Almost every individual in the nation has seen the 'Anti-Terrorism Raju Memorial Sculpture' at the TSC the intersection of Dhaka University, either in person or on television or in photographs. This circular sculpture has turned into the focal point of resistance groups, protests, and demands. Young rebels linking hands and taking solid strides ahead are shown in this epic sculpture by Shyamal Chowdhury, one of Bangladesh's top artists in the field of outdoor sculpture.

The eminent sculptor was seriously injured in a road accident on December 30, 2020, on his way back to Dhaka after making a sculpture of Comrade Mani Singh in Durgapur, Netrokona. According to his youngest daughter Rupakalpa Chowdhury, the artist suffered serious injuries to one side of his body and brain because of that accident - and although his life was saved after long-term treatment in India and the country, he has lost his ability to work and now spending his days in the privacy of his home. That unfortunate accident snatched away his usual sculpting creativity - however, to motivate the eminent artist, his family recently organized an exceptional house exhibition, titled 'Oboyob er Proticchhobi'/'Echoes In Form' in his Shyamoli residence, at the Ambrosia apartment on Shyamoli, Road Number 4, in the capital.

The unique exhibition, curated by Rupakalpa (who herself is a graduate in sculpture from Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata, India; a multidisciplinary artist, and a singer-songwriter), was inaugurated by renowned artist Monirul Islam and Liberation War Museum trustee and cultural personality Mofidul Haque on January 10. Initially scheduled to be continued till January 12, the exhibition was extended for two more days, concluded on January 14 - and visitors explored the exhibition from 2 pm to 7 pm every day.

Detailing the exhibition to Dhaka Courier, Rupakalpa Chowdhury informed that one of the purposes behind the exhibition was to bridge the gap with the artistic community, that happened due to his father's untimely accident. The 45 selected artworks showcased several sculptures including some which are made in fibreglass, drawings made at different times during Shyamal Chowdhury's student life, sketchbooks, photographs and a video image of the time of making various sculptures.

While it is common for artists overseas to display their work in their homes or studios, this generally is not a common practice here, according to Rupakalpa Chowdhury; however, her father has been attempting to sketch again recently, and the primary purpose of this exhibition is to encourage him. She told DC that the family considered this as a minimal celebration of her father's eventful life and work because this was held inside their residence, but they were overwhelmed by the participation of art admirers.

Born in Netrakona in 1962, Shyamal Chowdhury graduated with first place in the first division in sculpture from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Dhaka University in 1986. Later, he received higher training as an artist-in-residence at the University of Gloucestershire in the UK. His first solo exhibition of art was held in London. In addition to the Raju Memorial Sculpture, sculptor Shyamal Chowdhury has created several monumental and large-scale sculptures at various places including Pabna and Patuakhali Science and Technology Universities, Bangladesh Agricultural University and National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam University Campus in Mymensingh, and the Sonargaon Folk and Crafts Museum, to name a few. (Images photographed by Tahiyat Nazifa Noor).