Rare photos of Zailnul Abedin

By MWB Desk

Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin has a reputation that towers above the artistic culture of Bangladesh. In spite of his tremendous presence in our culture, there is still a wealth of information that is still being learnt about the artist. Here, in the photo feature in the pages that follow, we bring you a series of photos that you may not have seen before. Without a doubt, Zainul Abedin brought out the stark realities of life in Bangladesh in the harshest of times. Here are some fleeting impressions of the artist to understand him better.

Young Zainul (c. 1940’s)

Zainul Abedin with his mother, Jainabunessa
This picture is taken by Shamsul Islam Al-Maji in Dhaka, 1976

Zainul Abedin with his family in Clifton beach, Karachi, Pakistan

Zainul Abedin with friends and students in Kolkata, (c.1930’s) on the left
stands Shafiqul Ameen, and second from left is Quamrul Hassan

Zainul showing his rare collections of Nakshi Kantha
to a foreign guest (c.1950’s)

In the London studio of his tutor, Mr. John Buckland-Wright renowned
New Zealand-born engraver, painter, and instructor at the Slade School

Zainul Abedin as a judge of the Biennial Exhibition of paintings
of RCD countries, with Empress Farah Diba of Iran, Tehran 1966

Zainul Abedin presenting his artwork to the First
Lady of Yugoslavia Jovanka Broz, 1974

Zainul Abedin with the famous Mexican painter Raúl Anguiano

Zainul Abedin with Hans Bartels in Russia

Portrait of Zainul Abedin in Japan, 1956

Zainul with the artists of Bangladesh and India at the ‘Contemporary Art Exhibition of Bangladesh’ at Delhi, 1973

All photographs are used with permission