Online Desk: On the fourth death anniversary of the globally renowned painter and printmaker, the ‘Alluvial’ artist Kalidas Karmakar – an exclusive group art exhibition was inaugurated in the capital’s Safiuddin Shilpalay.

The exhibition showcases the artworks of Kalidas Karmakar who contributed to Bangladeshi art’s development with his vibrant and captivating creations, alongside the artworks of his three brothers – Dilip K Karmakar, Proshanta Karmakar Buddha and Devdas Karmakar.

It began with Tagore songs by singer Shahidul Haque as a tribute to the revered artist, the exhibition was inaugurated on Wednesday with Rubana Haque, Vice Chancellor of the Asian University for Women, being the chief guest of the inauguration ceremony which was presided over by eminent thespian and cultural personality Ramendu Majumdar.

US Embassy in Bangladesh Public Affairs Counselor Stephen Ibelli and Kids Tutorial Principal Farzana Ahmed joined as the special guests at the inauguration ceremony, alongside the brothers of the ‘Alluvial’ artist, and his admirers from different walks of life.

“When I was coming to this event today, I was constantly remembering how wonderful of a person Kali da (Kalidas Karmakar) was. I am fortunate to have many of his paintings, and he was such a majestic artist throughout his entire life,” Rubana Haque said at the event.

“More than 50 of his exhibitions were held in 70 countries, and his artworks were universal because they spoke on behalf of our aching hearts,” she added. US Embassy in Bangladesh Public Affairs Counselor Stephen Ibelli also said that many of Kalidas Karmakar’s artworks have been exhibited in the United States.”

Kalidas Karmakar’s brother Proshanta Karmakar Buddha said, “Our elder brother, the artist Kalidas Karmakar, had wished to organize a joint painting exhibition with his three other brothers for a long time. Today, we all came together to fulfil his dream in his memory, marking his 4th anniversary.”

A total of 63 paintings are being showcased in the exhibition. Among these, 22 paintings were made by artist Kalidas Karmakar, and the rest of the paintings are made by his three brothers – Dilip K Kumar, Proshanta Karmakar Buddha and Devdas Karmakar.

A maestro of printmaking especially viscosity printing, Kalidas Karmakar’s diverse artworks featuring metallic and other objects, handmade paper, and oil on canvas prints have been widely exhibited throughout South Asia, the Middle East, Europe, the United States and many other places across the world.

His maiden solo art exhibition was held at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on August 7, 1976.

Throughout his acclaimed career, he received multiple prestigious scholarships and fellowships including the Polish Government Scholarship in Graphic Art at the Warsaw Academy of Fine Art, Warsaw University; the French Government Superior Scholarship in Fine Arts for research in multicolour etching at Atelier-17, in Paris; Japan Foundation Fellowship on Japanese Woodblock Printing at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music; ICCR Special Scholarship for research in Contemporary Modern Sculpture, West Bengal Lalit Kala Academy Studio; and Asian Cultural Council New York, Fellowship with Artist Residency program in the US.

For his remarkable contribution to the Bangladeshi fine arts, Kalidas Karmakar was awarded the Shilpakala Padak in 2016 and the Ekushey Padak in 2018.

The exhibition will continue till October 22, open for visitors daily from 11 am to 8 pm.