A solo painting exhibition titled ‘Emotion of Sufi Music’ by artist AZ Shimul has begun on Friday in La Galerie of Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) in the capital’s Dhanmondi area.
The inauguration of the exhibition was attend by Sophie Aubert, Ambassador of France to Bangladesh as the chief guest. Ekushey Padak-winning singer Farida Parveen and Sufi music researcher and writer Dr Pierre-Alain Baud also attended the event as special guests.
Descending from a Sufi family, AZ Shimul has been driven by the thoughts and philosophies of Sufism since his early years. He was also inspired by mysticism that depicts the belief that union with the absolute, or the spiritual apprehension of knowledge inaccessible to the intellect, may be attained through contemplation and self-surrender.
As a result, his paintings embody mysticism that itself entails a different kind of humanistic feeling and mindful sensation where music plays a vital role. Shimul states, ‘The world beyond the general sense is the world of immortal love that provides meaning for so-called mystical and visionary experiences, and related experiences like trances. Mystic poets, bards and musicians like Rumi, Lalon and Alfu Dewan were the believers of this thought.’ His paintings take in his beliefs and understanding of the teachings by Rumi and Lalon, and exhibit a rare beauty of motion and emotion that is just mellifluous.
The exhibition is open to all till March 31 and can be visited according to the following schedule: Monday to Thursday from 3pm to 9pm, Friday and Saturday (9am to12pm and 5pm to 8pm).
Closed -Sunday.

AFD: 26, Mirpur Road