The OTOBI man's legacy

Farid Ahmed

bdnews24.com Writer

Dhaka, Sept 15 (bdnews24.com) - Imagination walks hand in hand with creativity. Hard work is necessary. Passion is what a creative person must have. All the qualities were found in a man who is none other than Nitun Kundu.

Nitun died from heart attack at Ibrahim Memorial Cardiac Centre in Dhaka early Friday. He was 71.

Nitun was a painter, a sculptor with superb craftsmanship and -- the founder of OTOBI, a mentor of lifestyle.

In 1935, Nitun was born in the northern district of Dinajpur and rose to popularity as a painter and sculptor earlier than other successful entrepreneurs in Bangladesh.

His creations "Shabash Bangladesh", a sculpture at University of Rajshahi, and "Saarc Fountain" near Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka are at the centre of his achievement as a sculptor.

The works are two magnificent pieces that attract visitors from home and abroad. He designed "Shampan" at Chittagong International Airport.

Born to a middle-class family as the fourth among seven children of Gyanendra Nath Kundu and Bina Pani Kundu, Nitun pioneered a new industry in Bangladesh with creativity, tireless efforts and commitment.

With the inspiration from his mother's strength and foresight, he set up three furniture factories producing necessary items for everyday life.

Nitun replaced the traditional style of living with a sophisticated, stylish and comfortable outlook. New designs and concepts made him the mentor of lifestyle.

He went to Maharaja Giriza Nath High School in Dinajpur as the first step in education and passed the matriculation exam with a first division in 1952 -- the year Bengalees shed blood for their language.

A brilliant student, he never became the second and graduated in 1959 from the Institute of Fine Arts in Dhaka with a first class and first position.

Nitun wanted to be a faculty member of the Institute of Fine Arts (the then Art College) to dedicate his time to painting and sculpture, but the institute did not allow him to do so.

Nitun moved on.

He set up his own studio to create new designs, products and machines. The studio became Bangladesh's largest and most modern furniture company.

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