Measuring history
Takir Hossain is impressed by a scholarly work
Sculptures in Bangladesh Eds Dr. Enamul Haque, Adalbert J. Gail The International Centre for Study of Bengal Art
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or mingling hard materials like marble or stone, stainless steel, thick tin, metal, glass, wood and more. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals. Bengal art has its own identity and magnificence. If we look back at history, we see that many different forms of sculpture were used in Bengal, with many pieces being religious art based on Hinduism and Buddhism. Sculptures in Bangladesh, a remarkable publication, is the outcome of a collaborative effort of five German scholars from the Institute for Art History of South Asia of the Free University in Berlin and a scholar from the International Centre for Study of Bengal Art (ICSBA) in Bangladesh. This book is not only a pleasing read for those who like sculptural art and artifacts, but also a great source of ideas, inspiration, and the provocation of thought for those who are engaged in making clay, ceramic and pottery art. The German scholars are Prof. Dr. Adalbert J. Gail, Dr. Gouriswar Bhattacharya, Dr. Falk Reitz, Gerd Mevissen and Isabell Johne, and Bangladeshi scholar as well as archeologist Dr. Enamul Haque. Enamul Haque and Adalbert J. Gail are editors of the book. The project was funded by a grant from the Foreign Office of the Federal Government of Germany through its embassy at Dhaka. The book is divided into three parts. Of these, part one has focused on identification, description, and the interpretation of the content of images like the Hindu images, syncretic images, Buddhist images, Jaina images and Yaksa images. Part two has highlighted the inventory of sculptures where readers will know about our invaluable processions. Bangladesh National Museum, Varendra Research Museum, Dinajpur Museum, Rangpur Museum, Paharpur Museum, Mahasthan Museum, Khulna Museum, Mainamati Museum, Chittagong University Museum and other museums' collections are included here. Part three has delved deep into many colours as well as black and white images of the artifacts, monuments and various other categories of sculptures. The pictures are bright and the captions help readers to know about the background to them. The participating scholars voluntarily divided among themselves the deities and topics each one of them would deal with. Most of the articles are research oriented and cerebrally enlightening, and gives us a view of their historical importance. Eminent archaeologist Enamul Haque's rich article has added a different aesthetic dimension to the book. He has tried to depict the significant chapters of pre-historic sculptures and their chronological aspects. The book has 574 selected Hindu, Buddhist and Jain stone and bronze images and it is a collector's delight. There is a lot of variety in the book. The photographic quality is remarkable and encompasses many perspectives. On reading the book, you can easily get a clear conception about our primitive culture and tradition. The editors have tried to bring all significant important works to light in the book. Professor Enamul Haque had his M.A. in History from Dhaka University in 1960, Diploma in Museology from London in 1964 and Doctorate in South Asian Art from Oxford in 1973. For three decades, beginning in 1962, he served the Dhaka Museum and rose to be the founder Director General of the Bangladesh National Museum, developing it to into the largest museum in the Third World. An organizer of exceptional ability, he is the founder chairman and Academic Director of the International Centre for Study of Bengal Art (ICSBA) at Dhaka, has convened nine International Congresses on Bengal Art and edits the journal of Bengal Art. Adalbert J. Gail was born in 1941 in Germany. He joined as associate professor at Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich in 1968. He served as curator of the Museum fur Indische Kunst, Berlin from 1972 to 1973; worked as professor for Indian Art History, Free University Berlin from 1974 to 2006. He was Dean of the Faculty of Ancient Studies FU Berlin from 1989 to 1991. Takir Hossain is with The Daily Star.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments