The Prince of Prints takes his leave RIP Safiuddin Ahmed

BANGLADESH NEWS

A year back, all artists of importance, and art enthusiasts, had gathered at Safiuddin Ahmed' residence, they spoke with him formally for last time. The grand children -- Fultushi and Nushi -- had been sent away. His wife, Sharmeen, and his daughter-in-law, had gathered at his bedside. Ahmed Nazir, his son, had appeared distraught and restless. For two years together, Safiduddin had broken his knees and three days back, he was taken off the life-saving devices of the hospital.

“He is in God's arms,” said those who loved him and admired him. The oldest living legend in visual art had walked the earth, with his passion and care for Bangladesh. Bengal Foundation held two massive exhibitions featuring his works.

The great painters and cultural personalities had left almost hand in hand. There was Emdad bhai, Nisar Hossain's (the bearded firebrand art teacher) father and Mohammed Kibria, who was the apple of the eye for 

all Bangladeshi artists. At the loved and reputed Dhaka Art College (now Faculty of Fine Arts, Dhaka University), the three maestros, or the triumvirate, had gathered, with their hopes, ideas and dreams. Whatever they had gleaned from Europe, India and the rest of the Subcontinent, had been poured together, for the benefit of the people.

None will forget the prints of Safiuddin, mostly been in black and white, with touches of muted earthy colours, here and there. Farmers; umbrellas; accompanying dogs; trees in the distance, and much more were captured with imagination and skill. Everything was neat, with geometric precision -- the circles; the oblong shapes along with other circular and U-shaped lines that formed patters on paper.

There was nothing to surpass the master print-maker. He was a prince among princes, in painting and print-making. Those, like Monirul Islam, found him an inspiration, even till his sick bed. Qayyum Chowdhury -- another great man of colours -- and his wife often parleyed with him, at his bedside. Intellectuals and 

aesthetes, like Professor Anisuzzaman, would be at his bedside -- just to enjoy his company and confer with, even about the daily weather. Even curly-topped Rafi Haque, a friend of Juneer, Mohammed Kibria's son, would be found hanging around the joint, at least, at the “Last Supper” -- the last night, last year, during Safiuddin Ahmed's birthday, which included singing and merrymaking.

Safiuddin Ahmed was best known for his depiction of farmers, and other toiling labourers who were bareback, toiling, under the burning skies or the pouring rain. He glorified the common man, as all the great 

contemporaries of his did in the 1940s, after the Partition of 1947. He understood the evil eye of the marauding Pakistan army. He was always patient and gentle with his students. He was not out to excel; he just did, like his contemporaries. The common man was his hero, like Wordsworth and Frost. He sang of the simple fishing and farming, taking enormous pride in their labour.

Safiuddin Ahmed passed away at Square Hospital in Dhaka early Sunday (12:30 am). He was 90. He had been ailing from old-age complications. He was admitted to Square Hospital as suddenly he felt sick on Tuesday (May 17) evening. Later, he was put on life support as his condition deteriorated.

He left behind his wife, two sons, one daughter and a host of relatives and admirers to mourn his death.

His mortal remains will be kept at his Dhanmondi residence (Road-4, House-21) from 8 am to 10 am . Then the body will be kept at Central Shaheed Minar, from 10 am to 12 pm. It will be taken to Charukala (Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka) at 1 pm.

He will be buried at the Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals Graveyard.