Matir Manush portrays life amid Covid outbreak

Artist Md Rasel Rana has portrayed the everyday life of people amid the ongoing Covid pandemic in a solo online exhibition hosted by EMK Center.

In all his works, which look like illustrations, human beings have been represented by tepa putul, which is a traditional form of clay dolls.

The exhibition has been organised by EMK Center marking the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence.

The exhibition began on September 20. Md Rasel Rana is displaying 41 artworks.

‘Matir Manus is a widely used phrase meaning simple-minded people. I started creating the artworks after Bangladesh detected its first Covid case in March 2020,’ said Md Rasel Rana.

His works titled Baishakh 1427 and Victory Day depicts how people celebrated Pahela Baishakh and Victory Day indoors amid the government-imposed lockdown.

A series titled Tradition shows traditional rickshaw art of Bangladesh, indigenous dance forms, nakshi kathas and others.

Rasel Rana said, ‘I have captured traditional Bangladeshi rural pastimes like stitching of nakshi kantha, making of baskets, pata painting and others.’

A work titled Poor People in Lockdown depicts the sufferings of the marginalised people amid the Covid situation. It shows a family sitting beside a wastebin and a dog is scavenging for food in rubbish beside them.

The work titled Eid Journey shows numerous tepa putuls boarding an overcrowded train. They are smiling because they are going home to celebrate Eid with their family. Some people are seen wearing masks.

Zainul Abedin in Imagination is a series that shows the master artist spending time at the fine arts faculty of Dhaka University.

Rasel said, ‘I have been greatly influenced by Zainul Abedin’s works. I paid tribute to him and his works portraying some imaginary moments in the life of the master painter.’

A series titled Flood consists of four small works showing the struggles of a rural family and how animals and people live side by side in flood-affected areas.

A work titled A Day shows a couple in love on a boat and the work titled Junket shows two happy kids waiting for a meal and their mother is cooking nearby.

The work titled Baishakh 1427 During Pandemic shows a portrait of a tepa putul wearing a large gas mask.

The exhibition, which can be viewed on the website of EMK Center, will continue till October 6.