Shilpacharya never considered art as isolated from life: PM

FE Team | Published: December 30, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina said Monday that her government wants to build a beautiful future for the Bangalee nation by maintaining a wonderful environment in the country, report agencies.
She called upon the country's artists, litterateurs and cultural activists to work together to establish a non-communal society by changing the behaviours of those having terrorist and fanatic mindsets.
"We want peace, not clash...we want to maintain beautiful environment in the country as expected by all. Our aim is to have a wonderful atmosphere for the Bangalee nation and it could be placed in the dignified position on the world stage," she said.
"Sometimes a question crosses my mind whether the Bangalee nation is deviating from its cultural mainstream which is non-communalism…maybe a section of people is getting derailed, but not the whole Bangalee nation," the PM made the remarks while inaugurating the year-long national-level programme of the Cultural Affairs Ministry marking the birth centenary of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin at the auditorium of the National Museum in the city.
Born on December 29, 1914 at a village in Kishoreganj, Zainul Abedin grew up to be a famous painter of the contemporary period.
Sheikh Hasina mentioned that militancy, bigotry, intolerance and violence cannot go with Bangalee culture, as fraternity, harmony and hospitality are the ideals of Bangalees.
She noted that terrorism has emerged in recent times as evil forces in the guise of religion are killing people and carrying out attacks on religious establishments.
The PM also mentioned that the entire nation witnessed destructive activities, vandalism and burning of the holy Quran at the National Mosque Baitul Mokarram last year. "These elements call themselves Muslims….this is very sad," she bemoaned.