When music is at the core of art
In a harmonious fusion of colours and emotions, artist Zahangir Alom invites viewers into a world of profound introspection with his third solo art exhibition, aptly named 'Songs of the Soul'
Every painting is different, every canvas portrays more than a picture. Yet somehow, they all feel connected, bound from a single string of colours and emotion.
Walking into the La Galerie of Alliance Française de Dhaka, I was greeted by an array of colourful canvases. The common underlying theme was the portrayal of nature and the artist's love for nature and humanity, bound together by the chords and harmony of Indian Classical Music. And most profoundly, the presence of a feminine entity.
Artist Zahangir Alom reassured me that my initial takeaway was not too far off.
"Music lives within me. Whenever I am painting, there's always music in the background. The music of nature inspires me. Bangla's nature, love and its women, all inspire me. But music is always at the core of everything," said Zahangir.
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"I tried translating the philosophical aspect of our mystique bards like Fakir Lalon and Shah Abdul Karim onto my canvas. Hence the name, Songs of the Soul," he added.
Zahangir's work stands out for its skillful portrayal of motion in still images. He achieves this by employing precise brushwork and texture, infusing his pieces with a tangible sense of movement and rhythm. This lively characteristic encourages viewers not just to observe the artwork, but to become enveloped in its flow.
His paintings often draw from neo-Bengal styles, celebrating the seasons, the earth's aroma after rain, the soulful notes of music, and characters from mythological tales like Radha, Lalita, Bishakha, and Behula. Each painting forms its own universe, captured within the artist's illusions.
"I always draw from memory. Till the point I feel I am fully painting my thoughts and inspirations onto the canvas, I keep working on it," he said.
He draws inspiration from nature's elements - soil, water, and forests - infusing his paintings with a musical essence. He favours bright reds, blues, yellows, oranges, and blacks in many of his pieces.
His depictions of towering trees and the play of light filtering through them create a sense of magic. Bright hues stand out even more against a backdrop of dark tones, creating captivating illusions that stem from a spiritual connection.
When it comes to the heavy feminine influence in his paintings, Zahangir reiterated that this was his way of paying homage to 'mothers.' Such an essence is clearly visible in the graceful movements of feminine figures in traditional dance forms like 'Gaudiya Nritya' to evocative ragas like 'Desh', 'Bageshree', 'Khamaj', or 'Malkauns.'
Alliance Française Dhaka provides an ideal backdrop for Alom's work. The serene ambience of the gallery space complements the contemplative nature of the exhibition, allowing visitors to engage with the art in a meditative and immersive manner.
