Ramiz Ahmed Chowdhury Saju: The legacy of an art connoisseur

Dhaka's arts and culture scene may not hold a candle to the grandeur of the world's major metropolises. But still you would find a handful of full-fledged art galleries alongside smaller, more modest gallery shops scattered across the city, showcasing and selling the creations of local artists. 

Yet, rewind fifty years, and the landscape was vastly different. Back then, the idea of buying, collecting, or preserving art was unheard of, and access to art was far from commonplace.

The mid-seventies marked a turning point for Dhaka's art scene, largely due to the efforts of Ramiz Ahmed Chowdhury, affectionately known as Saju within the art community. Saju became a pioneering figure in the promotion of Bangladeshi art, one of the first to champion the collection, exhibition, and commercialisation of local artists' work. 

At a time when no formal structure existed for artists to showcase their creations or share their visions, Saju's initiatives were nothing short of revolutionary. What might seem like a modest accomplishment today was, in reality, a transformative moment for the city. Through his art gallery endeavours, Saju not only nurtured local talent but also created an essential artistic hub in a city that desperately needed one.

One of the pioneers of development of art in the country, a lifelong connoisseur and enthusiast of art and best recognised for founding Saju Art Gallery, Ramiz Ahmed Chowdhury Saju passed away to old age complications around 2:30 PM on 7 December at the age of 82. 

Yet, Saju left behind far more than memories—he left a legacy. His contributions to the growth and accessibility of Bangladeshi art have ensured that today's artists have a platform to thrive, and for that, he will always be remembered with gratitude.

Saju, a native of Cox's Bazar, relocated to Dhaka as a teenager, where he discovered his passion for art through his connections and friendships with active artists and painters in the city. At the time, selling art relied heavily on direct interaction between artists and buyers. 

Leveraging the network he had cultivated, Saju began acting as a bridge between the two, facilitating transactions and gaining traction in the process. By 1974, he turned his growing success into a formal business, renting a shop on the first floor of what was then known as Gulshan DIT Market and launching 'Saju Arts and Crafts'.

Initially having started out with framing work, Saju's business flourished over the next few years. He expanded steadily, acquiring more shop spaces, and by the mid-eighties, 'Saju Art Gallery' had transformed into a prominent establishment in Gulshan which could easily accommodate up to 60-70 art pieces. The gallery's spacious layout and impressive collection of artworks became a magnet for art enthusiasts, while even casual market-goers found themselves drawn to the gallery, captivated by the beauty of the displayed pieces.

"During those times, selling art through a gallery was extremely tough from a business point of view. People did not know much about art, selling them was a whole different ball game and Saju bhai, in a way, revolutionised it," says revered artist Kanak Chanpa Chakma.

Saju Art Gallery had a noble purpose—to blend the promotion of local art with the practicalities of commerce. This ambitious vision was warmly embraced by the artistic community, who supported Saju in every possible way to help his venture succeed.

"Slowly it became a full-fledged collection of different artists. From Bangladesh, almost every famous artist had their artwork exhibited there," reminisces Goutam Chakroborty, founder of Uttara's Galleri Kaya. 

Saju organised an annual exhibition at the gallery, while the rest of the year was dedicated to selling paintings. Building an art market from the ground up demanded relentless effort, and Saju poured his energy into laying a solid foundation. He became a key figure in inspiring buyers, cultivating a culture that valued and invested in art.

During that time, artists had limited opportunities to sustain themselves through their craft. Many relied on work with textbook boards, private publishers, or advertising agencies to make ends meet. Saju stepped in to bridge the gap by collecting works from various artists and exhibiting them. When these pieces sold, they provided much-needed financial support to the creators.

He would often purchase artwork in bulk from young artists, paying them directly. Though the amounts might not have been large, they were significant enough to help these artists earn a living from their creations. In his own way, Saju helped meet the needs of artists and opened up new opportunities for them to thrive in their profession.

"One cannot overlook the benefits Saju's gallery brought to artists. It offered a platform for their work to gain visibility, which, in turn, helped bring art into the practical spheres of everyday life," says veteran artist Hashem Khan who was one of the first few artists that Saju associated himself with after relocating to Dhaka.

"The way he uplifted the art scene cannot be overstated, and for that, we artists remain deeply grateful to him," Hashem added.

One other aspect of the gallery that made it stand apart was its contribution to the exposure of our local art and artists to foreigners and diplomats. Gulshan, acting as a hub for many foreign residents or professionals, Saju always used to maintain professional relationships with them. Over the decades, this led to pools of foreigners coming into Saju Art Gallery and buying a piece of Bangladeshi art. 

"Saju Art Gallery mostly displayed and sold traditional artworks. Paintings of flowers, rainy days, villages, and rickshaws filled Saju's gallery. Since it was a well maintained commercial space, many foreigners would visit him and would leave with a memento, a depiction of Bangladesh," says artist Nazia Andaleeb Preema, who also had a couple of her own solo exhibitions at the very gallery.

Saju's passion for art was so profound that he ensured his eldest son studied at an art college. To this day, his son continues to uphold Saju's legacy by managing the gallery. Even one of Saju's younger brothers was once involved with the gallery's operations. Sadly, in his later years, Saju suffered from prolonged illness, which eventually claimed him. Now it's up to his son and the present day artists whom he impacted, to carry on the legacy of Ramiz Ahmed Chowdhury Saju.