One of the things that makes a nation proud is its history and tradition. The history of the war of liberation and freedom struggle is the pride of the Bengali nation. Numerous sculptures have been made across the country to inform and retain the history, sacrifices and contributions of the great liberation struggle of Bangladesh to the new generation. The liberation war of Bangladesh and the sculptures based on the liberation war are so closely related to each other.
*Sculpture:
Sculpture is a special kind of art. It is of course three-dimensional. That is, a sculpture must have the same length, width and height as a geometric cube. It can be in the form of any animal, creature, human or any other object. Sculptures are made of different materials like clay, stone, wood, surki, metal, concrete etc. Examples of sculptures are dolls, pottery, statues, masks etc.
*Sculpture and the War of Liberation:
The relationship of sculpture with the history of the Liberation War of Bangladesh is historical. Just as some of the sculptures of the pre-liberation war inspired the liberation war, the sculptures made in the post-liberation war to represent the liberation war also represent the liberation war. The sculptures centered on the liberation war have been constructed to cherish the memory of the bloody struggle of the liberation war and to spread the spirit of freedom to the next generation. Such memorable sculptures are scattered all over the country including the capital Dhaka. Even in different countries outside Bangladesh, there are such sculptures in Bengali inhabited areas.
*Background:
The foundation of the liberation war was laid through the language movement of '52. A martyr's minaret was immediately erected to commemorate the February 21 incident. This was the first sculpture made in the tone of the Bengali freedom movement. But the Pakistani government overthrew it. Later, the Shaheed Minar was built permanently, but at different times it came under attack from the invading forces. On the black night of March 25, 1971, the invading forces demolished the Shaheed Minar. This incident affected the liberation war. This incident deeply touched the hearts of the young Bengali community. The demolition of the Shaheed Minar is considered to be one of the influential factors behind the acceleration of the war of liberation.
*Attempts to retain the spirit of the Liberation War:
Maintaining the spirit of the Liberation War in Bangladesh and conveying its message to the next generation is the main purpose of sculpture. In addition, it also plays a role in the enhancement of beauty. Such sculptures are usually erected on various road islands, city entrances, important places of education, important places of national importance, historical and scenic places. Different stages and stages of the independence movement have been highlighted in these sculptures. So these sculptures are like a living history of the liberation struggle. These sculptures are becoming a real school of history and teaching everyone day after day. These sculptures are the most effective and fruitful means of presenting to the nation the liberation war and freedom struggle and the contribution of the heroic Bengali liberation army.
*Some of the main sculptures:
Numerous sculptures have been made all over the country including Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. There are no accurate statistics. The following is a description of some of the major sculptures:
1. Jagrata Chowrangi.
2. Aparajeya Bangla.
3. Shabash Bangladesh.
4. Vijay Ketan.
5. Shoparjito Shadhinota.
6. Shadhinota Sangram.
7. Mujibnagar Memorial.
8. National Memorial.
9. Shikha Anirban.
*Criticism:
There is a lot of criticism against the sculptures that have been made in the name of preserving the history of the liberation war. Islam is the religion of the majority of the people in Bangladesh. One class of people thinks that the construction of such sculptures does not support the basic principles of Islam. Also, the money required for the construction and maintenance of a sculpture is not less. Many see it as a waste. Many times these sculptures are neglected and neglected, it seems that it is more insulting than respecting the freedom fighters.
National hope, aspiration and history are expressed through art. One of the means of expressing the history, struggle and consciousness of the liberation war of Bangladesh is the sculptures centered on the liberation war of this country. These sculptures inspire the Bengalis to be patriotic by reminding them of the sacrifices and self-sacrifice of the great liberation struggle.