Providing much-needed art education to children in the hill district :Rangamati Charukala Academy

With will, hard work, dedication and perseverance, each of us can make a contribution to society and the nation. This is exemplified by Rati Kanta Tangchangya, 66, of village Boradam under Bilaichhari upazila in Rangamati. What sets Tangchangya apart from others is his single-mindedness in working amidst the small children the last 28 years to create an enlightened new generation through his art school in Rangamati town. The reclusive Tangchangya is the principal of an art school called Rangamati Charukala Academy. Along the way he has weathered many a storm: His home and land went under the waters of the Kaptai lake during the damming of Kaptai Hydroelectric Power Plant in the 1960s. After that he settled at Balaghata in Bandarban where his wife died in 1968. Then he came to Rangamati and decided to engage himself in philanthropic work. On his return to Rangamati, Tangchangya founded the art school on a 10 decimal piece of land at Kathatali Moitre Bihar area in 1979. The then Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shafiqul Islam, leased him the land to construct a permanent institution. At first, he managed to attract only a few students. Gradually the number has swelled to 350 students. The Academy has great goodwill among the community. And with reason: students have so far bagged a total of 1,000 prizes, at divisional, national and international levels of exhibitions and competitions over the last 26 years. Many eminent artists and poets, including internationally acclaimed S.M. Sultan, Kanak Chanpa and Murtaza Bashir have visited the school and were impressed to see this crusading initiative and art works in a place so far from the hubbub of big cities like Dhaka and Chittagong. The Academy admits students mostly from the primary and secondary level schools. However, enthusiastic college students have also been admitted. To expand the institution and create more classrooms for the students, CHT Development Board constructed a three-storied building. The Academy imparts training in painting, songs and dances, while instrumental recitals are a common feature. On the personal front, Tangchangya has received several honours from various socio-cultural organisations and government departments for his contribution to the society. At first, he opened the doors of the Academy free of cost. Now he charges a meagre monthly fee of Taka 100 from each student to cope with management expenses. Some 13 teachers are teaching on the basis of a monthly honorarium of Taka 700 to 1500. The teachers at the Academy see their mission as a commitment rather than a job. "Our reward is to provide our services to a group of cheerful kids. Also it helps to know that through our work, these young ones would grow up in a creative and stimulating environment," said Rezaul Karim, a teacher. There has many an obstacle to surmount. As Tangchangya asserted to The Daily Star correspondent, "Many students used to go home frustrated as they could not get admission in the Academy due to lack of accommodation." He, however, said that huge government support was necessary to meet the growing demand of admission seekers. He also added that with advancing years it has become difficult to continue in his present capacity. "I have the plan to hand over charge of the Academy to an honest, dedicated and active person."
One of several CNG filling stations between Kanchpur Bridge and Jatrabari of the capital which BNP big shots built on the Kutubkhali canal, drastically reducing Dhaka's drainage capability.