Celebrated artist Kanak Chanpa Chakma has long worked on ethnic themes. Her works invariably feature indigenous people and their daily lives. She is keenly inspired by the vivid colours of indigenous attire, the hills, forests, 'jhum' cultivation, pristine blue waterfalls, dance and music; in other words, anything that defines life in the hilly areas of Bangladesh. The semi-realistic and the abstract mingle in her works. The figures in her paintings are lively and easily communicate with the viewer with their expressiveness.

The artist gave The Daily Star a peek into what is an overriding passion for her:

“As a freelance artist, I like to do paintings regularly. When painting, there is a link between my mind and my hands, and my hands and the brushes, and brushes and the canvas, and I paint whatever my mind tells me.”

Rarely are all members of a family involved in artistic endeavours. The painter's family -- her husband artist-filmmaker Khalid Mahmood Mithu, son Arjo Shrestho and daughter Shiropa Purnais -- is a notable exception. They're all familiar names in our cultural arena.

The artist has half a dozen cats. Taking care of them “is a big part of my daily recreation,” she said.

Kanak said, “On weekends, we visit Comilla, Ashulia, Savar, Singair and areas near the capital. We used to go on Thursday night and return home on Saturday. I also do my shopping and other important chores on weekends.”

The artist has visited many countries in Europe, Asia and other continents for exhibitions, seminars and art carnivals, of which she picked Montmartre in Paris as her favourite. Kanak said, “Artists like Salvador Dali, Amedeo Modigliani, Claude Monet, Piet Mondrian, Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh had studios or worked around the community of Montmartre. The place is also the backdrop for several hit films.”

Kanak's travels have taken her to cities like Singapore, Kolkata, Bangkok and Tokyo as well. She said, “At first, I visit contemporary art galleries to study about current art trends in these countries. I also pick up art related books, colour tubes, canvas, paper, brush, pencil and more.” CDs of classical and instrumental music are another must have for the artist.

Kanak likes to take in cultural programmes on weekends. She said “On weekends, several solo or group exhibitions are frequently inaugurated in the city. I always try to attend the inaugurations of the exhibitions by both promising and prominent painters. I also enjoy musical soirees in the city.”