Sylhet celebrates artist Harold Rashid Chowdhury on his 70th birthday with debut solo exhibition

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Artist Harold Rashid Chowdhury, a multifaceted talent celebrated for his mastery of both painting and music, marked his 70th birthday on Tuesday with a landmark cultural celebration in Sylhet. The event, titled “Sattore Harold,” drew a diverse gathering of artists, writers, and cultural activists to the Shah Alam Gallery of Fine Arts to honor a lifetime of creative dedication.

The festivities featured a cake-cutting ceremony led by prominent Bangladeshi artists Abul Barq Alvi, Professor Nisar Hossain, and Professor Shishir Bhattacharjya, alongside musician Himangshu Biswas. Attendees also witnessed the unveiling of a new publication documenting the life and body of work of the artist. The program included reflections from notable figures such as Indian Assistant High Commissioner to Sylhet Rajesh Bhatia, theatre personality Mu. Anwar Hossain Rony, and Professor Farzana Siddika of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology. The evening concluded with musical performances and poetry recitations by various local artists.

The celebration coincides with the artist’s first-ever solo exhibition, which opened Monday at the same venue. The three-day event showcases 70 of Chowdhury’s paintings and 150 cartoons, offering the public a rare look into a career that has largely unfolded away from the limelight of the capital.

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During the opening proceedings, renowned artist Abul Barq Alvi remarked on the rarity of an artist of Chowdhury’s caliber dedicating decades to quiet practice outside Dhaka. Professor Nisar Hossain praised Chowdhury’s ability to transcend artistic boundaries, noting his deep expertise in both visual arts and music. Meanwhile, Professor Shishir Bhattacharjya drew parallels between contemporary AI-driven art and the experimental work Chowdhury was producing as early as the 1980s, expressing confidence that his contributions to the nation’s art scene will continue to grow.

Reflecting on the milestone, Harold Rashid Chowdhury expressed his gratitude to the supporters and admirers who organized the tribute. The exhibition at the Shah Alam Gallery of Fine Arts remains open to the public daily from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and concludes Wednesday. Additionally, students of the artist are hosting a collective exhibition at the Sylhet Arts College in the Kumarpara area to honor their mentor’s long-standing influence on the region’s creative landscape.