal. Before the partition of Bengal, artists from both
sides of the divide traveled freely and the art of
pre-independence Bengal shows
marked references to scenes and motifs specific to areas which
are now in Bangladesh. Artists like
Jogen
Choudhuri who were born in areas which now fall in
Bangladesh took inspiration from Alpana drawings practiced
widely in Bangladesh villages. Many other present day artists
like Ganesh Paine and
Prokash Karmakar
had roots in Bangladesh |
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Zainul Abedin at work
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The greatest
artist of Bangladesh, and probably one of the greatest artist
of the Indian subcontinent was Zainul Abedin. He was born in
Kishoreganj (now in Bangladesh) but had come to study art at
the Government College of Art in
Kolkata. His talent was recognized when he was only 24 when
his British patrons arranged for an exhibition of his works in
London and then Paris. Both the shows were immense success. Zainul Abedin was however best known for his paintings on
Bengal Famine of the 1940s.
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Zainul Abedin's
painting on Bengal Famine |
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After
partition, Zainul had to go to East Pakistan, though from the begining he was against
the hegemonic rule of the new Pakistani Government. In 1970, he drew a
scroll named ‘Nabanno’ in protest against the marginalizing of Bengali
populace in East Pakistan. He also supported the freedom movement in
East Pakistan. In 1971, Bangladesh was formed with the aid of Indian
Military support. This brought new lease of life to Zainul Abedin as
some of his best works were created after this period |
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Chittoprosad's wood-cut
work on Tebhaga Movement |
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Another important artist and a contemporary of Zainul Abedin
was Chittoprosad Bhattacharya.
Chittoparsad was born in Naihati (in West Bengal) but had
traveled widely in Eastern Bengal as a member of the Communist
Party of undivided Bengal. He painted alongside Zainul Abedin
on Bengal Famine, the 1943’s Naval revolt and the Tebhaga
movement. Very little of Chittoprosad’s paintings are restored
today, apart from a collection which is restored at the Dhaka
Museum.
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A painting of Qamrul
Hassan |
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Quamrul Hassan, second in importance to Zainul Abedin in
Bangladesh was also a political voice and had painted on
important political issues affecting the country. SM Sultan
another important artist was born in Narail and had the
opportunity to come to Kolkata in the year 1938. But after the
partition of Bengal, he was lost completely to the art
world.
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