Srabon Ronge: The colours of Monsoon
The exhibition displays the diverse beauty of Bangladesh’s monsoon through the perspectives of 10 artists
Under the glow of green and blue spotlights, the room transforms into a canvas of monsoon's many moods.
Paintings line the walls, each capturing a story — from a city so drenched in rain it feels as if it could be wrung dry, to the tender kiss of sunlight breaking through stormy skies. Amidst these vivid depictions, one truth emerges: monsoon is not merely a season; it is a poet with countless verses to share.
These paintings are displayed in Gallery The Illusion's exhibition, 'Srabon Ronge', which comprises the works of 10 artists. The exhibition opened on 15 November and was scheduled to end on 23 November, but was extended for two more days. The venue is open for all from 11am to 11pm.
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Curator Karu Titas shortlisted artists whose works focus on nature.
While rain and monsoon go hand in hand, the curator encouraged the artists to bring out their interpretations of the season.
That is why, you will come across paintings that stand out, such as depictions of tepa putul in 'Matir Manush' and drawings of faces appearing melancholic in 'Bishad'. Even under one theme, there is a strong variety of artwork.
It is impossible to speak about the concept of Srabon without addressing the months of July and August. After all, that is when the exhibition was originally scheduled for. However, due to the turmoil during those months, the exhibition was postponed.
The world is never without its troubles, yet art offers an escape — a moment to step away from reality or, at times, to relive it. This exhibition firmly belongs to the former, providing a sanctuary from life's burdens.
"Now, anxiety has taken over, so it is understandable if people have temporarily lost their interest in the little joys such as art. But we are still trying to help people find solace in art through our exhibition," commented Titas.
The art feels like a solace for people struggling with the daily worries of life. The cool tones of the rainy season relax the eyes while filling viewers like myself with a longing to explore nature.
I keep revisiting one of the pieces, titled 'Water Lily', by Rotneshwar Sutradhar. The techniques used by the artist manage to create a piece that makes you think you are looking at a pond where lilies are blooming. The painting holds a sense of serenity that makes it hard to look away.
The curator succeeds at creating a perfect balance of paintings. Small and big canvases were not shoved onto the walls, rather they were spread out in such a manner that does not overwhelm the senses.
"I didn't want the room to overflow with paintings, I wanted the attention to remain on the few pieces displayed. The artists handed over several paintings but I only kept four from each artist," shared Titas.
With the gallery's ambience and the nature-inspired paintings surrounding you, the exhibition offers a respite from life's stresses, allowing viewers to reconnect with their inner peace.
TBS Picks
Gunjori by Mukti Bhoumik
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
The curator mentions how the colours of nature entirely change during the monsoon, and that rings true for this painting. The piece depicts a dragonfly landing on grass. The droplets of water on the blade of grass and the insect's wings show the attention to detail and tie it in with the exhibition's theme.
Water Lily by Rotneshwar Sutradhar
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
The painting depicts a pond filled with blooming water lilies. The artist uses different techniques, creating the smooth backdrop of the pond's water, reflecting the sunlight. Atop it, the water lilies are created with stamping brush strokes, separating it from the pond entirely. The midday light reflected off the pond instils a feeling of serenity.
Music of Old Dhaka by M M Maksud Biplob
Medium: Watercolour on paper
The artist, originally an architect, brings his canvas to life with an image of Dhaka on a rainy day. You can almost hear the sounds of wheels moving over puddles in the bustling image. Yet, the artist manages to tone down the chaos of the image by using contrasting hues — blue for the wet roads and beautiful shades of yellow take over the buildings and cars.
Shyamo Gombhir Horoshey by Al-Akhir Sarkar
Medium: Watercolour on paper
The painting stands out from the rest because it does not try to feel serene. It is filled with energy, brought to life through its sharp and spontaneous brushstrokes. The speckles of green are overlapped by yellow and bits of red, which bring warmth to the colour palette, and add to the energetic feel of the painting.
