Veteran artist Shafiqul Ameen passes away
Veteran artist Shafiqul Ameen died at his residence in the city's Dhanmondi early yesterday. He had been suffering from old age related complications for a long. He was 99. He left behind his family, many students and well-wishers. His namaz-e-janaza was held at Dhaka University Mosque after Zohr prayers. His coffin was also kept on the premises of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Dhaka University, for students to pay their last respects. He was buried at Banani Graveyard in the city. Senior painters Samarjit Roy Chowdhury; Rafiqun Nabi; Hashem Khan; Monirul Islam; Matlub Ali, dean of the Fine Arts; Abul Barq Alvi, Professor of the department of Printmaking); Subir Chowdhury, director of Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts); Ranjit Das; Mohammad Eunus; Mohammad Iqbal; Anisuzzaman and cultural activists, among others, paid their last tributes to the artist. Samarjit Roy Chowdhury said, “Shafiqul Ameen didn't enjoy mass recognition, but he was an accomplished teacher.” Rafiqun Nabi said he was truly a liberal and secular person. Monirul Islam said, “We've lost a great artist." Ameen was born in Shillong, India in 1912. He studied at Calcutta Government Art College. He joined Faridpur Zilla School as an art teacher in 1938. He also worked at David Hare Training College as drawing teacher in 1945. He later joined the Calcutta Govt Art College as a designer in 1946. Ameen was an expert in drawing, caricature and watercolour. After Partition (1947), he came back to Dhaka and helped Zainul Abedin set up the Art College. Then he joined Mymensingh Teachers Training College as a lecturer. Amin attained higher education in Art Teaching in London. In 1961, he joined the Dhaka Art College and retired from the institute in 1968. He was the first director of the Bangladesh Folklore and Crafts Foundation in Sonargaon. He retired from the organisation in 1982. He won several prestigious awards during his illustrious career. Ameen did some paintings at the onset of his career. The paintings are symbolic narratives. His work addresses his multi-faceted sensitivities, urban and rural atmosphere and more. He was reserved and reflective by nature.
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