November 30 marked the 2nd death anniversary of veteran Bangladeshi painter Qayyum Chowdhury. He was one of the distinguished figures of first generation artists of the country who had immense contributions to contemporary Bangladeshi art. He is possibly well known for his book cover design. He produced many paintings in different mediums.
Qayyum spent his boyhood in various districts of the country as his father's job frequently transferred him to different locations. Therefore, he got the opportunity to closely observe the translucent nature of the country and the people of the country. Afterwards, the themes came to his paintings enormously. Besides paintings, a great fervor for literature, music and film made his quests of life optimistic, variety seeking and a plentiful source of good taste.
Qayyum's works delve deep into folk, pastoral life and traditions. Most of his works highlight folk elements; and the recurring motifs are birds, greenery, flowers, fish, rural women carrying pitchers, peasants, freedom fighters, lush foliage and bulls. His realistic and semi-realistic works on the Bangladeshi countryside were marked by his lucid and personal technique. His excessive use of space provides grace to all his work that belongs to this sensuous grade. Tactile, sharp and stirring colours give that depth and shape to his drawings and paintings. Over the years, his use of colours and geometric forms had been applauded. He was a noted illustrator and he illustrated many books. It is very true that sometimes designs, and largely illustration, often take away from the aesthetics of his paintings.
Qayyum set out as a figurative painter. During the early stages of his career, his works focused on nature and human figures. Some of his works seem to convey a sense of solitude. The colours he generally used -- green, red, yellow and azure -- flow and merge with passion. The effortless intermingling of colours produce visions that are refreshing and his figures always seem enigmatic. By merging modern techniques with the traditional cultural heritage he enriched the field of artistic creativity in variety of ways. His technical intelligence and expressive power are noticeable.
Qayyum was the successor to Zainul Abedin and Qamrul Hassan. He ranged freely through the many chambered mansion of art. The uniqueness of his resourceful talent could be readily gauged. A fleeting look at any of his artworks shows the essential brilliance of his artistic idiom exposing novel aesthetic perspective. In his creations he presented the people, rural environments and its surrounding atmosphere, the rivers of Bangladesh and other aspects of nature. His art pieces are radiant with inventiveness, and in the field of watercolours and oil painting. His lines are as fluent as those of his illustrious predecessors. They also seek variety, sometimes produced feminine faces, sometimes natural scenes, sometimes capturing childhood memories.
Qayyum Chowdhury was born on March 9, 1934 at Feni. He was the most popular among the first generation artists of Bangladesh. He is famous for his cover designs - but his significance as a painter is immeasurable. He received many prestigious awards for his immense contributions to Bangladeshi art. He also received the first prize in the All Pakistan Art Exhibition held in Lahore. He also received the award of the Royal Court inn Teheran Biennale. He also received Shilpakala Academy Award, Ekushey Award, Shadinota Puroshkar, 6th Bangabandhu Award, Leipzig Book Fair Prize for Book Illustration, Gold medal for contribution in book design.
