'Cartoon e Bidroho': Revolution in red

For the longest time, August has been the month of mourning. For as long as I can remember, the country would dress itself in black and grow silent, grieving its past for a whole month.

But this year, the sound of the nation was different. The familiar stillness was shattered by the whir of bullets, the clash of opposing slogans locked in a fierce, relentless battle. As August approached, the country, in its usual manner, chose to cover itself in black, turning a deaf ear to the growing sounds of defiance.

Yet this time, the youth refused to follow suit. They embraced red, the colour of the martyrs' blood, a hue that mirrored the unbreakable spirit of resistance. Overnight, social media blazed with red. Students, adults, even businesses—nearly everyone stood in solidarity, painting a digital revolution.

At the exhibition titled 'Cartoon e Bidroho' at Drik Gallery, this vibrant red greets you the moment you step through the door. With over 300 pieces on display, Earki, Drik, and the Bangladesh Cartoonist Association have united to commemorate this pivotal moment in history—the uprising of the youth, the power of their voice, and the enduring strength of their spirit.

"We aimed to pay tribute to those who inspired us and highlighted our mistakes through satire," remarked ASM Rezaur Rahman, General Manager of Drik and curator of the exhibition.

"Cartoons have always been a powerful tool in protests, but for a long time, there was a noticeable absence of cartoonists. Various factors contributed to this silence," he explained.

He added that there was a pervasive culture of fear, discouraging people from speaking out. "However, during the student protests, we witnessed a remarkable shift as young cartoonists cast aside their fears and began creating political cartoons."

The exhibition itself feels like a time capsule of the month-long protests, where viewers come face to face with the bravery of both the artists and protesters. A pillar with graffiti, rows of political cartoons, all paired with the sound of rap music, singing of a rebellion. 

It goes without saying that to create such an event even two to three months ago would have been much more difficult. Unlike the rest of us, if you have not grown up with the same fear and censorship, then your eyes will only see the victory of the student protests. That is, until you cross your way towards the corner of the room where a television shows clips, narrating the events of July. 

"The video is here to remind people of the events of the whole month of protests, and what we all went through," said Rezaur.

But we believe the reality check comes even before you reach the television screen. 

At the back of the room stands a poignant installation—a tribute to the martyred Mir Mugdho. Suspended in the air, like haunting memories, are bottles of water labelled with his name, 'Mugdho'. 

Below his name, the words that shattered the hearts of millions are inscribed: "Paani lagbe… paani?"—a chilling reminder of how Mugdho had offered water and biscuits to protesters before he was tragically shot to death.

This exhibition serves as a living archive, capturing memories like this for the world to witness.

"The cartoons and posts on social media may reach many, but they eventually fade with time. We wanted to document history," said cartoonist Mehedi Haque, adding, "There are also those who might have missed parts of what happened, so we aimed to preserve everything in one place."

As your gaze sweeps over the countless comic depictions of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, you'll notice how the pieces are meticulously compiled onto banners, pinned and tied to the walls. Rezaur explained that the exhibition was designed to be transportable, allowing each piece of art to be easily displayed in various locations.

Mehedi further noted that all the works on display were created during the protests, between July and 5 August , capturing the raw emotion and intensity of those days.

The ongoing exhibition is open to all till 23 August from 3-8pm at Drik (8th floor).

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Debashish Chakrabarty

Chakrabarty's art style, in some ways, has encapsulated the sentiment of the protests. In fact, his art style gained popularity in an uncanny time, when Bangladesh went silent due to the internet black out. During this period, Chakrabarty shared his poster-like art, encouraging others to use it to spread the word. 

Being one of the first artists to step up, his art went viral. This specific piece portrays one of the original slogans that were chanted.

Morshed Mishu

Morshed Mishu is another prominent cartoonist, whose art went viral during the protest. During the whole month, the artist protested with his pen, creating many pieces such as this.

It depicts the murder — martyr of a protestor, whose light spreads like a fire throughout the movement. It does not only commemorate their sacrifice, like a candle vigil, but it also shows how courage is contagious.

Hasan Mahmud Sunny

Inspired by 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa' by Katsushika Hokusai, the piece shows a wave of red, with helmeted men in boats trying to escape, and with the backdrop of the Shaheed Minar. 

Embodying the wave, are the students who led the protests. The wave in the original art piece symbolises change, and it explores the futility of human struggles in comparison to the grand scheme of the world. 

The artist turns this piece on its head, showing how the youth had created a wave of change themselves. 

Mahatab Rashid 

This piece, among the many cartoons, encapsulates how satire is the best weapon in the matters of politics. During periods of darkness, only an over-the-top, humorous art style of comics can keep the conversation going with a lighthearted note.

Similarly, Rashid depicts Sheikh Hasina, escaping from the pile of dead bodies her throne stands on, grabbing onto a rope from what is presumably a helicopter.