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Zainul Abedin’s Depiction

Of Bangladeshi Famine

Prepared by: Md. Mahbubul Haque OsmaniLectuer, ULAB

Zainul Abedin a great teacher of the Arts

Born December 29, 1914 in Kishoreganj,  Mymanshing.

1933, admitted to the Calcutta Government Art School. Joined as a faculty in the same school. 1938 a series of water color honor on the Brahmaputra River. Won the gold medal for  governor  in the  All-India  Exhibition.

Notable SketchesZainul ‘s famine sketches of 1940s are his most remarkable works.

He created his famine painting set, which, when exhibited in 1944. Brought him even more critical acclaim.

Great Famine of Bengal in 1943

Bengal famine of 1943, around five million people died from starvation, malnutrition and related illnesses The food situation in India was tight from the beginning of the Second World War. On 19 October 1943, the famine was at its peak.Human made famine, for war and policy problem.

Great Famine of Bengal in 1943

A cyclone and three tidal waves in October in 1942. The winter 1942 ‘aman’ rice crop was hit. 450 square miles were swept by tidal waves 400 square miles affected by floods3200 square miles damaged by wind and torrential rain Reserve stocks were destroyed Killed 14,500 people and 190,000 cattle Destroyed 50% to 90% of some rice by fungus.

Great Famine of Bengal in 1943

Miserable situation of the starving people in 1943. Touched Zainul’s sensitive heart very deeply Depicted those starving people who were dying by the road side in search of little bit of food

Famine SketchesNot just documented the famine, but showed its sinister face

Depicted skeletal figures of people fated to die of starvation Its became iconic images of human suffering

Famine Sketch 1943, Zainul Abedin

The painting depicts the human struggle for survival during the famine of 1943. The painter has created a vivid scene of this struggle in which human and crow are seen to be equally involved in the relentless effort to procure food from dustbin.

Famine Sketch 1943, Zainul Abedin

Mother provides food to her children. Miserable health condition for starvation. Both are skeletal figures.

Famine Sketch 1943, Zainul Abedin

Two kids are sharing food from one plate. Skeletal figures for food crisis. Crows are observing this.

Famine Sketch 1943, Zainul Abedin

A skeletal man is trying to licking food from something for mitigating hunger.

Famine Sketch 1943, Zainul Abedin

A mother tensed, kept hand in forehead. Her kid laid for starvation. But she couldn’t manage food for her.

Famine Sketch 1943, Zainul Abedin

Same thing is happening here. Mother with her two kids is searching for food with a plate in her hand. Skeletal body of infant. No future in front of them.

Famine Sketch 1943, Zainul Abedin

Miserable situation of human being. Skeletal infant in its mother cradle. Mother was wearing torn cloths and kept her hand in an empty plate.

Famine Sketch 1943, Zainul Abedin

For starving a person already dead during the famine of 1943 . Birds of prey was eating the skeletal dead body. A dog also eat something beside the dead body. Empty plate and mug are the sign of starvation.

Famine Sketch 1943, Zainul Abedin

A person already died and covered by burial cloth. One of his/her skeletal legs is uncovered. A crow is sitting on the dead body. A skeletal domestic dog laid beside the dead body. Here also see the empty plate and mug.

ConclusionZainul Abedin died on May 28, 1976 in Dhaka 1975, Zainul Abedin founded the Folk Art Museum in Sonargaon, near Dhaka. Zainul Abedin Sangrahashala, an exhibition of Zainul Abedin's work in Mymensingh. Referred with great respect as Shilpacharya (Great Teacher of the Arts) in Bangladesh.

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