The most popular artist in Chittagong Hill Tracts is Mr. Rati Kanta Tanchangya. He is the son of Shikol Chand Tanchangya and a grandson of the richest man named Mr. Nikunja in Tanchangya community, born on 23rd of month Jesta in 1347 Bengali Year (June 6,1941) at the bank of Rainkyong, Boradam village under the sub-district of Bilaichhury, Rangamati, Bangladesh. He is father of three sons namely, Dibyendo Tanchangya, Anupom Tanchangya, and Dipankar Tanchangya. During his service he worked in the department of agricultural expansion.
Recognition
Due to his dedicated service at Fine Art, he was awarded as Great Artist from the President of Bangladesh Ziaur Rahman on 1st January, 1981. Moreover, according to the examination of Bangladesh board, he has passed the examinations Sutta, Vinaya, and Abhidhamma. In 1978 he received the title of Visvakarma from Venerable Sadhanananda (Vana Bhante). He is also recognized as a song composer of Bangladesh Radio Station in Rangamati in Tanchangya, Chakma and Bengali. In 1990 through Raja Devashis Rai, he was awarded as Artist and Writer in Gauhati, India.
Contribution and Responsibilities
Ratikanta Tanchangya introduces himself not as an artist rather as an art admirer. In 1979, he solely established the Charukola Akaedmy (Fine Art Academy), first academy in Chittagong Hill Tracts. This is the first Fine Art Academy in three Hill Districts that has established without any support from government. He has been supervising Rangamati Charukala Academy (Academy of Fine Arts) since 1979. Although in Chittagong Hill Tracts there were Jumma artists, practiced art before him but he was the first person who took an initiative of teaching art to Jumma children. He not only practiced art but also had a vision of making like minded people in Jumma community. His success was indicated by many national and international prizes won by his students, while they were learning and practising art at his institute. His institution is not only changing and forwarding Jumma society, introducing art to Jumma culture but also bringing international fame for the country. Besides his artist passion, he is also a prolific writer and a regular columnist on Tanchangya history and culture in Bengali newspaper.
On the one hand Mr. Ratikanta is an artist, on the other he is a song writer and poet. In 2007 during the caretaker government of Fakhruddin Ahmed, he chaired a neutral person, member of Rangamati District Council. He is currently acting as the Chief and Principal of the Fine Arts Academy (Charu Kola Akademy) in Rangamati.
A writer being Artist
While painting arts, he also writes books. Every one of his books is well-acclaimed and informative. His published books in Bengali are:
- Painting (চিত্রা) ( a book on fine art)- 1986.
- An Introduction to Tanchangya (original manuscript)- 1995.
- Tanchangya Tribe-2000
- Song Book (গীত পোই) in Tanchangya, Chakma and Bengali- 2008.
- Fine Art Practice- 2011
- Autobiography- 2012
- An Illuminated Tanchangya Buddhist Monk-2018.
He keeps writing time to time until now. He is not only a great person to Tanchangya tribe, but for the whole Chittagong Hill Tracts. His contributions towards Tanchangya tribe and the whole indigenous communities worth to be acknowledge.
Tongchangya World 