The ‘17th Potters’ Conference and Awards 2026’
was held in a highly festive atmosphere in Barishal, aimed at preserving and
promoting Bangladesh’s traditional pottery craft and recognizing the artisans
dedicated to this field. The event was organized by the ‘Potters’ Conference
and Awards, Barishal’ on Saturday (October 17) at 12:00 PM at a community
center in the city. As part of a 17-year-long tradition, this conference
continues to introduce the art of pottery to the new generation, a press release said.
The conference was inaugurated by Moinul Abedin, an
engineer and art enthusiast, who is the youngest son of the legendary artist
Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin. Advocate Bilkis Akter Jahan Shirin, Administrator
of the Barishal City Corporation, attended the event as the chief guest.
Special guests included Major General (Retd.) Dr. Monirul Islam Akhand,
Managing Director of Summit Power Limited, and traveler Anu Tarek.
This year, over 150 potters from various parts of the
country—including Barishal, Faridpur, Madaripur, Mymensingh, Tangail, Naogaon,
and Rajshahi—participated in the conference. Eighteen veteran and skilled
artisans from different regions were honored across various categories.
Notably, the ‘Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Lifetime Achievement Award’ was
presented to Niranjan Pal, a veteran potter from Mansurabad Union in Bhanga
Upazila, Faridpur.
During the conference, artisans from across the country
showcased and sold a variety of traditional clay products, including
earthenware vessels, Manasa-ghat (ritual pots), dolls, shokher hari (decorative
pots), and clay toys. The potters also introduced visitors to various
traditional clay items from their respective regions—pieces that were once
renowned but are now on the verge of extinction. Additionally, an art
competition for children was held earlier in the morning. In his
inaugural address, Engineer Moinul Abedin stated, “Growing up surrounded by the
pottery collection of my father, Zainul Abedin, I developed a keen interest in
this craft—an interest that has only deepened over time. Pottery is an integral
part of Bangladesh’s culture and heritage. It is essential to showcase the
diversity, history, and aesthetics of this art form to the new generation.
Everyone involved in the creative sphere must play a responsible role in
preserving this traditional craft and fostering interest among the youth.”
Major General (Retd.) Dr. Monirul Islam Akhand, Managing
Director of Summit Power Limited, remarked, “The Summit Group has always
supported creative endeavors, and we will continue to do so. For the past 17
years, we have been honoring potters to encourage their work; we have remained
committed to this noble cause since the very beginning.”
In her speech as the chief guest, Bilkis Akter Jahan
Shirin, Administrator of the Barishal City Corporation, said, “Pottery is a
part of our national heritage. We must come forward to keep this craft
alive—doing so will not only protect the environment but also sustain the
livelihoods of thousands of people involved in the trade.”
During the event, traveler Anu Tarek mentioned that
efforts are underway to make this significant gathering an annual tradition in
Barishal. By bringing these often-overlooked potters into the public eye, it
may be possible to preserve this art form, which is currently on the verge of
extinction. Visitors at the event highly praised the initiative, urging both
the public and private sectors to intervene effectively to save this fading
craft and its artisans, while also encouraging everyone to incorporate earthen
products into their daily lives.
The event was attended by a diverse group of distinguished
guests, including prominent researchers, artists, cultural activists, and
academics.
