Introduction: A Legacy of Excellence and a Path Less Traveled

Growing up in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, near the serene Brahmaputra River, I was surrounded by a family legacy of academic excellence. My father, mother, and grandfather were all highly educated, and many of my siblings and cousins pursued prestigious careers in medicine, engineering, and the military. It was expected that I would follow a similar path. Yet, from a young age, I felt an undeniable pull toward art—a passion that would define my life’s journey.

Despite societal norms and family pressures, I made the bold decision to switch from a Bachelor of Business Administration program to fine arts, becoming the first in my family to specialize in fine arts at the postgraduate level. This decision was not just a personal choice but a statement: fine artists are vital to shaping society, and I am proud to champion this cause.

Early Inspiration

In 2001, my mother recognized my natural talent for drawing and enrolled me in the Zainul Abedin Art Gallery School. Teachers often said I could one day follow in the footsteps of Zainul Abedin, the Father of Fine Arts in Bangladesh. Intrigued, I delved into his works, mesmerized by his depictions of rural life, feminine grace, and human resilience. His famine series, filled with raw emotion, and his celebration of cultural heritage deeply inspired me, igniting my passion for storytelling through art. 

Around this time, I was captivated by the puppet show Moner Kotha by Mostafa Monowar on BTV. His magical retelling of folklore through vibrant characters and emotional narratives opened my imagination to new realms. Together, Zainul’s masterpieces and Monowar’s artistry nurtured my young soul, showing me how art preserves culture and breathes life into stories.

I thrived in art school, securing the top position for three years, but societal expectations led my family to withdraw me. Heartbroken, I stopped painting but couldn’t let go of art entirely. I began drawing secretly—in schoolbooks, notebooks, and even on walls. Many of these drawings were discarded, torn, or lost, but my passion endured.

One vivid memory from my school years still inspires me. I had drawn a portrait of a teacher in my textbook during class. When a classmate reported this to the head teacher, I was summoned for judgment. To my surprise, the head teacher was so impressed by the drawing that he praised my talent and prayed that I would one day become a great artist. That moment reinforced my belief in my abilities and strengthened my resolve to pursue art.

Rediscovering Purpose: A Journey of Resilience and Renewal

In 2011, I reignited my passion for art by enrolling in a Bachelor of Fine Arts program. This decision marked the beginning of a transformative journey, where I rediscovered my purpose and commitment to art. Today, I am driven by a vision to transform Bangladesh’s fine arts and CG landscape. My goal is to provide underprivileged students with access to fine art and CG skills, preserve Bengal’s heritage through digital art, and position Bangladesh as a key player in the multibillion-dollar creative industry.

Bangladesh’s Untapped Potential: A Nation of Creativity and Resilience

Bangladesh is a nation of immense cultural richness, diverse geography, and a history steeped in resilience and creativity. Its lush green landscapes, dynamic urban centers, and iconic landmarks—from the Sundarbans mangrove forest to the ancient ruins of Mahasthangarh—serve as a canvas for storytelling and creative exploration. This vibrant heritage is further enriched by centuries of influence from South Asian kingdoms, Islamic traditions, British colonial history, and indigenous tribal cultures, creating a tapestry of folk art, classical music, and tribal traditions that remain largely untapped in global media.

Despite this creative potential, Bangladesh faces significant socioeconomic challenges. As of 2023, the country reported over 2.59 million unemployed individuals, even though 14% of its population holds tertiary-level education. The gap between educational achievement and employment highlights the urgent need for industry-driven skill development programs. Moreover, Bangladesh has one of the world’s youngest populations, with 47% under the age of 25, a demographic primed for innovation and growth if provided with the right opportunities.

The global gaming and entertainment market, valued at over $347 billion in 2023, offers a promising avenue for economic growth. Bangladesh, with its burgeoning digital landscape, is well-positioned to seize this opportunity. Internet penetration has surged to 38.9%, and mobile connectivity has skyrocketed, with over 7.82 million mobile connections nationwide. This digital infrastructure provides a solid foundation for building a competitive creative technology sector.

Bridging the Gap: Transforming Fine Arts into Digital Innovation

The absence of higher education programs in 3D animation or game design in Bangladesh compelled me to pursue traditional fine arts while fostering a vision to bridge this gap. For my MFA dissertation, I conducted extensive research across 16 universities to identify critical challenges faced by fine arts students transitioning to digital media. These challenges included limited technical expertise, inadequate resources, insufficient English proficiency, and a lack of market awareness. To address these issues, I authored two Bengali-language books on computer graphics pipelines, empowering students with accessible resources.

Collaborating with Mr. Edward Kim, former Managing Director of LG Electronics Bangladesh, I spearheaded a project to explore pathways for transforming fine arts graduates into a skilled workforce, positioning Bangladesh as a potential CG outsourcing hub. My volunteer work as an instructor at universities and with the government’s Learning & Earning Development Project has further equipped me to tackle grassroots challenges, driving initiatives that merge traditional fine arts with digital innovation to elevate Bangladesh on the global stage in CG technology and gaming.

Founding My CG Studio: Lessons and Growth

When I founded my CG studio in 2017, I believed that self-taught learning and teamwork would be enough to succeed. However, working on commercial projects for local and international clients soon revealed the need for deeper technical expertise to navigate the complexities of game design and CGI pipelines. Despite their talent, I also noticed that many fine arts students struggled to secure employment due to a lack of technical skills, leaving them unprepared for opportunities in the global outsourcing market.

To address this gap, I organized free workshops across 16 institutions over seven years, training over 500 individuals, including fine art students and underprivileged youth, in graphic design and computer graphics. These efforts empowered participants to secure meaningful jobs, transforming their lives and underscoring the importance of bridging traditional art with modern industry demands.

This journey also exposed gaps in my own expertise, particularly in advanced CGI workflows, procedural modelling, and emerging technologies like VR, AR, 3D printing, and motion capture technologies. Recognizing these limitations, I aim to pursue further academic training to push my skills into new frontiers. My vision is to establish a cutting-edge CG studio and research centre, advancing creative storytelling and game development through interdisciplinary innovation.

A Vision for the Future: Empowering the Next Generation

Building on my practical experience, my MFA research involved surveying and interviewing students across 16 universities to identify barriers such as limited resources, inadequate training, and language inaccessibility. To address these issues, I authored two Bengali-language books on computer graphics pipelines, making technical knowledge more accessible to aspiring digital artists.

My goal is to drive innovation at the intersection of art, technology, and education—elevating Bangladesh’s creative industries, fostering global appreciation for its cultural heritage, and empowering underrepresented communities to thrive in the digital age. I aim to gain experience with global CG studios and academic institutions, honing my expertise and developing a global perspective. This exposure will enable me to bridge Bangladesh’s creative industry with international innovators, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.

My ultimate vision is to establish a world-class CG studio and research lab in Bangladesh, dedicated to digital storytelling, cultural preservation, and immersive education. Bangladesh’s higher education system lacks advanced programs in fine arts, computer graphics, and emerging media, compelling me to pursue a 2nd Masters or a PhD as a transformative step toward integrating traditional artistic practices with cutting-edge technology. This integration will empower me to explore emerging creative innovations and tackle global challenges.

Inspired by Visionaries: A Broader Perspective

My vision is shaped by the groundbreaking work of visionaries like Dr. Muhammad Yunus, whose "Three Zeros" concept—zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero carbon emissions—provides a powerful framework for sustainable development. His commitment to empowering the underprivileged aligns with my mission to equip disadvantaged students with fine art and CG skills, transforming their lives while contributing to Bangladesh’s creative and economic landscape.

Recently, Dr. Muhammad Yunus and Elon Musk discussed the transformative potential of Starlink satellite internet for Bangladesh, emphasizing how high-speed, low-cost connectivity could bridge the digital divide and empower youth, women, and rural communities. This initiative has the potential to unlock global opportunities for millions, but its impact depends on equipping our workforce with the right skills to compete in the digital economy. By integrating advanced technology with targeted skill development, we can position Bangladesh as a global hub for innovation and creativity, paving the way for a more inclusive and prosperous future.

The "Zero Olympiad", spearheaded by Fatiha Aayat, a global activist and climate change campaigner from Bangladesh, is another inspiring initiative. It challenges young minds to develop innovative solutions to global crises such as hunger, poverty, and carbon emissions. This deeply resonates with my vision of leveraging digital art and gaming to address critical issues, empower communities, and drive meaningful change. By merging technology, creativity, and social impact, we can foster a new generation of problem solvers committed to building a more sustainable world

A Call to Action: Shaping the Future of Art and Technology

The July-August 2024 student movement in Bangladesh, marked by the loss of 1,581 lives, over 10,000 arrests, and injuries to 31,000 individuals, profoundly shaped my sense of purpose. This extraordinary demand for economic justice, educational reform, and sustainable development underscores the urgency for transformative action. Inspired by visionaries like Zainul Abedin, the "Father of Fine Arts in Bangladesh," whose art captured the essence of societal struggles, and Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, whose "Three Zeros" vision—zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero carbon emissions—offers a model for sustainable growth.

 I see digital art as a potent medium for empowerment, awareness, and cultural preservation. I recognize that achieving this vision requires rigorous research, critical analysis, and technical expertise. I aim to grow as an artist, scholar, and practitioner, positioning myself as a leader capable of driving meaningful, sustainable change in Bangladesh’s fine arts and digital industries. My academic and artistic pursuits will also serve as the cornerstone for a movement that will propel Bangladesh into a new era of innovation, social reform, and creative leadership.

My primary objective is to equip traditional fine arts students with the essential skills to excel in game art and emerging media, providing affordable access to high-quality content creation tools for the global market. By fostering new job opportunities within the gaming industry and raising awareness of its potential among the fine arts community, I aim to bridge the gap between traditional artistic talent and the technical demands of the digital world. Additionally, I plan to develop master trainers in game and digital art, enabling the dissemination of these skills at the grassroots level.

Bangladesh has already established itself in industries such as software and ready-made garments, and I believe that with focused skill development, our traditional fine artists can achieve similar success in game art and design. My goal is to position Bangladesh as a key player in the multibillion-dollar gaming industry by empowering my peers with the resources and knowledge necessary to thrive in this rapidly growing field.

My long-term goal is to become a highly skilled CG artist, dedicated educator, and researcher, leveraging the intersection of art, culture, and technology to drive societal progress. I am committed to fostering local talent by forming collaborative teams and partnering with Bangladeshi studios to innovate and elevate the creative industry. By providing international opportunities, preserving traditional art forms, and promoting them through digital platforms, I hope to ensure Bangladesh’s rich cultural heritage receives the global recognition it deserves. This vision is not just about creating art—it’s about empowering communities, preserving identity, and inspiring future generations.

To achieve this, I plan to collaborate with institutions, policymakers, and industry leaders to reform arts education in Bangladesh. My focus will be on merging classical artistic techniques with advanced digital practices, creating a curriculum that equips students with the skills needed to excel in the global creative economy. I aim to mentor emerging artists and educators, building a professional network capable of driving innovation and setting international standards. By nurturing a self-sustaining creative ecosystem rooted in cultural identity, I hope to propel Bangladesh’s digital arts sector to new heights, transforming it into a hub of creativity, innovation, and global influence.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Resilience and Vision

My journey from the shadows of societal expectations to the light of artistic fulfillment has been one of resilience, loss, and purpose. Through every challenge, I have remained committed to my vision: to transform Bangladesh’s creative landscape and inspire future generations of artists. By bridging the gap between traditional art and modern technology, I hope to create a legacy that endures long after I am gone—a legacy of respect, purpose, and contribution to the world of art and culture.