Makers gonna make: Creativity runs wild at Dhaka Makers 3

Having been to Dhaka Makers in the past couple of years, I found my experience at Aloki on Friday far more enjoyable. The events, workshops, makers market, craft market, art exhibition, and even the food stalls were well-organised and strategically placed. Despite the large crowd, the thoughtful layout ensured a smooth flow, allowing visitors to explore each section without constantly bumping into one another.

The workshops are always a highlight in Dhaka Makers with over 20 interactive sessions spread across the five days this time round. Lasting between 2-3 hours, the workshops are priced between Tk1,000 and Tk2,450, depending on the session.

On Day 2, we had the chance to attend a special session by the living legend Nikhil Chandra Das,  who conducted a workshop titled 'Rupkotha Pattachitra Karmoshala' (Bangladesh Folk Art).

Pattachitra is an ancient form of storytelling that uses hand-painted visuals on fabric or paper. The colours are bold, the strokes precise, and the stories deeply rooted in folklore and tradition. 

What makes Pattachitra particularly fascinating is that the colours used are entirely natural, meaning that they are extracted directly from nature without any added chemicals, such as plants and minerals like indigo, red lead,  charcoal, and so on. 

"Store-bought paints are expensive, especially for emerging artists. I want to teach them how to create their own colours, making art more accessible," said Nikhil Chandra Das. For him, Pattachitra is more than just an art form, it is a legacy.

Passed down from his grandfather to his father and now to his own grandchildren, his greatest concern is that younger generations are slowly forgetting this craft. 

His workshop covered the history of Pattachitra, how to make natural paints, how to make the paint turn permanent, various tips and tricks he learnt throughout these years, and the different techniques used to create these intricate paintings.

In another part of the venue, Mohammad Noman Khan, an artist who studied at Dhaka University's Charukola, was conducting a workshop on 'Abstract Tapestry Weaving'. He shares that tapestry was once a very popular art form in Bangladesh, pioneered by Shilpi Rashid Chowdhury. 

"Although Shilpi Rashid's work gained recognition locally and internationally, today, not many people practice it," Noman said. He has been experimenting with tapestry, moving away from the traditional 2D format and exploring 3D possibilities. 

"Tapestry is a time-consuming craft, so my goal in this short session is to introduce the basics through miniature pieces," he added. His students learned how to weave small, functional items like earrings and bracelets, making the complex art form feel more approachable.

And then, of course, there is the 'Makers Market,' the heart of Dhaka Makers. Local brands, indie businesses, and passionate creators have set up shop, each offering something unique. Handmade crafts, innovative designs, beautifully curated products, you name it. 

Visitors from all over Bangladesh and even beyond are browsing, discovering things they never knew they needed. Many brands have returned for the third time, encouraged by the overwhelming response from previous events. 

For first-time participants, however, the excitement is mixed with a bit of nervousness. "The first two days were a bit slow, but I'm optimistic," said Rafid, one of the many makers who are participating for the first time. 

The second floor of Dhaka Makers consists of the gallery exhibition curated by Raiyan Mahbub and Tuly, which offers a quieter escape from the crowd. It's a space for art lovers and introverts alike, where contemporary abstract paintings sit alongside digital art and intricate traditional works. 

"This isn't just a gallery. We wanted to create a space where art is accessible to everyone," said Ashit Roy Ameo, an artist who helped set up the exhibition. Unlike traditional galleries, this space allows visitors to not only admire a diverse range of artworks under one roof but also purchase them. With prices ranging from as low as Tk300 to over Tk4,00,000, there's something for every budget. 

Just before reaching the food stalls, there's a small corner occupied by Ogopogo Studios, which is quite easy to miss, making their return to Dhaka Makers. They specialise in handcrafted stop-motion animation and offer workshops for both kids and adults.

One of the volunteers explained, "Our goal is to make stop-motion accessible for beginners while encouraging kids to reconnect with their surroundings. That's why we created handcrafted toys for them to play with, giving them an alternative to spending all their time on screens."

And of course, after hours of roaming and exploring, there's always the food. The food courts offer everything from full-course meals to finger foods, artisanal coffee, and even desserts. It's the perfect way to refuel before heading to the final act of the night—the concerts. 

The second night wrapped up with a thrash metal performance from Powersurge,—a genre of music that I hadn't associated with the larger theme of Dhaka Makers and the crowd it generally attracts.

However, I was dumbfounded to see how in-tune all the headbangers were when Powersurge performed their signature 'Mitther Agrashon'— a powerful ending to the day, with cheers erupting from the fans, and even the guards and staff couldn't help but enjoy the moment as the band rocked the stage, wrapping up the event and the day perfectly.

With that being said, the real magic of Dhaka Makers isn't really in the workshops, stalls, or performances—it's in the people. The energy truly comes alive here as people gather around, clicking photos, catching up with old friends they haven't met in a while, some with shopping bags in hand, others just soaking in the music while they have their food. 

You can feel the energy in the air,  even with strangers quickly turning into friends over mutually shared interests in art and culture. You definitely don't want to miss out.

So if you haven't been to Dhaka Makers yet, maybe it's time to cancel a few plans and check it out?

Dhaka Makers 3 kicked off on 30 January and will continue till tomorrow. This year, ticket prices are slightly higher, with general entry set at Tk300, which also includes access to the concerts.