A 10-day solo art exhibition of accomplished Indian artist Sukhamoy Majumder got underway Monday at Cosmos Atelier71, located in the city's Cosmos Centre.

The exhibition displays a total of 22 Sukhamoy paintings, the bulk of them being portraits to go with some abstracts. Although the painter has exhibited in Bangladesh before, this is his first collaboration with Gallery Cosmos.

Art-loving folks of the capital gathered at the exhibition, that was inaugurated by internationally renowned Bangladeshi artist Shahabuddin Ahmed as the chief guest. Among other distinguished guests who graced the occasion were artists Alakesh Ghosh, Biren Shome, Afroza Jamil Konka. UNB Chairman Amanullah Khan and Cosmos Group Deputy Managing Director Masud Khan were also present.

Shahabuddin mentioned that collaborative artistic projects on both sides of the border should be encouraged. He lauded Sukhamoy's works, and commended Gallery Cosmos for its continued efforts in supporting artists worldwide.

"It was tough to find books on Bangladeshi artists abroad due to the lack of distributors. Cosmos Group took on that responsibility, and now there is a visible change in that regard," said Shahabuddin, who has been based in Paris since the 1970s. He also spoke about the distinction between Indian and Bangladeshi painting styles.

"In Bangladeshi paintings, there is a different tone that is absent in Indian artworks," the globally famed artist said.

Artist Sukhamoy Majumder said he will be happy if people see his paintings presented in the exhibition.

Executive Assistant Director of Gallery Cosmos Rumessa Mailloux spoke at the programme.

Sukhamoy Majumder is a Kolkata-based contemporary painter. A native of Amherst Street, Kolkata, his alma maters include Mitra Institution, Saint Paul's College and Calcutta University. He had his first solo exhibition in Mumbai in 1987.

Portraits focusing on people; their faces and expression, as well as nature-inspired abstracts, have made his painting style distinctive. He has held numerous exhibitions across India and Bangladesh despite having no institutional qualification in painting.