1. Read the passage and answer the questions A and B:
Art is generally understood as an expression of human imagination and creative skills in a range of activities including painting, drawing, sculpture and architecture. The aim of art is to evoke feelings and emotions that are considered aesthetic – that is, concerned with beauty but art also can be a form of social commentary. A painting of sunset over the sea glorifies nature, but one that shows a war ravaged town can convey a sense of anguish. Throughout the world people appreciate art for its power to affect them in creative ways. As the famous painter Pablo Picasso said, “the purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.”
Art in our country has a long history. It has been practiced in households in the form of pottery, nakshikantha or embroidered quilt, alpana or intricate, mostly floral designs in rice paste done on clay yards and shokher harhi or painted earthen pots (and their lids). These are examples of folk art. But there is another form of art which is called modern art, which owes its origin to the industrial revolution in Western Europe in the middle of-19th century and the changes it brought in technology, education, manufacturing and communication. Modern art rejected traditional art forms and began to create new types of artistic expression using styles, techniques, colours and materials that could adequately reflect the spirit of the time and the profound changes in human thought.
The beginning of modern art practices in our country date from 1948, when the great artist Zainul Abedin (1914-1976), with the help of some colleagues set up an institute of art in Dhaka (now the Faculty of Fine Art, University of Dhaka). As it began to offer art education, the institute drew together a number of talented teachers and students who contributed to the development of modern art almost from scratch. But within a decade, artists were reflecting most recent trends and styles in their work such as expressionism and abstract expressionism- while maintaining a close contact with the traditions of folk art.
Zainul had earned all-India fame for his Famine Sketches, a series of haunting sketches based on the Bengal famine of 1943 which took hundreds of thousands of lives. His watercolors, scroll paintings and drawings inspire our artists even today. The other prominent artists who had major contributions to the spectacular rise of our contemporary art include Qamrul Hassan, SM Sultan, Safiuddin Ahmed, Abdur Razzak, Qayyum Chowdhury, Murtaza Baseer, Aminul Islam, Syed Jahangir, Debdas Chakravarty, Novera Ahmed and Muhammad Kibria.
The war of liberation and the independence of the country in 1971 inspired our artists to continue the efforts of the earlier artists to explore the limits of art and create new expressive modes. For the next four decades, art in our country saw many experimentations. Artists dealt with new ideas such as installation art and graphic art; and reshaped older, traditional art forms. If you visit any art gallery or art exhibition, you will find how our art reflects our changing realities in fascinating and insightful ways.
Bangla Translation: শিল্প সাধারণত মানুষের কল্পনা ও সৃজনশীল দক্ষতার প্রকাশ হিসেবে বোঝানো হয়। এটি চিত্রকলা, অঙ্কন, ভাস্কর্য এবং স্থাপত্যসহ বিভিন্ন কার্যক্রমে অন্তর্ভুক্ত। শিল্পের লক্ষ্য হলো অনুভূতি এবং আবেগকে উদ্দীপিত করা, যা নান্দনিক বা সৌন্দর্যের সঙ্গে সম্পর্কিত। তবে শিল্প সামাজিক মন্তব্যের একটি মাধ্যমও হতে পারে। সমুদ্রের উপর সূর্যাস্তের একটি চিত্র প্রকৃতির মহিমা প্রকাশ করে, কিন্তু যুদ্ধবিধ্বস্ত একটি শহরের চিত্র বেদনার অনুভূতি প্রকাশ করতে পারে। সারা পৃথিবী জুড়ে মানুষ শিল্পকে তার সৃজনশীল উপায়ে তাদের উপর প্রভাব ফেলার ক্ষমতার জন্য প্রশংসা করে। বিখ্যাত চিত্রশিল্পী পাবলো পিকাসো বলেছেন, “শিল্পের উদ্দেশ্য হলো আমাদের আত্মা থেকে দৈনন্দিন জীবনের ধুলো ধুয়ে ফেলা।“
আমাদের দেশে শিল্পের একটি দীর্ঘ ইতিহাস রয়েছে। এটি পাত্র নির্মাণ, নকশীকাঁথা বা সূচিশিল্পে কাঁথা তৈরি, আলপনা বা মাটির উঠানে চালের গুঁড়োর পেস্ট দিয়ে তৈরি জটিল, প্রধানত ফুলেল নকশা এবং শখের হাঁড়ি বা আঁকা মাটির হাঁড়ি (এবং তাদের ঢাকনা) – এসব গৃহস্থালী শিল্পের মাধ্যমে চর্চা হয়ে আসছে। এগুলো লোকশিল্পের উদাহরণ। তবে শিল্পের আরেকটি রূপ রয়েছে, যা আধুনিক শিল্প নামে পরিচিত। এটি ১৯শ শতাব্দীর মাঝামাঝি পশ্চিম ইউরোপে শিল্প বিপ্লব এবং এর ফলে প্রযুক্তি, শিক্ষা, উৎপাদন এবং যোগাযোগে ঘটে যাওয়া পরিবর্তনের কারণে উদ্ভূত। আধুনিক শিল্প ঐতিহ্যগত শিল্প রূপগুলোকে প্রত্যাখ্যান করে এবং সময়ের চেতনা এবং মানুষের চিন্তাধারার গভীর পরিবর্তনগুলোর যথাযথ প্রতিফলন ঘটানোর জন্য নতুন ধরণের শিল্প অভিব্যক্তি তৈরি করতে শুরু করে।
আমাদের দেশে আধুনিক শিল্পের চর্চা শুরু হয় ১৯৪৮ সালে, যখন মহান শিল্পী জয়নুল আবেদিন (১৯১৪–১৯৭৬) কিছু সহকর্মীর সহায়তায় ঢাকায় একটি শিল্প প্রতিষ্ঠান স্থাপন করেন (বর্তমানে ঢাকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের চারুকলা অনুষদ)। এটি শিল্প শিক্ষা প্রদান শুরু করলে, প্রতিষ্ঠানটি একদল মেধাবী শিক্ষক এবং শিক্ষার্থীকে একত্রিত করে, যারা প্রায় শূন্য থেকে আধুনিক শিল্পের বিকাশে অবদান রাখে। কিন্তু এক দশকের মধ্যেই, শিল্পীরা তাদের কাজে সাম্প্রতিক প্রবণতা এবং শৈলী যেমন অভিব্যক্তিবাদ এবং বিমূর্ত অভিব্যক্তিবাদ প্রতিফলিত করতে থাকেন – একই সঙ্গে লোকশিল্পের ঐতিহ্যের সঙ্গে ঘনিষ্ঠ সম্পর্ক বজায় রেখে।
জয়নুল তার “দুর্ভিক্ষ চিত্রমালা” (Famine Sketches)-এর জন্য সর্বভারতীয় খ্যাতি অর্জন করেছিলেন, যা ১৯৪৩ সালের বাংলা দুর্ভিক্ষের উপর ভিত্তি করে নির্মিত একটি ভয়াবহ স্কেচ সিরিজ। তার জলরঙ, স্ক্রোল পেইন্টিং এবং অঙ্কন আজও আমাদের শিল্পীদের অনুপ্রাণিত করে। সমসাময়িক শিল্পের অসাধারণ উত্থানে গুরুত্বপূর্ণ অবদান রাখা অন্য বিশিষ্ট শিল্পীদের মধ্যে রয়েছেন কামরুল হাসান, এস এম সুলতান, সফিউদ্দিন আহমেদ, আবদুর রজ্জাক, কাইয়ুম চৌধুরী, মুর্তজা বশীর, আমিনুল ইসলাম, সৈয়দ জাহাঙ্গীর, দেবদাস চক্রবর্তী, নোভেরা আহমেদ এবং মোহাম্মদ কিবরিয়া।
১৯৭১ সালে মুক্তিযুদ্ধ এবং দেশের স্বাধীনতা আমাদের শিল্পীদের শিল্পের সীমানা অনুসন্ধান এবং নতুন অভিব্যক্তিমূলক ধরন তৈরির জন্য আগের শিল্পীদের প্রচেষ্টাকে চালিয়ে যেতে অনুপ্রাণিত করেছিল। পরবর্তী চার দশকে আমাদের দেশের শিল্পে অনেক পরীক্ষা–নিরীক্ষা দেখা যায়। শিল্পীরা ইনস্টলেশন আর্ট এবং গ্রাফিক আর্টের মতো নতুন ধারণাগুলি নিয়ে কাজ করেছেন এবং পুরোনো, ঐতিহ্যবাহী শিল্প রূপগুলোকে নতুনভাবে রূপ দিয়েছেন। আপনি যদি কোনো শিল্প গ্যালারি বা প্রদর্শনী পরিদর্শন করেন, তাহলে দেখতে পাবেন কীভাবে আমাদের শিল্প আমাদের পরিবর্তনশীল বাস্তবতাকে চমৎকার এবং অন্তর্দৃষ্টিপূর্ণ উপায়ে প্রতিফলিত করে।
A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives.
- What is the primary focus of the text?
(i) The scientific study of dreams (ii) The interpretation of dreams in culture
(iii) The historical fascination with dreams (iv) The philosophical debates about dreams - What is art generally understood as?
(i) A means of industrialization (ii) An expression of human imagination
(iii) A form of literature (iv) A scientific endeavor - According to the text, what is the primary goal of art?
(i) To depict historical events (ii) To evoke feelings and emotions
(iii) To create financial value (iv) To serve religious purposes - What type of emotions can art evoke?
(i) Only joy (ii) Joy and anger
(iii) Aesthetic and creative emotions (iv) Both aesthetic and social emotions - What is an example of art being a form of social commentary?
(i) A painting of a sunset over the sea (ii) A sculpture of an animal
(iii) A war-ravaged town’s painting (iv) Architectural blueprints - What does Picasso suggest is the purpose of art?
(i) To reflect society’s evolution (ii) To inspire daily routines
(iii) To cleanse the soul of daily life’s burdens (iv) To glorify nature - Which of the following is an example of folk art mentioned in the text?
(i) Abstract painting (ii) Nakshikantha
(iii) Installation art (iv) Expressionism - Where did modern art originate?
(i) South Asia (ii) Western Europe
(iii) The United States (iv) Ancient Greece - What historical event led to the rise of modern art?
(i) The Industrial Revolution (ii) World War II
(iii) The Renaissance (iv) The French Revolution - How does modern art differ from traditional art?
(i) It uses digital techniques exclusively (ii) It rejects traditional forms and explores new styles
(iii) It glorifies only natural beauty (iv) It focuses solely on industrial themes - When did modern art practices begin in Bangladesh?
(i) 1971 (ii) 1948 (iii) 1914 (iv) 1965 - Who was instrumental in founding the Institute of Art in Dhaka?
(i) Pablo Picasso (ii) Zainul Abedin
(iii) SM Sultan (iv) Abdur Razzak - What inspired Zainul Abedin’s Famine Sketches?
(i) The Bengal famine of 1943 (ii) The War of Liberation in 1971
(iii) The Industrial Revolution (iv) The French Revolution - Which of the following art forms did Zainul Abedin master?
(i) Abstract expressionism (ii) Scroll paintings and watercolors
(iii) Graphic design (iv) Digital art - What is significant about Zainul Abedin’s contribution to art?
(i) He introduced installation art (ii) He blended folk art with modern styles
(iii) He focused only on sculpture (iv) He established art museums internationally - How did modern art in Bangladesh evolve in the decade following 1948?
(i) Artists ignored folk traditions (ii) Artists adopted Western styles exclusively
(iii) Artists explored modern trends while maintaining folk traditions (iv) Artists focused only on abstract expressionism - Who among the following is not mentioned as a significant contributor to contemporary Bangladeshi art?
(i) Syed Jahangir (ii) Aminul Islam
(iii) Novera Ahmed (iv) Pablo Picasso - How did the War of Liberation in 1971 impact Bangladeshi art?
(i) It caused artists to focus only on traditional styles
(ii) It discouraged experimentation in art
(iii) It inspired artists to explore new modes of expression
(iv) It led to a decline in art education - Which art form emerged in Bangladesh in the decades following independence?
(i) Digital art (ii) Graphic art and installation art
(iii) Folk art revival (iv) Minimalist sculpture - What is a primary characteristic of folk art in Bangladesh?
(i) It incorporates modern industrial techniques
(ii) It emphasizes floral designs and daily life themes
(iii) It is exclusively practiced by professional artists
(iv) It uses abstract and surreal themes - What did modern art in Bangladesh incorporate into its practice?
(i) Purely Western techniques (ii) A blend of folk traditions and modern trends
(iii) A rejection of all traditional values (iv) Exclusively experimental forms - What role does art play in reflecting societal changes?
(i) It resists evolving trends (ii) It mirrors cultural and historical shifts
(iii) It prioritizes industrial growth (iv) It ignores public concerns - What was a key focus of artists in the four decades after 1971?
(i) Returning to traditional folk art forms
(ii) Experimenting with new ideas and reshaping older ones
(iii) Preserving the classical art of Europe
(iv) Focusing solely on commercial art - What is a notable feature of modern Bangladeshi art in exhibitions?
(i) Only historical themes are displayed
(ii) It reflects changing realities in insightful ways
(iii) It avoids social or cultural issues
(iv) It focuses exclusively on rural life - What did installation art in Bangladesh signify?
(i) A return to traditional pottery
(ii) A form of expressing modern ideas and societal changes
(iii) A rejection of modern trends
(iv) A focus on abstract Western art forms - How does the text define the broader purpose of art?
(i) To serve industrial needs
(ii) To create meaningful social and emotional impacts
(iii) To exclusively depict historical events
(iv) To conform to traditional aesthetics - What influenced the artistic style of early Bangladeshi modern artists?
(i) Folk traditions and international trends
(ii) Traditional Persian art forms
(iii) Purely Western industrial themes
(iv) Minimalist designs - Why is Zainul Abedin considered a pioneer of Bangladeshi art?
(i) He rejected folk traditions
(ii) He introduced new teaching methods
(iii) He established the foundation of modern art in the country
(iv) He exclusively focused on graphic design - What is a unique feature of Bangladeshi folk art?
(i) It originated during the Industrial Revolution
(ii) It is primarily practiced by urban professionals
(iii) It uses local materials and traditional designs
(iv) It avoids any connection with modern techniques - What is the significance of Bangladesh’s art galleries today?
(i) They focus solely on global artists
(ii) They showcase the impact of technology on art
(iii) They highlight how art reflects evolving social realities
(iv) They emphasize only rural and folk art forms
B. Answer the following questions: 3×5=15
a. What is art generally understood as
b. Why is art considered an expression of human imagination?
c. What is the primary aim of art according to the text?
d. How can art evoke emotions?
e. What is an example of art as a form of social commentary?
f. What does a painting of a war-ravaged town convey?
g. Why do people appreciate art around the world?
h. What did Pablo Picasso say about the purpose of art?
i. What are some examples of folk art mentioned in the text?
j. How has art been practiced traditionally in Bangladesh?
k. Why is nakshikantha considered a form of folk art?
l. Where did modern art originate?
m. What historical event led to the emergence of modern art?
n. How did the Industrial Revolution influence art?
o. Why did modern art reject traditional forms?
p. When did modern art practices begin in Bangladesh?
q. Who was instrumental in establishing the Institute of Art in Dhaka?
r. What inspired Zainul Abedin’s Famine Sketches?
s. How did Zainul Abedin contribute to the development of modern art in Bangladesh?
t. What types of art forms did Zainul Abedin master?
u. Why are Zainul Abedin’s works still relevant to Bangladeshi artists?
v. Which prominent artists contributed to contemporary Bangladeshi art?
w. How did the War of Liberation in 1971 influence art in Bangladesh?
x. What are some new art forms explored after Bangladesh’s independence?
y. Why is installation art significant in Bangladeshi contemporary art?
z. What role does art play in reflecting societal changes?
z1. How do art galleries showcase the evolving realities of Bangladesh?
z2. What does modern art in Bangladesh incorporate from folk traditions?
z3. Why is it important for artists to maintain a link with traditional art?
z4. How has Bangladeshi art developed over the last four decades?
2. Read the following text and complete the flow-chart showing the importance of education. (No. 1 is done for you):
Characteristics of Folk Art
i. Practiced in households
ii. Includes pottery and nakshikantha
iii. Features alpana with intricate floral designs
iv. Uses rice paste for creating patterns
v. Incorporates painted earthen pots
vi. Represents traditional craftsmanship
Features of Modern Art
i. Originated in Western Europe during the Industrial Revolution
ii. Reflects changes in technology and human thought
iii. Rejects traditional art forms
iv. Focuses on new artistic expressions
v. Uses unique styles, techniques, and colors
vi. Mirrors the spirit of its time
Contributions of Zainul Abedin
i. Set up an institute of art in Dhaka in 1948
ii. Introduced art education in Bangladesh
iii. Created haunting famine sketches in 1943
iv. Inspired future artists with watercolors and scroll paintings
v. Integrated folk art traditions into modern art
vi. Contributed to the global recognition of Bangladeshi art
Influence of the Liberation War on Bangladeshi Art
i. Inspired by the struggle for independence in 1971
ii. Encouraged exploring artistic limits
iii. Led to experimentation in installation art
iv. Revived and reshaped traditional art forms
v. Brought new expressive modes to contemporary art
vi. Reflects societal changes in insightful ways