Rainy Season in Bangladesh – A Festive season

Wherever I look I see water, everywhere there is water...it is the rainy season, the monsoon season...trees are submerged, lands are flooded and even some villages are all under water. Yet the season brings fond memories for me. When I was younger I remember the feeling of excitement and joy and this season brings about an armada of boats, boats become the essential mode of transport. Women are excited in the villages as this season their fathers or brothers send boats to take them to their father’s home for a long term visit, termed ‘Nayor’ in Bengali.

As most of the land is underwater, people usually congregate in one another’s homes and tell stories, sing songs, children and some adults are usually playing in the water swimming and generally having a festive time. I remember the late night chatter, stories, folk songs every time I see the water, the rainy season is indeed a joyful time ...this is the inspiration behind this painting.

The Wild Flower's Song

As I wander'd the forest,
The green leaves among,
I heard a wild flower
Singing a song.

I slept in the Earth
In the silent night,
I murmur'd my fears
And I felt delight.

William Blake

Landscape in Bangladesh

I have been thinking for a long time to paint something related to Bangladesh, but I couldn’t decide what my theme should be. I wanted to do a subject that I love. Immediately boats came to my mind, as they hold many fond childhood memories for me. I was still looking at what exactly that would mean and then I saw my brother’s recent photo album where he took pictures of different beautiful places in Bangladesh.

There was this one picture of a boat on a lake which inspired me and I used this photo to compose my painting, though not identical it follows generally the composition of the photo itself. Thank you Anwar Hussain Enam.