Baladev�s �Shishu Tirtha� teaches art for free

Our Correspondent, Narail
Boys and girls, aged about six to sixteen of mainly marginal farmers and working class people, come every Friday to learn drawing at Shishu Tirtha (a place of pilgrimage for children), a free school of fine arts run by Baladev Adhikary.
The school was established by Baladev in 1990 at Maijpara village, about 15 kilometres away from sadar upazila headquarters. He set up the school, a 1200sq feet tin shed structure, on his own land.
The students of the school come mainly from adjacent villages like Hosenpur, Boramara, Charikhada, Balarampur, Atoshpara, Urani, Daulatpur, Tarashi, Magura, Bamangachhi, Dariaghata and Maijpara. They have paid Tk 5 at the time of enrolment only.
Some former students of the school have established their career in fine arts. Among them Shushanta Adhikary and Kanti Dev are now teaching in Fine Arts department in Rajshahi University and Dhaka University respectively.
 While visiting Shishu Tirtha on one Friday this correspondent found a total of 52 students drawing pictures with full concentration.
 Baladev was giving them instructions. He was helping the students get more perfection. Two prefects -- Amar Biswas and Sandweep Roy -- are also guiding the junior students. Alam Biswas, 15, a student of Shishu Tirtha, said Baladev sir makes the drawing more interesting as he narrates the tales behind the theme. “I have stopped pursuing normal education, but cannot give up drawing. It’s my favourite pastime. I want to build up my career in this area. I have two dozens of good art works and I’ll make them public through a solo exhibition,” he said.
 District Cultural Officer Haidar Ali said Baladev Adhikary is a genius in the field of fine art. He has brought the essence of fine art to the remote village. His endevour for long 25 years should not go unrewarded, he hoped.
 Baladev Adhikary, a retired primary school teacher, had no formal education in fine art. He learned painting from SM Sultan, the internationally acclaimed painter.
He mostly uses water colour for painting. He also tells stories and sequences of the local legends like SM Sultan, Kobial Bijoy Sarkar, Jari Gaan singer Moslemuddin Boyati, peasant movement leader Amal Sen etc through his art works. He has organised a number of solo exhibitions throughout the district.   
 He said, “Spreading the education on fine art should be emphasised and institutionalised. The Education Board should affiliate my school so that the teaching of art might continue after my death.”

 

Baladev�s �Shishu Tirtha� teaches art for free

Our Correspondent, Narail Boys and girls, aged about six to sixteen of mainly marginal farmers and working class people, come every Friday to learn drawing at Shishu Tirtha (a place of pilgrimage for children), a free school of fine arts run by Baladev Adhikary. The school was established by Baladev in 1990 at Maijpara village, about 15 kilometres away from sadar upazila headquarters. He set up the school, a 1200sq feet tin shed structure, on his own land. The students of the school come mainly from adjacent villages like Hosenpur, Boramara, Charikhada, Balarampur, Atoshpara, Urani, Daulatpur, Tarashi, Magura, Bamangachhi, Dariaghata and Maijpara. They have paid Tk 5 at the time of enrolment only. Some former students of the school have established their career in fine arts. Among them Shushanta Adhikary and Kanti Dev are now teaching in Fine Arts department in Rajshahi University and Dhaka University respectively. While visiting Shishu Tirtha on one Friday this correspondent found a total of 52 students drawing pictures with full concentration. Baladev was giving them instructions. He was helping the students get more perfection. Two prefects -- Amar Biswas and Sandweep Roy -- are also guiding the junior students. Alam Biswas, 15, a student of Shishu Tirtha, said Baladev sir makes the drawing more interesting as he narrates the tales behind the theme. I have stopped pursuing normal education, but cannot give up drawing. Its my favourite pastime. I want to build up my career in this area. I have two dozens of good art works and Ill make them public through a solo exhibition, he said. District Cultural Officer Haidar Ali said Baladev Adhikary is a genius in the field of fine art. He has brought the essence of fine art to the remote village. His endevour for long 25 years should not go unrewarded, he hoped. Baladev Adhikary, a retired primary school teacher, had no formal education in fine art. He learned painting from SM Sultan, the internationally acclaimed painter. He mostly uses water colour for painting. He also tells stories and sequences of the local legends like SM Sultan, Kobial Bijoy Sarkar, Jari Gaan singer Moslemuddin Boyati, peasant movement leader Amal Sen etc through his art works. He has organised a number of solo exhibitions throughout the district. He said, Spreading the education on fine art should be emphasised and institutionalised. The Education Board should affiliate my school so that the teaching of art might continue after my death.