The advent of television in the sixties opened up a new world for viewers in Bangladesh. The first transmission of Bangladesh Television (then Pakistan TV) took place on December 5, 1964. What was previously the exclusive domain of stage dramas, printed books and periodicals, large screen films, radio talks and live shows, was now recast in a completely new medium –the small screen. The transformation not only exposed people to the novelty of packaged culture but it also opened up the frontiers of an exciting realm, full of new artistic possibilities and opportunity. It was daunting for those who first faced the task of mediating between the seen and felt cultural experience, to the viewed and heard only. The challenge was to arrive at a new aesthetic for a visually dominated culture that would be satisfyingly modern, representational, and would respond to rising concerns about national identity.
Given the country’s rich heritage of painting, illustration and crafts, it was not unsurprising that the grave responsibility of creating such an aesthetic would befall a group of artists, designers and illustrators who were initially inducted into BTV. Pioneers Emdad Hossain, Mustafa Monwar and Keramat Mowla were fully aware that television was a powerful tool that could shape popular taste and therefore, a lot of thought had to be given to the kind of motifs, signs and symbols, which would be used to construct this artistic language. Considering the unrest of the sixties, it also had to be political in nature. The result was a carefully thought-out design and art strategy that successfully charted the course of the next fifty years.
The exhibition Saga of Creativity shows works by artists engaged in the Design Department of Bangladesh Television, including their alumni. The works range from watercolours to abstract expressionist pieces some worked in the romantic vein, others in the folk idiom, some deconstructed, yet others linear and minimal. But in all of these there is a common thread there is an endearment for the six seasons, and an underlying yearning for freedom. Although not many of the participants are full-time painters any longer, their sensibility continues to remain rooted in the call for a unique vision that will be responsive to the sentiments of the larger public.
Theparticipants of this exhibition are Mustafa Monwar, Anwar Hossain, Hosain Jamal Lucky, Mahiuddin Faruque, Rajaul Karim, Abdul Mannan, Ferdousi Pinu, Mamunul Haque Tutu, Mohammad Eunus, Bijoy Sen, Rofique Ahmed, Harun Al Rashid, Shireen Mahal Bandana, Manik Dey, Swapan Acharjee, Mohammed Alamgir, Golam Kibria Chowdhury, G M Khalilur Rahman, Md. Jalal Uddin, Zahid Mustafa, Mir Ahsanul Alam, AAM. Kaoser Hassan, Dilruba Latif, Mohammad Salim, Runa Layla, Md. Masudur Rahman, Md. Anwar Shadat, Jhunu Akter, Hemayet Hossain Jewel, Sharmin Nigar, Swapan Saha, Sanjib Saha, Bibekananda Roy and Md. Safiqul Islam.

Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts, in collaboration with Bangladesh Television (BTV), presented the ten-day exhibition ‘Saga of Creativity’, comprising of works by current designers and alumni of the BTV Design department. Mr. Hasanul Haq Inu, Honourable Minister of Information, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, was present as the Chief Guest and inaugurated the exhibition at 18:00 on Sunday 23 June 2013. Artist Mustafa Monwar, former Director General of BTV, artist Rafiqun Nabi and M. Hamid, Director General of BTV, were present as special guests.

Date: 23.06.2013 – 03.07.2013
Venue: Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts
Entry condition: Open to public.