Article

by Minoli de Soysa

Mithu ~ An All-Round Talent

 Khalid Mahamood Mithu is a multi-talented man –

an artist, cameraman and director.

Along with his wife Kanak Chanpa Chakma who is also a well-known Bangladeshi artist, he formed a TV production company, Arjo Cholochitro, in 1994. The company, which started with a music video on indigenous people, now has 600 music videos to its credit. It also makes video documentaries and plays, aiming to portray a new Bangladesh, full of hope and possibilities.

Mithu, an abstract artist, has taken part in many international and national exhibitions and received several awards for his work. In Dhaka, Mithu will hold a 10-day solo exhibition of his work from April 23 at the Chitrak Art Gallery, Rd 4, in Dhanmondi. Not just a painting exhibition, it will also feature video installations. Around 40 paintings will be displayed.

A recent visit to St Martin’s Island in southern Bangladesh provided the inspiration for many of the mixed media works featuring sand and seashells. One room will consist of these paintings along with the sounds of the sea playing in the background.

“I like to paint to expose Bangladesh in a positive way showing its music, culture, nature and literature. This is what inspires me to paint,” says Mithu.

However, he does not believe in art merely for beauty’s sake.

“In our country, morality is going down. We have many problems. I want to make people conscious of what is wrong with society through the use of symbolism in my paintings,” he explains.

To see Mithu and Kanak’s paintings visit their website  at www.arjomovies.com