Sheikh Arif Bulbon :To raise awareness among the people about the Israeli’s brutal attacks on Gaza, and also to raise funds to help the victims of the violence in Palestine, Drik has organised a three-day programme titled ‘Appeal for Gaza’ at Drik Gallery in the city’s Dhanmondi area recently. The programme included an exhibition and sale of paintings and photographs donated by a number of artists and photographers. Alongside the artworks, merchandises carrying slogans for Gaza were also up for sale as part of the fundraising activity. The event was a part of Drik’s ‘No more’ public awareness campaign. The inauguration ceremony of the programme was held on August 18 with the presence of Palestinian Ambassador to Bangladesh Shaher Mohammad. The inaugural ceremony began with singer Kafil Ahmed’s a song titled Praan-e praan melaboi boley rakhi. Shahidul Alam, Managing Director of Drik, artist Monirul Islam and Palestinian students who are living in Bangladesh also expressed their thoughts at the opening ceremony of the programme.Expressing solidarity with the innocents being killed in Gaza, a group of empathetic artists donated their photographs and paintings. Artists and photographers Abdus Shakoor Shah, Abir Abdullah, Bishwajit Goswami, Jamal Ahmed, Jannatul Mawa, Kanak Chanpa Chakma, Mohammad Anisul Hoque, Monirul Islam, Nasir Ali Mamun, Rokeya Sultana, Samarjit Roy Chowdhury, Saiful Huq Omi, Shahid Kabir, Shahidul Alam, Shishir Bhattachariya, Swapan Chowdhury, Taslima Akhter, Tapash Paul, Wakilur and among others, contributed their artworks and photographs to raise the funds. On the first floor of Drik Gallery, photographs were on display, while the second floor had paintings. Apart from the exhibition, the event also featured cultural programmes. Second day of the event, flautist Shanto Kumar Das performed at the exhibition, followed by recitation and a musical performance by popular singer Krishnokoli Islam.As part of the third and last day’s schedule, promising theatre activist and actress Reetu A Sattar performed a solo performance titled ‘A Bird of a Stone.’ Later in the evening, singers Waqeel Ahad and Labik Kamal Gaurab rendered songs along with recitation and instrumental presentation of music. n NN photo
