The Brahmaputra beckons Dulal Gain

The scenic beauty of Old Brahmaputra river has attracted many an artist. Great master Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin was one such painter. Then there is Dulal Gain, assistant keeper of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Sangrahashala in Mymensingh, who has to his credit the 'Brahmaputra Series.' So far the series comprises 40 paintings and more will are underway.

Gain, a meritorious student, was born on October 3, 1972 at village Boalia in Kolaroa Upazila, Satkhira district. A student of the Institute of Fine Arts, Dhaka University he obtained his Master's in Fine Arts with first class in the year 2000 from the Drawing and Painting Department.
Taking to this correspondent, Gain said, "I have been living in Mymensingh since 2000 and had the wonderful opportunity to be in close proximity to the Brahma-putra river. I can almost hear the footsteps of maestro Shilpacharya Zainul on the shoals of Brahmaputra. The paintings of this great artist continue to inspire me."
The Brahmaputra is not just a river; it is testimony to our rich historical heritage, he goes on to add. The river provided sustenance to thousands of people when human civilisation was in its early stages.
Gain adds that Mymensingh is the birthplace of great artists like Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, Monirul Islam and Hamiduz-zaman Khan. The art gallery named after Shilpacharya and Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Fine Arts Institute established here in 2003 are valuable assets for art lovers, he said.
History continues to inspire Gain. He has done critically acclaimed paintings such as Past Time, based on the theme of the Pre-historic Age and Ancient Civilisation. The other drawings in this series are- Winter Morning, The Musician, Art and Model, Charuchattar, Waiting, Courtyard, The Shoal of river, The Baul, Maghna Chaittanna, Unprotected Independence and Avilash.
Gain has participated in over 20 exhibitions held at national and international levels. The exhibitions include- The 8th and 9th Asian Art Biennial Bangladesh, 11th and 12th National Art Exhibition, 11th and 12th Young Art Exhibition, Berger Nabin Charukala Pradarshani in 1996, Tone National Miniature Exhibition in 1995, Water Colour Exhibition at Hotel Sheraton in 1993, Group Art Exhibition of 12 artistes in Dhaka and Chittagong in 1997, Art Exhibition organised by Greater Mymensingh Charushilpi Samannoy Parishad in Mymen-singh and a group exhibition titled 'Reflextion-7' this year.
Participating in several workshops has enriched the experience of Dulal Gain. He has taken part in workshops organised by Bengal Foundation on 'Chhabir Desher Chhabi,' Bangladesh National Museum and the Directorate of Archaeology on 'Bangladesh Heritage: Collection, Management Conservation and Display' in the year 2006. He has also participated two workshops conducted by artistes Mansur-ul-Karim and Mustafa Monwar.
Gain is a versatile artist, with sculptures and tile murals also to his credit. He designed the 34-feet Independence sculpture at Kolaroa in Satkhira. In addition, he has worked on the tile mural at the main gate of 45 Rifles Battalion in Mymensingh.
The artist lives with his wife Minati Gain and only son Sudipta Surya Gain.