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{{Short description|Bangladeshi painter and artist (1932–2020)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{infobox person
| name = Murtaja Baseer
| native_name = মুর্তজা বশীর
| native_name_lang = bn
| image = Mortaza Bashir.jpg
| caption = Baseer in 1954
| birth_date = {{birth date|1932|8|17|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Dhaka]], [[Bengal Presidency]], [[British India]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|2020|8|15|1932|8|17|df=y}}
| death_place = Dhaka, [[Bangladesh]]
| resting_place = [[Banani Graveyard]]
| nationality = Bangladeshi
| occupation = Painter
| father = [[Muhammad Shahidullah]]
| relatives = [[Muhammad Takiullah]] (brother)
| alma_mater = {{unbulleted list|[[University of Dhaka]]|[[Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze|Academy of Fine Arts of Florence]]|[[École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts]]}}
| awards = [[#Awards|full list]]
}}

'''Murtaja Baseer''' (17 August 1932{{spnd}}15 August 2020) was a Bangladeshi painter and artist known for his abstract realism themed works.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=18 August 2020|title=Remembering Murtaja Baseer: The master of 'abstract realism'|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/tribute/news/remembering-murtaja-baseer-the-master-abstract-realism-1946585|access-date=18 August 2020|work=The Daily Star|language=en|archive-date=1 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901061503/https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/tribute/news/remembering-murtaja-baseer-the-master-abstract-realism-1946585|url-status=live}}</ref> He was also a poet, author, researcher, numismatist, and filmmaker.<ref name=turn>{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=199036|title=Murtaja Baseer turns 80|date=18 August 2011|access-date=11 February 2016|work=The Daily Star|archive-date=18 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110918225821/http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=199036|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/country/the-daily-star-honours-24-individuals-213121|title=Daily Star honours 25 scholars, nation builders|date=5 February 2016|work=The Daily Star|access-date=25 November 2017|language=en|archive-date=26 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171126053754/http://www.thedailystar.net/country/the-daily-star-honours-24-individuals-213121|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Ahmed |first=Monwar |date=1993 |title=Bhasha Andoloner Sochitro Dolil |location=Dhaka |publisher=Agamee Prokashani |pages=90–91 |isbn=984-401-147-7}}</ref> He was awarded the [[Ekushey Padak]], Bangladesh's second highest civilian honor, in 1980, and the [[Swadhinata Padak]], or [[Independence Day Award]], Bangladesh's highest state award, in 2019.<ref name=ekushey>{{cite news|url=http://www.moca.gov.bd/site/page/c706da0c-29ee-4f0f-95d9-fa6705e19001/|script-title=bn:একুশে পদকপ্রাপ্ত সুধীবৃন্দ|access-date=23 August 2017|publisher=Government of Bangladesh|language=bn|trans-title=Ekushey Padak winners list|archive-date=17 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617174919/http://www.moca.gov.bd/site/page/c706da0c-29ee-4f0f-95d9-fa6705e19001|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=10 March 2019|title=13 to get Independence Award|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/country/13-get-independence-award-2019-1713049|access-date=15 August 2020|work=The Daily Star|language=en|archive-date=29 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329030514/https://www.thedailystar.net/country/13-get-independence-award-2019-1713049|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Baseer was born to [[Muhammad Shahidullah]] and Marguba Khatun. His father, Shahidullah was a scholar and a linguist.<ref name="conv">{{cite news |author=Siddiqua, Fayeka|date=30 September 2016|title=In Conversation with Murtaja Baseer|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/star-weekend/spotlight/conversation-murtaja-baseer-1291759|access-date=30 September 2016|work=The Daily Star|archive-date=30 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930162524/http://www.thedailystar.net/star-weekend/spotlight/conversation-murtaja-baseer-1291759|url-status=live}}</ref>

Baseer enrolled in Dacca Art College (now the [[Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka]]) in 1949. After graduating in 1954, he studied at the [[Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze|Academy of Fine Arts of Florence]] from 1956 to 1958. He also studied mosaic and etching at [[École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts]] (ENSBA) in Paris from 1971 to 1973.<ref name="conv" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/interviews/tale-butterfly-man-1449541|title=Tale of a butterfly man: A conversation with Murtaza Bashir|date=17 August 2017|work=The Daily Star|access-date=17 July 2018|language=en|archive-date=13 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713043116/https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/interviews/tale-butterfly-man-1449541|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Career==
[[File:Murtaja baseer with zainul abedin.jpg|thumb|Baseer with [[Zainul Abedin]] in 1962]]
Baseer joined [[University of Chittagong]] as an assistant professor of fine arts, upon his return from France in 1973, and served until his retirement, as a professor of fine arts, in 1998.<ref name=lifetime/> He was active in leftist politics during the 1950s and was also sent to prison prior to Bangladesh's liberation.<ref>{{cite news|date=22 February 2012|title=Murtaja Baseer recalls the Language Movement|newspaper=The Daily Star|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=223321|access-date=11 February 2016|archive-date=22 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222125133/http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=223321|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Paintings ==
As an acclaimed painter, Baseer's working style was said to have evolved from realism and semi-realism in his early days to abstract realism. His paintings were considered a critical commentary on society. His style of using detailed lines and balanced colors have been considered a critical commentary on society. His portrayal of Bangladeshi women in his paintings is believed to reflect their individuality and strong personality.<ref name="lifetime" />

Peace is a recurring motif in his paintings with his collage ''"No More War"'' being considered his expression against the Iraq war, and his collage ''"Statue of Liberty"'' depicting the impact of war on women and children having to flee their home.<ref name="lifetime" />

Some of his early influences in the 1950s included the Indian painters [[Paritosh Sen]] (minimalism), and [[Dilip Das Gupta]] (mixing water colors), as well as [[Renaissance painters]] from the 13th and 14th centuries (absence of perspectives or shades of light).

In 1971, Baseer moved to Paris with his family, fearing arrest in Bangladesh (then [[East Pakistan]]) for his involvement in the liberation movement. His ''"Epitaph for the Martyrs"'' series was painted at this time, with stylization inspired by Parisian streets as a sombre background for the martyrs.<ref name=":0" />

In 1987, he received a fellowship from [[British Council]] to carry out research on folk and traditional art of Bangladesh. In 1988, he visited several museums in Delhi, Calcutta, Banaras and 3000 villages under nine districts of [[West Bengal]] — under the fellowship of [[Indian Council for Cultural Relations]] (ICCR).

Some of his famous paintings include ''Somnambular Ballad'', ''The Gypsy, Man with Accordion, Girl with Flower. Epitaph for the Martyrs, No More War, Statue of Liberty, the Wall series, and the Jyoti series.'' A watercolor portrait by Baseer is also an exhibit at the [[Louvre museum]], in Paris, France.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 August 2020|title=Murtaja Baseer: An artist in his own league|url=https://tbsnews.net/bangladesh/obituary/murtaja-baseer-artist-his-own-league-119995|access-date=18 August 2020|work=The Business Standard|language=en|archive-date=1 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901061503/https://tbsnews.net/bangladesh/obituary/murtaja-baseer-artist-his-own-league-119995|url-status=live}}</ref> His paintings have been exhibited in Bangladesh, Pakistan, America, Europe, and the erstwhile Soviet Union.<ref name="lifetime" />

== Author and filmmaker ==
Baseer has written several novels including ''Ultramarine'' (1954), ''Kanch-er Pakhir Gaan'' (1969), ''Mitar Shangey Char Shandha'' and ''Amitakkhar''. He was a regular contributor to now defunct literary journals like [[Dilruba]], [[Samakal]], and [[Saogat]]. His first published poem was ''Parbe Na''. In 1964, he was the screenwriter, art director, and chief assistant director on the 1965 [[Bengali language|Bengali]] film ''Nadi O Nari'' (''The River and the Women''). He was also art director for the 1965 Urdu film ''Kaise Kahoon''.<ref name="turn" />

His work ''Mudra O Shilalipir Aloke Banglar Habshi Sultan O Tothkalin Samaj'' was published in 2004. Several articles by Baseer have also been published in the Journal of the [[Numismatic Society of India]].<ref name="lifetime">{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/supplements/star-lifetime-awardees-2016/murtaja-baseer-212650|title=Murtaja Baseer|date=5 February 2016|newspaper=The Daily Star|access-date=1 February 2016|archive-date=15 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215122920/http://www.thedailystar.net/supplements/star-lifetime-awardees-2016/murtaja-baseer-212650|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Death ==
Baseer died from an infection with [[COVID-19]] during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh]] in [[Dhaka]], on 15 August 2020, at the age of 87, two days before his 88th birthday.<ref name=TDS15AUG>{{Cite news |title=Eminent artist Murtaja Baseer passes away|url=https://www.daily-sun.com/post/499495/Eminent-artist-Murtaja-Baseer-passes-away|access-date=15 August 2020|work=[[Daily Sun (Bangladesh)|Daily Sun]]|language=en|archive-date=22 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822180056/https://www.daily-sun.com/post/499495/Eminent-artist-Murtaja-Baseer-passes-away|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=PM condoles death of Murtaja Baseer|url=http://m.theindependentbd.com/post/251661|access-date=15 August 2020|work=The Independent|location=Dhaka|archive-date=22 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822180104/http://m.theindependentbd.com/post/251661|url-status=live}}</ref> He had sought treatment at Evercare Hospital.<ref>{{cite news |title=Murtaja Baseer Laid to Rest at Banani Graveyard |url=https://en.shampratikdeshkal.com/art/news/200810051/murtaja-baseer-to-be-buried-at-banani-graveyard |access-date=17 August 2020 |work=shampratikdeshkal |date=15 August 2020 |archive-date=1 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901061504/https://en.shampratikdeshkal.com/art/news/200810051/murtaja-baseer-to-be-buried-at-banani-graveyard |url-status=live }}</ref> After Baseer died, he was interred at [[Banani graveyard]], next to his wife, Amina Baseer.<ref>{{cite news |title=Murtaja Baseer laid to rest beside his wife's grave |url=https://www.daily-bangladesh.com/english/Murtaja-Baseer-laid-to-rest-beside-his-wifes-grave/48486 |access-date=17 August 2020 |work=Daily Bangladesh |date=15 August 2020 |archive-date=1 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901061503/https://www.daily-bangladesh.com/english/Murtaja-Baseer-laid-to-rest-beside-his-wifes-grave/48486 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Awards==
* Prix National, Festival of Paintings, Cagnes-sur Mer, France (1973)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bengalfoundation.org/artist/murtaja-baseer/|title=Murtaja Baseer|publisher=Bengal Foundation|language=en-US|access-date=29 November 2017|archive-date=3 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203075242/http://bengalfoundation.org/artist/murtaja-baseer/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Academy Award by [[Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy]] (1975)<ref name=":0"/>
* Best Cover Design, National Book Centre, Dhaka (1976)
* [[Ekushey Padak]] (1980)<ref name=":0"/>
* Sultan Padak, Narail (2003)
* Star Lifetime Award (2016)<ref name=lifetime/>
* [[Independence Day Award]] (2019)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{commonscatinline}}
* {{IMDb name|8179154}}
{{Artists of Bangladesh}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Baseer, Murtaja}}
[[Category:1932 births]]
[[Category:2020 deaths]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi cartoonists]]
[[Category:University of Dhaka Faculty of Fine Arts alumni]]
[[Category:École des Beaux-Arts alumni]]
[[Category:University of Chittagong faculty]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Ekushey Padak]]
[[Category:Honorary Fellows of Bangla Academy]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Independence Day Award]]
[[Category:20th-century Bangladeshi painters]]
[[Category:20th-century Bangladeshi male artists]]
[[Category:21st-century Bangladeshi painters]]
[[Category:21st-century Bangladeshi male artists]]
[[Category:Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Burials at Banani Graveyard]]
[[Category:21st-century Bengalis]]
[[Category:20th-century Bengalis]]

Murtaja Baseer - Revision history

Bot: robot: Create/upgrade articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.

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