Murtaja Baseer

Who is Murtaja Baseer?

Murtaja Baseer, who has established his individual style, is considered one of the foremost painters of Bangladesh. He is also known as a versatile genius. Throughout his illustrious career, Baseer has gradually transformed his style into abstract realism.

Baseer joined Dacca Art College as a student in 1949. The artist is the son of Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah, an outstanding scholar and linguist.

Baseer is still actively exploring the diverse world of art. He has done a series of works articulating contemporary life and issues. Hope, aspiration and strange visions are evoked with passion in his images.

Many are perhaps not familiar with Baseer's other identities. He is also a poet, short story writer, novelist, researcher, numismatist and filmmaker. Baseer has written novels and was acclaimed for his meticulous style and unique choice of themes. In 1954, he wrote a novel, titled Ultramarine. The novel was based on the contemporary life in Kolkata and the prevailing social issues. He had published a collection of short stories called Kanch-er Pakhir Gaan in 1969.

He wrote two more novels -- Mitar Shangey Char Shandha and Amitakkhar. He has a collection of selected works, Murtaja Baseer: Murto O Bimurto. He was a regular contributor to now defunct literary journals like Dilruba, Samakal and Saogat.