Women artists’ group Konna has organised its 10th group art exhibition titled ‘Kajol Rekha’r Deshe’, painting Kajol Rekha, a women character in Maimansingha Gitika, and her struggle at Safiuddin Shilpalay at Dhanmondi in the capital Dhaka.
Maimansingha Gitika is a collection of Bengali folk ballads from the region of eastern Mymensingh (now Netrakona) in Bangladesh.
A four-day exhibition displaying 48 artworks created by 24 women artists will end today.
The exhibition comprises paintings, prints and sculptures mostly inspired by Kajol Rekha who suffers a lot to get her own identity.
Artists, including Shadia Shamim Monsur, Lubna Habib, Monira Begum Lipe, Naznine Akhter, Zahida Akhter, Preety Deb and Tanha Tasnim Dia are participating in the exhibition curated by Konna founder Shakila Chayan.
Lubna Habib’s acrylic on canvas painting titled ‘Wing to Fly’ shows a woman with her long hair and a bird flying.
Tanha Tasnim Dia’s acrylic on canvas titled ‘Shukhpakhi’ portrays Kajol Rekha in a modern Bengali girl wearing sari and Jaba flower in her hair interacting with a colourful bird. Â
Zahida Akhter’s green marble stone sculpture titled ‘Unbeaten’ shows an abstract figure with fractured texture.
Shakila Chayan’s acrylic on canvas titled ‘Dharmamoti Shukhpakhi’ shows sad Kajol Rekha telling her story to the special bird after she failed to marry the prince.
Shakila said that their exhibition captured the heritage of folk tales and aimed to promote the story of Bengali women.
‘Maimansingha Gitika also portrays Bengal’s society, ritual and economy of 400 years ago. The folk tale Kajol Rekha depicts a harmless girl while her life depends on a mysterious bird,’ Shakila said, adding that they formed the group in 2019.
The exhibition was inaugurated by renowned painter Syed Abul Barak Alvi on August 16 while artist Kamal Uddin was present as special guest and Bengal Foundation director general Luva Nahid Choudhury chaired the inaugural ceremony.
