মুক্তিযুদ্ধের পটভূমি সৃষ্টিতে চিত্রশিল্পীদের প্রত্যক্ষ আন্দোলন-সংগ্রাম : একটি পর্যালোচনা
ড. আহম্মেদ শরীফ
সহযোগী অধ্যাপক, ইতিহাস বিভাগ, জাতীয় বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59815/isp.vol4308

Abstract: When attempting to reconstruct the history of Pakistan, it becomes evident that researchers have, in most cases, focused primarily on the political background in their historical investigations. But the Liberation War of Bangladesh was not only a political and military movement but also a cultural awakening, where visual artists played a significant role. During the Pakistan peroid, artists in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) actively contributed to the development of national consciousness through their art. They depicted the oppression, disparity, and injustices faced by Bengalis under the Pakistani regime, using powerful visual narratives that sparked public awareness and resistance. Prominent artists such as Quamrul Hassan, Safiuddin Ahmed, Hashem Khan and Mohammad Kibria portrayed rural life, common people, and the struggle for justice in their artwork. These creations served as cultural resistance and inspired patriotism among the masses. Especially notable were their contributions during the 1969 mass uprising and the 1971 Liberation War, including revolutionary posters, makeshift workshops at the Faculty of Fine Arts. This paper reviews the direct involvement of visual artists in shaping the socio-political context leading up to the Liberation War. It evaluates the impact of their artworks in mobilizing public opinion and fostering a spirit of resistance and national identity. It argues that art served not just as a mirror of reality, but as a powerful tool for protest, motivation, and liberation.

Key Words: Liberation War, Painter Artist, National Consciousness, Cultural Movement, Resistance, Fine Art, Institute of Fine Arts, Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, Poster Art, Mass Awakening, Political Protest.