Ferdousi Priyabhashini

Rhythm of an Artist

Perception is a tricky thing. It varies widely from person to person and not everyone can explain his or hers to the point. So, we interpret things our own way and try to express ourselves through writing, music, art, dance, and many other ways. Ferdousi Priyabhashini expresses her perspectives through her art in wood, and metal, and she is fabulous at it. Her take on life and philosophy are so simple, yet so meaningful that one would like to just sit and talk with her for hours on end, and still not get bored.

In an interview at her home ahead of her solo exhibition this Friday, Priyabhashini, 69, told this correspondent: “Finding joy in the smallest thing in life is what makes it worth your while. You do not have to go far to find peace or beauty. If you would like to see a waterfall, go to Sylhet, we have many beautiful ones there. You do not have to feel bad about not being able to go to Niagara Falls (Canada-USA). Finding joy is easy if you learn to keep yourself content. Learn to enjoy your own company, have your own universe, do not let others be the keeper of your happiness. These are the simple ways you can live a fulfilling and happy life. I find contentment in my art, and so I work every day. I have many artworks with me all the time, so having an exhibition is easy for me.”

Her story is so unique because she is self-taught. She did not get any academic training in sculpture, but started working on her own. As a child, Priyabhashini got her first art lesson from none other than legendary artist SM Sultan.

“My father was a teacher at Daulatpur College (in Kushtia). SM Sultan used to teach singing, dancing and drawing to the children of the teachers there. I was 10 years old when my father asked me to join the other children during their lessons with the maestro. Everyone used to give Tk5 (per month), so in total we all paid Tk30 to him. He used to tell us stories, I have fond memories of that time. I got reacquainted with him years later when I was the wife of a corporate official and a mother of six children,” she said.

“I was working on my pieces from home. Collecting wood from anywhere and everywhere and shaping them a little bit to give them the form of what I saw. When Sultan saw my work, he was very impressed and suggested that I should show my artwork to the world. When he first saw my pieces, he asked: ‘Do you sell these?’ I was taken aback and told him that I give them away when my husband is transferred and start working on new pieces. To that he replied: ‘Do you know that you are an artist? I think you are not aware of your own talent.’”

About her journey as an artist, Priyabhashini said: “I do not remember when I got so involved in my work. Whenever I see a piece of wood, I see a story. So, I work on it to tell the story. Initially, I started with small pieces and my tool was just an NT (paper) cutter. Later, I ventured into producing more intricate pieces and used other tools such as a hammer. I do not like altering the original piece of wood too much; I try to bring out what I see in a piece, with as little work done on it as possible. Getting materials for my work is not that hard, because you will always find people cutting trees. They give me the root if I ask for it. There is always plenty of wood to be had. I have people working with me as many of my pieces are quite large. I am always present, giving instructions when work is being done on the bigger pieces.”   

Talking about what inspires her, Priyabhashini said: “My daughter died some time ago and that was a tragedy that shook me to the core. My art has helped me cope with all my sorrow. I get inspiration from many things, one of them is our history. 1971 influences a lot of my work. My country means everything to me since our freedom came with many sacrifices, trauma and heartbreak. You will often see the reflection of the Liberation War in my works as I am greatly influenced by it.”

Priyobhashini’s journey in seeking spiritual solace has given her a positive outlook on life. So much so that the artist gauges criticism positively. “Whenever someone criticises my work, I try to understand their perspective. I never get defensive, if there is room for improvement, I should go for that instead of getting annoyed. Positive criticism is needed for self-exploration and growth,” said the artist.

About the intervals between her shows, she said: “I have to host exhibitions every two years or sooner because I work every day. It is my passion. If I do not, my home becomes too full. So every now and then, I showcase my work. Bengal Foundation has given me space many times and I am thankful for their appreciation of my work.”

Her latest show, named Rhythm of Clouds, will have many pieces on display. One singular piece on the Rana Plaza tragedy will surely be the most interesting one. Another one that caught the eye of this correspondent at is a single piece that has been hardly worked on. The sculpture depicts two soul mates, intertwined into a single entity. It is exceptional, like most of her art, and will surely capture the heart of any art connoisseur.     

The exhibition will be held at Shilpangan Art Gallery in Dhanmondi (Road 13) from August 4 to 18, and it will be open for all from 3pm-8pm daily.

Photos: Writer, Courtesy

Ferdousi Priyabhashini

Rhythm of an Artist

Perception is a tricky thing. It varies widely from person to person and not everyone can explain his or hers to the point. So, we interpret things our own way and try to express ourselves through writing, music, art, dance, and many other ways. Ferdousi Priyabhashini expresses her perspectives through her art in wood, and metal, and she is fabulous at it. Her take on life and philosophy are so simple, yet so meaningful that one would like to just sit and talk with her for hours on end, and still not get bored. In an interview at her home ahead of her solo exhibition this Friday, Priyabhashini, 69, told this correspondent: Finding joy in the smallest thing in life is what makes it worth your while. You do not have to go far to find peace or beauty. If you would like to see a waterfall, go to Sylhet, we have many beautiful ones there. You do not have to feel bad about not being able to go to Niagara Falls (Canada-USA). Finding joy is easy if you learn to keep yourself content. Learn to enjoy your own company, have your own universe, do not let others be the keeper of your happiness. These are the simple ways you can live a fulfilling and happy life. I find contentment in my art, and so I work every day. I have many artworks with me all the time, so having an exhibition is easy for me. Her story is so unique because she is self-taught. She did not get any academic training in sculpture, but started working on her own. As a child, Priyabhashini got her first art lesson from none other than legendary artist SM Sultan. My father was a teacher at Daulatpur College (in Kushtia). SM Sultan used to teach singing, dancing and drawing to the children of the teachers there. I was 10 years old when my father asked me to join the other children during their lessons with the maestro. Everyone used to give Tk5 (per month), so in total we all paid Tk30 to him. He used to tell us stories, I have fond memories of that time. I got reacquainted with him years later when I was the wife of a corporate official and a mother of six children, she said. I was working on my pieces from home. Collecting wood from anywhere and everywhere and shaping them a little bit to give them the form of what I saw. When Sultan saw my work, he was very impressed and suggested that I should show my artwork to the world. When he first saw my pieces, he asked: Do you sell these? I was taken aback and told him that I give them away when my husband is transferred and start working on new pieces. To that he replied: Do you know that you are an artist? I think you are not aware of your own talent. About her journey as an artist, Priyabhashini said: I do not remember when I got so involved in my work. Whenever I see a piece of wood, I see a story. So, I work on it to tell the story. Initially, I started with small pieces and my tool was just an NT (paper) cutter. Later, I ventured into producing more intricate pieces and used other tools such as a hammer. I do not like altering the original piece of wood too much; I try to bring out what I see in a piece, with as little work done on it as possible. Getting materials for my work is not that hard, because you will always find people cutting trees. They give me the root if I ask for it. There is always plenty of wood to be had. I have people working with me as many of my pieces are quite large. I am always present, giving instructions when work is being done on the bigger pieces. Talking about what inspires her, Priyabhashini said: My daughter died some time ago and that was a tragedy that shook me to the core. My art has helped me cope with all my sorrow. I get inspiration from many things, one of them is our history. 1971 influences a lot of my work. My country means everything to me since our freedom came with many sacrifices, trauma and heartbreak. You will often see the reflection of the Liberation War in my works as I am greatly influenced by it. Priyobhashinis journey in seeking spiritual solace has given her a positive outlook on life. So much so that the artist gauges criticism positively. Whenever someone criticises my work, I try to understand their perspective. I never get defensive, if there is room for improvement, I should go for that instead of getting annoyed. Positive criticism is needed for self-exploration and growth, said the artist. About the intervals between her shows, she said: I have to host exhibitions every two years or sooner because I work every day. It is my passion. If I do not, my home becomes too full. So every now and then, I showcase my work. Bengal Foundation has given me space many times and I am thankful for their appreciation of my work. Her latest show, named Rhythm of Clouds, will have many pieces on display. One singular piece on the Rana Plaza tragedy will surely be the most interesting one. Another one that caught the eye of this correspondent at is a single piece that has been hardly worked on. The sculpture depicts two soul mates, intertwined into a single entity. It is exceptional, like most of her art, and will surely capture the heart of any art connoisseur. The exhibition will be held at Shilpangan Art Gallery in Dhanmondi (Road 13) from August 4 to 18, and it will be open for all from 3pm-8pm daily. Photos: Writer, Courtesy