The Faculty of Fine Arts (Charukala) at the University of Dhaka is widely considered the birthplace of Bengali Modernism, was established in 1948. It was co-founded by the pioneering painter Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin to introduce institutional art education to the country.
Fine arts have always captivated me, the Zainul Gallery (the official art gallery inside the Charukala campus at the University of Dhaka) is completely open to the public and art enthusiasts. whenever I visit, I make it a point to see this art gallery. The architecture, the art, and the gardens are all so beautifully arranged that one cannot help but be enchanted by them.
The pieces are predominantly abstract expressionist works, dealing with complex layered line work, dripping paint techniques, and intense color blocks.
A close-up of a wide, horizontal canvas resting on the ground. This painting features an incredibly energetic mix of bright pinks, yellows, and teals overlayed with chaotic, continuous black and white loop doodles, suggesting a crowded or frantic state of mind. p-119
This piece is highly organic, using sweeping strokes of warm colorsâmagenta, bright pink, orange, and yellowâwith intentional white paint drips running down the canvas, creating a sense of fluid movement or melting forms.
A striking structural contrast to the other works, this canvas features a massive, dark splattered burst resembling an explosion against a calm, textured teal background with an orange accent bleeding from the bottom corner.
Canvas full of bright yellow and green undertones, cut across by bold, looping red and pink neon-like bands. Dark, smoky black abstract forms swirl at the top left, giving the piece a strong sense of internal conflict or stormy weather.
The horizontal canvas captures the raw energy of action painting and expressionist abstraction. Heavily inspired by Jackson Pollock-style drip aesthetics, the canvas is dominated by an intricate, layered network of splattered, flung, and dripped paint lines.
Charukala Bakultala, is the premises of Fine Art. The greenery, art price, sculpture, the buiding everything indulge on the Department so easily. Here many program has been organised like Basnta baron - celebrating 1st day of Spring on Bengali Year calendar. I have attended so many of them.
This is a bronze bust of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, the pioneering Bangladeshi painter and founding father of modern Bangladeshi art.
is located in the courtyard of the Faculty of Fine Arts (Charukala) at the University of Dhakaâ he prominently co-founded in 1948 to foster institutional art education in the country. The bust captures his iconic contemplative look, complete with his signature eyeglasses.
A vertical canvas standing outdoors near the grass. It uses a darker color palette (purples, deep reds, and yellows) heavily dominated by aggressive, gestural black ink strokes, reminiscent of calligraphy mixed with abstract expressionism.
A heavily layered, paint-smeared wooden palette sits next to a large container. Nearby are professional art supplies, including tubes of acrylic paint and jars of pigment. A deeply expressive painting captures an elderly woman wearing a traditional head covering who is holding up a smaller portrait of a man with a mustache. The warm, monochrome sepia tones of the painting contrast beautifully with the colorful mess of the workspace.
BreakingThe canvas is packed tightly with a dense sea of repetitive, stylized faces wearing matching white caps or helmets, breaking through the monotony are two highly expressive, cartoonish creatures in the center. One is a lime-green character peering out, while the other is a vibrant, textured yellow-and-green figure with its arms thrown wide open and massive googly eyes, serving as a bright symbol of individuality or chaotic energy.
An alternate angle further down the hallway, showing how these massive pieces are arranged. It features a bright pink abstract piece on an easel next to a painting showing a stylized, bearded red figure surrounded by a bright yellow halo and urban graffiti elements.
Resting on the floor against Charukalaâs signature red-brick corridor walls, this massive, wide horizontal canvas is a masterclass in chaotic storytelling. The piece looks like a sprawling tapestry of graffiti and doodles, utilizing a vibrant mix of oil pastels, charcoal, and acrylic markers. It features an intricate web of overlapping figures, abstract faces, geometric shapes, and text-like scribbles.
These works highlight the intense focus on emotional expression, color theory, and raw canvas experimentation that the students dive into during their fine arts curriculum.
At the heart of the entrance pavilion is an internal courtyard featuring a highly sculptural, organically curved reinforced concrete staircase. Built without blocky, harsh edges, the staircase spirals upwards like a piece of art itself, supported by a central heavy column. Just past this open courtyard lies a central lotus pond and open-air sitting area. This serve as the âopen heartâ of Charukalaâa vibrant social crossroads where students gather to talk, play music, and conceptualize their projects.
â This is the National Fruit of Bangladesh, Jackfruit, i have showcased in artistic way with flower
The large-scale, vibrant folk art sculptures and floats typically crafted at Charukala for cultural celebrations like Pahela Baishakh (the Bengali New Year) and the Mangal Shobhajatra procession. These pieces beautifully translate traditional Bangladeshi folk motifs into massive, three-dimensional forms. Charukala has designed all the motifs
The structure is covered in beautifully layered, rounded scales or feathers that transition from deep crimson at the bottom to vibrant orange and bright yellow near its neck. With its head tilted upward and beak wide open, it appears to be mid-crow, set against a backdrop of lush green trees and a hand-painted wall.
A giant, stylized white bird structureâreminiscent a dove of peace.
The fabric body is decorated with distinctive folk art accents, including a bright orange wing patch and a necklace of yellow dots. Its large, fan-like tail is intricately painted with sweeping blue, white, and black feather patterns outlined in bold grey curves.
This wide shot features an impressive reddish-brown horse sculpture carrying a traditional warrior. The horse is decorated with rows of orange and yellow teardrop patterns along its neck and legs. The rider on top holds a decorated circular shield.
A massive sculptural replica of a traditional Bengali stringed musical instrument, resembling a Dotara. Craftsmanship as features a large, hollowed-out wooden body finished in tan and dark brown paint. Complete with stylized tuning pegs at the top, a metallic bridge, and stretched strings, it stands as a monumental tribute to the regionâs rich musical heritage.
A magnificent black elephant structure adorned with vibrant folk paint. Motifs like- The elephant is decorated with traditional Alpana- style yellow and white geometric lines, sun circles, and blue teardrop designs. It features large, sweeping, wing-like ears painted in bright pink, blue, and green, giving the majestic creature a highly celebratory and fantastical appearance.
A beautifully recreated Palki (palanquin) , a traditional human-conveyed litter used historically in Bengal, particularly for carrying brides.
Aesthetics of The structure is painted in a striking brick-red color and heavily embellished with intricate white and yellow floral stencils and folk borders. It is equipped with long gold-tipped carrying poles extending from both ends, resting on a temporary wooden framework between the trees.
Actually The Entire Campus is a Gallery. Though this mastery of local bricks, open spaces, and deep integration with the surrounding canopy of trees, the Charukala building stands as a poetic, breathing layout that mirrors the secular, nature-loving essence of Bengali culture. Facuty of Fine arts is a welcoming, vibrant hub for anyone who wants to explore the contemporary and traditional art scene in Dhaka.
Important inormation to Look out
Neatest Station: Shahabag Station, MRT Line-6, 7-min walk from the station
Bus Stoppage: Shabag Bus stand, Bus lines are- Maloncho, Meghla, Mirpur Link, airport link, trans Silva, Bihongo, Bikalpa Bus Service, Shahabag ltd., Savar link, welcome link.
Wheelchair accessibility: 
Yes
Admission: Free of Cost
Time: 09:00- 17:00
Parking: No parking 