Jayatu Chakma’s artistic world
His creativity started in a Rangamati that appeared vastly different from the bustling town it is today. Back then, there was only one art school in the entire district. Jayatu Chakma spent his childhood observing the rugged beauty of the hills and the rhythmic lifestyle of the Chakma community.
While his peers were encouraged to pursue more practical professions, he found his solace in the tip of a pencil. Growing up amidst the undulating landscape, he was less interested in the literal and more in the essence of his surroundings. His earliest strokes were a response to the vibrant yet quiet life of his area. Even as a child, his work was characterised by a meticulous attention to detail, a trait that would later define his professional career.
"I just drew what I saw. But as I grew older, I realised that what I saw was disappearing," he said.
His formal education took him from the vibrant corridors of Chittagong University to the historic halls of Rabindra Bharati University in Kolkata. Those years were transformative. They provided him with the tools to refine his craft, but more importantly, they gave him the distance needed to look back at his roots with a sharper, more critical eye.
For a long time, he had balanced his creative drive with a professional career in education. He served as an art teacher at the Chittagong Grammar School, guiding the next generation of creative minds. However, the pull of the canvas eventually became too strong to ignore.
In 2021, he made the courageous decision to leave the security of a steady job and embrace the life of a full-time freelance artist.
"It was a gamble, but I realised I couldn't speak two languages at once," he explains keenly. "To truly acclaim the stories I wanted to tell, I had to be willing to live them completely. The transition was difficult, but it allowed my work to gain a new level of depth and sincerity."
Jayatu describes himself as an artist who works in thematic series rather than single frames, allowing a thought to breathe across multiple surfaces. He possesses what he calls an "elephant memory" for the stories told by his father and elders.
To him, art is a medium of thinking, a way to force the viewer into a necessary moment of pause. He believes that an artist’s spirit must first be satisfied before a work can truly connect with others.
Last year, in his acclaimed solo exhibition, "Until the Rongrang Sings", Jayatu brought to life the legend of the Great Hornbill — the Rongrang — using it as a powerful symbol of identity and traditional continuity.
The exhibition highlighted his ability to blend ancient motifs with a modern, minimalist aesthetic. The bird’s bold shape connected old traditions with modern art, standing as a quiet watcher within his work.
Besides his mastery over acrylic and watercolour, Jayatu successfully blends diverse mediums, including intricate needlework and digital prints. His style is distinct for its use of flat, geometric planes and sharp, contrasting colours that evoke the patterns of indigenous textiles.
By weaving actual thread into his canvases, he bridges the gap between craft and fine art, making the tactile experience of his roots accessible to an international audience. Each piece is a layered narrative where the physical and the digital collide to form a new visual dialect.
Also in 2024, Jayatu won the International Minority Artist Award prize in Geneva. This honour recognises his ability to translate stories of his people into a universal language of art. Afterwards, he has since showcased his work in several solo and group exhibitions in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
His commitment to his studio is unshakeable, often choosing the isolation of his thoughts over the noise of the city to ensure his work remains authentic.
This honesty is what attracts both collectors and curators. Whether it is a painting reflecting the rebellious soul of the hills or an installation that uses indigenous materials to evoke a sense of home, Jayatu’s work is layered with meaning.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. As he stands at the peak of his career, Jayatu Chakma remains deeply connected to the youth of his community. His advice to any young boys and girls from the Hill Tracts is as raw and authentic as his art. Looking forward, Jayatu wants to be remembered not just as an award-winning painter but as a guardian of memory.
Photo: Courtesy
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