The 80th birthday of poet, painter, writer, lyricist, singer, entrepreneur and philanthropist Sheikh Rabiul Haque was celebrated on September 15 at the National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. The celebration formed part of a 10-day programme dedicated to his creative journey, bringing together figures from Bangladesh’s cultural, literary and business communities.
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Born on September 15, 1947, in Kushtia, Haque is a real estate developer and the Managing Director of Tropical Homes Limited. Alongside his business career, he has developed a diverse body of work spanning poetry, painting, essays, short stories and music. He is also known for his interest in Sufi thought and philosophy. His publications include “Darshonik Gatha”, “Koti Bochor Pore”, “Dristi O Path”, “Momotamoyi”, “Rubaiyat-e-Rabi” and “Keramotir Biraombana”. His writings explore themes of spirituality, humanity and world peace. His book “Sufi Thoughts in Literature and World Peace” reflects this philosophical dimension of his literary work.
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A major part of the birthday programme was an exhibition of Haque’s paintings at Gallery 7 on the third floor of the National Art Gallery. The exhibition featured 85 selected works and remained open until September 25. The collection includes realistic and abstract works inspired by the landscapes and everyday life of Bengal.
Haque’s paintings move between rural landscapes, human figures, nature and more expressive compositions. Several works draw on familiar imagery of Bengal, including rivers, fields, trees, flowers and village life. Warm oranges, ochres and greens feature prominently across many of the canvases. Scenes of musicians, rural communities and figures engaged in everyday activities give the exhibition a distinctly human character. One painting depicts a woman or performer in a vivid outdoor setting, while another presents a rural landscape with cattle and open fields. Paintings addressing unemployment and social hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic also stand out among the collection.
Some of his paintings take a more expressive and interpretive approach. Several works use bold colour contrasts and simplified forms to create movement and emotional intensity, moving beyond recognisable scenes of Bengali life to compositions in which colour, form and gesture become the central means of expression.
Artist and Emeritus Professor Rafiqun Nabi inaugurated the exhibition as the chief guest. He described Haque as a self-taught artist who had received no formal training in painting. Nabi praised his choice of subjects and use of colour, highlighting the considerable volume of his artistic output.
Haque has also been involved with numerous social organisations. He served as District Governor of Lions Clubs International District in 2017–18 and has remained associated with literary and cultural organisations. He serves as a board member of the Bangiya Sahitya Sanskriti Sangsad and as Acting President of the Bangladesh Writers Club.
Reflecting on the celebration, Haque said that continuing to work and keeping himself busy remained a
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