Posted on 9 November 2025:
“Dhaka to Banaras: A Vibrant Duet of Art and Culture at BHU”
FROM THE HEART OF DHAKA TO THE GHATS OF BANARAS, A SOULFUL JOURNEY UNFOLDS THROUGH BRUSHSTROKES AND COLORS AT THE BHARAT KALA BHAVAN MUSEUM, BHU, VARANASI.
Bohemian proudly presents “Dhaka to Banaras,” a duet exhibition featuring the evocative works of Md. Fariaz Emran and Niharika Awhona Barsaat, curated by Dr. Rajiv Mandal.
The exhibition will be inaugurated by Hon’ble Prof. Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi, Vice Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University on 10 November 2025. His presence is set to mark the beginning of this artistic journey with grace, insight and quiet inspiration.
This cultural celebration brings together eminent artists and distinguished guests, including Prof. Uttama Dixit, Dean, Faculty of Visual Arts; eminent artist S. Pranam Singh; Prof. S.V.S Raju, VC, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology; Prof. Rajesh Singh, International Coordinator, BHU; Prof. Sangeeta Pandit, Dean, Performing Art Faculty, BHU and Dr. Sunil Kumarvishwakarma, Chairman, State Lalit Kala Akademi (UP) in a gathering that honors tradition, creativity and exchange.
The inauguration marks the beginning of a five-day showcase, open daily from 11 AM to 5 PM, where art lovers can witness the fusion of heritage and imagination.
Set against the historic backdrop of Banaras Hindu University, this exhibition is a tribute to shared stories, vibrant visuals and the timeless spirit of artistic dialogue.
“It is heartening to witness two of our Bangladeshi students, recipients of the prestigious ICCR Scholarship, paying homage to the legendary artist Sheikh Mohammed Sultan through an evocative exhibition at Bharat Kala Bhavan,” said Prof. Suresh K. Nair of Banaras Hindu University.
The exhibition features works by Ms. Niharika Awhona Barsaat and Mr. Fariaz Emran—two young artists whose voices are both sensitive and socially aware.
“Through their works,” Prof. Nair observed, “the artists reflect upon the complex socio-political and environmental realities of contemporary India and Bangladesh.
Beneath their individual expressions, one can sense shared threads of compassion, empathy and environmental consciousness, along with a distinctly autobiographical undercurrent.”
“Both artists draw deep inspiration from the spiritual wisdom of Sufism—especially the words of Rumi, Lalon Fakir, and Rabindranath Tagore,” shared Prof. Suresh K. Nair.
“Their works speak of love, struggle and resilience — also responding to the social and emotional wounds of our times.”
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During their stay at BHU in 2022, Ms. Niharika Awhona Barsaat and Mr. Fariaz Emran found creative energy in the museum’s rich collections.
“Fariaz was drawn to the ancient forms of Mohenjo-daro and Harappan sculpture,” Prof. Nair noted, “while Niharika was enchanted by the fine details of Indian miniatures, textiles and jewellery.”
Today, Fariaz paints the everyday life of Banaras with a realist’s eye—rickshaw pullers, pilgrims and the quiet shift from tradition to modernity.
Niharika, on the other hand, brings nature into her art—birds, animals and embroidered memories—blending beauty with a gentle call for environmental care.
“Together,” Prof. Nair added, “they offer a poetic bridge between Dhaka and Banaras, between memory and movement, between the personal and the political.”
“We studied at the Fine Art Department, Jahangirnagar University in Dhaka before receiving the ICCR scholarship,” shared Fariaz Emran and Niharika Awhona Barsaat.
“Varanasi attracted us with its rich culture, colour and spirituality—it felt like a living canvas.”
“This journey is not just ours,” they added, “it’s a shared cultural story—where personal memories meet collective heritage.”
THEIR JOINT EXHIBITION, DHAKA TO BANARAS, REFLECTS A SPIRIT OF EXPLORATION AND TRANSFORMATION. THROUGH DIVERSE MEDIUMS AND TECHNIQUES, THEY WEAVE A DIALOGUE BETWEEN TRADITION AND MODERNITY, IDENTITY AND ENVIRONMENT.
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