A three-day long ‘Zainul Festival and Annual Folk Fair’ that began on the premises of Fine Arts Faculty of Dhaka University (DU) on Sunday, marking the 105th birth anniversary of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin ends today.
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni inaugurated the festival as the chief guest while DU Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor Md Dr Akhtaruzzaman in the chair.
Paying deep tribute to the memory of Zainul Abedin, Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni said, “Due to his unique contribution, the art of Bangladesh has reached today’s position. Through extraordinary artistic works, he inspired the nation in the language movement and in the struggle for independence.”
DU VC Professor Akhtaruzzaman said, “Zainul Abedin attracted the world by drawing a touching image of the 1943 famine.” The young generation to move forward with learning from his (Zainul) life and work”, Akhtaruzzaman added.
DU Pro-VC Professor Muhammad Samad, Barger Paints Bangladesh’s General Manager AKM Sadeque Nawaj and Zainul’s son Engineer Mainul Abedin, among others, were present as the special guests.
At the inaugural ceremony, Indian Artist Professor Dr Janak Jhankar Narjari and Bangladeshi Artist Prof Mahmudul Haque and Professor Hamiduzzaman Khan were awarded for their special contribution to fine arts. Besides, various seminars, cultural programmes and exhibitions were held marking the festival.
