Group Art Exhibition, Awakening to Sacred Peace: Buddha of Bengal opens at AFD

An exhibit of the group art exhibition, Awakening to Sacred Peace-The Buddha of Bengal opened at AFD on Friday

An exhibition titled 'Awakening to Sacred Peace: The Buddha of Bengal' by the Oriental Art Practice Association and Learning Design Studio has begun at Alliance Française de Dhaka on the occasion of Buddha Purnima. The inaugural ceremony took place on Friday, 9 May 2025 at its La Galerie. 

Curated by Mikhail Idris, the exhibition showcases over a hundred artworks by 73 artists from across Bangladesh. These works explore eternal contemplations of the Buddha’s life, philosophy, and spiritual legacy, expressed through the aesthetics of Oriental art traditions.

The exhibition features paintings, sculptures, and ceramics, blending traditional techniques with contemporary visual language. Artists have used a wide variety of mediums including oil, watercolour, gouache, wash, egg tempera, reverse painting, batik, charcoal, pen and ink, alcohol-based ink—and even ashes from the fire-damaged Bangabazar, symbolizing transformation and rebirth. Visitors will also see rickshaw painting, cinema banner painting, calligraphy, and needlework.

In conjunction with the exhibition, a series of events—seminar, art discussion, traditional puthi recitations, Charyapada Songs' performances, and a Cultural Evening featuring  music-dance-instrumental —will be held at Alliance Française de Dhaka:

10 May 2025, 5:00 PM:

Seminar: Buddha's Philosophy and Charyapada

Speakers: Dr. Saymon Zakaria, Nurunnabi Shanto, and Sadhika Srijoni Tania

13 May 2025, 6:00 PM:

Gautama Buddha Jibanalekkhya : Recitation, musical presentation, and readings based on Manoranjan Bala’s “Gautama Buddha Gitikabya”

Participants: Shah Alam Deyoan, Manoj Roy, Mazumder Biplab, and Anindya Amat

15 May 2025, 5:00 PM:

Art Discussion : Hīrakasūtra, Reflections of Buddha, and Oriental Printmaking Traditions

Keynote: Professor Dr. Rashid Amin

15 May 2025, 7:00 PM:

Cultural Evening: Performances of music, dance, and instrumental compositions

Performers: Aritree Nandy, Prapti Ghosh, Bappy Paul, Badiuzzaman Khan (Omi), Arundhati Kar, Suborno Chakraborty Tonmoy, and Zahangir Alom

16 May 2025, 5:00 PM:

Revival Session: Songs of the Charyapadas by Mystic Practitioners

Presented by: Bhavnagar Foundation's mystic artist collective

Founded in 2009, the Oriental Painting Study Group has consistently supported emerging artists through exhibitions, workshops, publications, scholarships, and community projects. The organizers firmly believe that this art exhibition on the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha, held in collaboration with Alliance Française de Dhaka, will inspire hope for peace, harmony, and goodwill across the globe.

Exhibition Hours: Monday to Saturday, 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM