Galleri Kaya at 21: Celebrating a walk through history in paint

Being a regular visitor to Galleri Kaya's exhibitions, I could not help but feel a little nostalgic while browsing Galleri Kaya's 21st Anniversary Exhibition.

It was on these walls where I first saw Quamrul Hassan's works in person, learned about Murtaja Baseer's 'Bloody 21st', and where my love for Kamruzzaman Sagor's works began.

It feels like a full-circle moment seeing the gallery celebrate 21 years of connecting people with art from across the nation and throughout history. 

To commemorate the event, the gallery has displayed a collection of works by 35 veteran and contemporary artists, reflecting the works Galleri Kaya has brought to the public throughout the year. 

The gallery opened its doors for all from 27 June and will remain open every day till 12 July, 2025. 

A little nostalgic, Goutam Chakraborty, the founder of Galleri Kaya, reminisced about the gallery's humble beginnings. 

"When I first started this journey 21 years ago, there weren't any galleries here [in Uttara], and there still aren't," shared Goutam. "Pushing through all the obstacles that had arisen throughout time and being able to stand here today—it truly was a journey."

When he started the journey, he only knew that he wanted to do something different, and he wanted to do it well. So, he took a risk and started cultivating a hotspot for art in Uttara, away from the cultural hub of Dhaka in Dhanmondi, to make art more accessible. 

"As our gallery is situated so far away from the cultural hub, we always make sure to offer something new and exciting to visitors. We make sure that people don't feel like they have seen our exhibitions before, so that they feel excited," shared Goutam. 

However, this did not come without its challenges. 

Perhaps the biggest challenge was not about the gallery's location, but rather it stemmed from the lack of a proper art market in Bangladesh itself. For a little more context, Goutam shares how when an art piece is made with the same materials and skill level, it is sold for millions of dollars abroad, and only a fraction of the price in Bangladesh.

"Not many artists can survive solely by selling their art in Bangladesh. Art is more valuable than we think; it inspires people to learn more about different cultures, and we need to value it," commented Goutam.

The walls of galleries tell the very stories that inspire us to ask more questions, and Galleri Kaya's anniversary exhibition was no different. 

Goutam Chakraborty had first introduced me to Murtaja Baseer's 'Bloody 21st' while we had a conversation about how history is reflected in art. That very piece had been displayed in the exhibition, telling the heart-wrenching story of how Bangladesh fought for its language and identity.

In another corner of the gallery, two paintings were displayed that look vastly different from afar, but their similarities become more prevalent as you move closer. 

Mustafizul Haque's 'Rooster' depicts an abstract image with bold strokes, while his brother, Mahmudul Haque's 'Composition', evokes a sense of serenity with its calm colour palette and textures. 

Their styles are entirely unique from each other. Yet, both artists have such a strong command over their brush that they can bring out different emotions through their brush strokes through their abstract style. You could not help but feel the connection between them. 

Goutam Chakraborty's piece, 'Elephant - 157', also hangs on the same wall as his father's piece, 'Lovers'. Seeing these ties between the different canvases makes you feel like you are not just looking at art, you are taking a walk through history. 

The exhibition also featured renowned names such as Quayyum Chowdhury, Quamrul Hassan, as well as Chandra Shekhar Roy, Rafiqun Nabi, and Hashem Khan. 

Though there were multiple pieces from Chandra Shekhar Roy, 'The Ancient Grace' is perhaps one of my favourites among his works. The artist uses only pen and ink, yet the piece is impressively detailed. 

TBS Picks

Freedom Fighter by Quayyum Chowdhury 

Medium: Pen and ink on paper

The piece depicts the faces of five figures, glaring straight back at the viewer. Mouths open, with determined expressions, it is clear that these people not only want freedom, but they are willing to fight for it. While the green and red represent freedom, the shadows of blue perhaps reflect the tinge of loss and sacrifice that every revolution comes with.

Old Dhaka by Shahnoor Mamun

Medium: Watercolour on paper

Viewers will perhaps be able to feel the history and sense of nostalgia that is ingrained in this canvas. The painting depicts a vivid street in Puran Dhaka. While the details of the street transport you there, the brown hues give the painting soul, and it feels like it is inherently taking us to our roots. The contrast of the open blue sky ties in the nostalgia with nature.

Rooster by Mustafizul Haque

Medium: Acrylic on canvas

The abstract painting makes up the image of a rooster in all its glory. The bold and free-flowing strokes alongside the bold colours convey only one thing—energy. It is an ode to this animal that is full of energy and life, as well as the relationship humans have with roosters. The warm browns in the backdrop pull the viewers closer to nature, making them feel united with the earth.