1 | P a g e

INTRODUCTION

Artist Nitun Kundu, was not merely a visual artist but also an exceptional character in the society

of artists. We saw in him a combination of artist, engineer, architect and a patriotic soul. There is

only one Nitun Kundu who, we are sure, shall be remembered for his invaluable, unique works.

Nitun Kundu proved his brilliance when he was a student of the Art College. He was appreciated

by his teachers as his works were widely discussed on the campus. He was adjudged the best

student at the end of his college life — an accomplishment which showed the foundation of his

learning and dedication to work.

He was the embodiment of a talent who rose from a humble background, coming from Dinajpur,

almost as an unemployed youth. He became a disciple of Subhash Dutta (subsequently a famous

cinema director) and learned how to paint banners for movies. In Dhaka, that was Nitun Kundu‘s

livelihood as he struggled to continue his studies. He stood first class first in the final

examinations. He wanted to become a teacher but could not fulfill his dream due to communal

attitude of the erstwhile Pakistan government. At that time, a lot of professionals migrated to

India on communal grounds but Nitun Kundu declined to do so. He said to his friends: ―I will

stay here and see what happens.‖

In fact, he established himself as a creative entrepreneur. Today, Nitun Kundu is well known for

his accomplishments, and his institution, Otobi, is a household name in brand furniture.

Still, the path of success was not a smooth one. Artist Nitun Kundu earned a reputation for

painting, drawing and illustration. His works bore marks of his creative distinction. He was the

pioneer in developing quality designs on crests and trophies, which is a thriving business

nowadays. The trophies and crests of official awards of the government bear the aesthetic sense

of Nitun Kundu.

2 | P a g e

METHODOLOGY

Data Collection Method-

The study is the outcome of mainly secondary data which were collected from-

1. Several reliable reports, journals and annual publications.

2. Wikipedia, many local & international magazines.

3. Some data collected from previously done research papers and study work by

scholars.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

Our main objective is to get inspiration to be an entrepreneur in future after knowing the

successful history of a prominent entrepreneur.

The secondary objective is to

- Enrich our knowledge about the most successful entrepreneur of our country.

- To know about the organizations he initiated.

- To know the ideologies of a successful entrepreneur.

3 | P a g e

Nitya Gopal Kundu (Nitun Kundu)

He started business on a small workshop in a tin-shed at Topkhana Road in February 1977 and

named it ―Art in Craft‖. After 35 year it stands to OTOBI and controls about 80% of the

country's branded furniture market.

The true spirit of creativity and

leadership never dies. Nitun

Kundu's story was of one man's

interminable desire to be the best of

who he was and contribute via

means of what he truly loved

sculpting and painting.

Nitun Kundu's versatility as a

creative individual can be seen in

his works placed in various parts of

the capital and the country. His

vision of a Bangladesh that knows

no bounds can be felt in all that he

created. His work as an artist,

sculptor and a successful

entrepreneur has been substantial.

For Nitun Kundu triumph was

inevitable that is what he had

nurtured during his life and instilled

in those around him.

During Bangladesh's struggle to

become a sovereign nation in 1971,

Mr. Kundu's involvement in the

liberation war took the form of

posters, banners and slogans

encouraging our fighters to free

Bangladesh from the clutches of

Pakistan. He was also well known

for his furniture designs, pioneering

the use of integrating wood with

metal in Bangladesh.

4 | P a g e

Nitun Kundu (full name: Nitya

Gopal Kundu) born in December 3,

1935 was a Bangladeshi artist,

sculptor and entrepreneur, who was

known for bringing new trends in

abstract and realistic art to the

Bangladeshi arts scene.

He was not only a famous artist but

also a dynamic designer, ardent

painter, freedom fighter as well as a

successful entrepreneur. By born he

was creative minded and in this

consequence, after completing his

school matriculation, he get admitted

Fine Arts Institute of Dhaka

University in the department of

painting. The diligent and dedicated

Kundu passed a measurable time in

his student life, so his professors

loved him and excused him to take

leave to earn extra money by painting

movie posters.

Nitun Kundu was born in a lower

middle class family at

Barobandar, Dinajpur.

He was the fourth among seven

children. His parents were

Gnanendranath Kundu and

Binapani Kundu. He was married

to Phalguni Kundu and had a

daughter Amity and son

Animesh.

The young Kundu never

lamented on his financial situation; rather became

determined to do something

creative through the inspiration of Zainul Abedin, Quamrul

Hassan and Abonindo Thakur.

5 | P a g e

He was a widely respected cultural figure, businessman and hero of the Bangladesh Liberation

War for his artistic contributions, and received a State funeral that was attended by a cross-

section of civil society and government.

Kundu graduated from Dhaka Art College (now the Institute of Fine Arts) in 1959, topping the

entire class that year. In the years leading up to 1971, he worked at the USIS in Dhaka. He

wished to join as a faculty member of Fine Arts Institute but he took up the position of Chief

Designer for cultural activities in the United States Information Service (USIS).

During the Bangladesh Liberation War, Kundu worked with the celebrated artist Quamrul

Hassan at the public relations department of the Bangladesh Government-in-Exile at Mujibnagar.

In collaboration with Hassan and a group of highly talented artists namely Debdas Chakraborty,

Nasir Biswas, Pranesh Mandal and Biren Shome; Kundu worked on numerous posters and works

of art aimed at arousing the newly formed Mukti Bahini liberation army and also raising

awareness of the genocide being unleashed by the Pakistan Army on the people of Bangladesh.

It was during this period he designed two posters which became among the most recognized

works of art produced during the war. The first was a call to arms at a stage when the Mukti

Bahini was still desperately seeking volunteers to join its ranks. Sada Jagrata Banglar Mukti

Bahini. The second has become a rallying cry for progressive activists all over Bangladesh right

through to today, particularly in face of rising communal tensions: Banglar Hindu, Banglar

Bouddha, Banglar Christian, Banglar Musalman; Amra Sabai Bangali.

The Liberation War was the inspiration for Kundu's most famous work, the sculpture Shabash

Bangladesh, a tribute to the fallen freedom fighters of the Mukti Bahini. This is the largest

sculpture in Bangladesh and is situated on the campus of Rajshahi University.

SAARC Foundation at Karwanbazar

His famous works are –

Sada Jagrata Banglar

Muktibahini (poster)

Amra Sabai Bangali

(poster)

Banglar Bir Muktijoddha

(poster)

SAARC Fountain at

Karwan Bazar, Dhaka

Fountain, Dhaka High

Court, Dhaka

6 | P a g e

Sampan, Shah Amanat International Airport, Chittagong

Kadam Fountain, National Press Club, Dhaka

Shabash Bangladesh (sculpture at Rajshahi University)

Kundu was well known among his friends and family members for being a perfectionist and also

working for hours at a stretch. ―He was always drawing or painting or coming up with new

designs,‖ says Amity. He would stay up for several nights together to complete his designs and

paintings. In spite of being the chairperson of a huge establishment, Kundu would spend plenty

of time in his world of art and colour. ―My father's management team was built in such a manner

that it would sometimes run for days without him coming to office,‖ says Amity. ―For instance,

while constructing 'Shabash Bangladesh', at one point he spent nights literally under the sky

trying to perfect his creation. In between all that, he would keep in touch with his team in Dhaka

and work over the phone.‖

7 | P a g e

Nitun Kundu The Furniture pioneer

From a small investment of Tk. 5,000 and a studio workshop in Shukrabad in 1975 to one

of the largest successful furniture manufacturers and retailers, Otobi is a 36 year old

testament to Mr. Kundu's pure genius and ardour.

Combining his knack for creativity and futuristic outlook Nitun Kundu paved a path for

Otobi from its inception, which is still being followed continuously exploring, innovating

and striving to be the very best. His courage and talent taught everyone at Otobi to

foresee the future while growing in the present.

In the 1975, following a brief stint at Bitopi advertising agency, Nitun Kundu established

his own company, a furniture store featuring his own designs, OTOBI. Within a relatively

short period, OTOBI became the most prominent Bangladeshi furniture brand,

emphasizing the new nation's pride in its refund cultural identity after independence.

OTOBI quickly grew to become one of Bangladesh's top exported brands, with sales

primarily to India and the South East Asian countries.

It is said that Otobi was as much his child as his children, Amity and Animesh.

Interestingly, all of them have the first alphabet of Bangla language as the initial letter of

their respective names.

Introduction on OTOBI

Born in 1935 at Dinajpur, From humble beginnings in the corporate furniture realm to the

spectacular escalation into the lifestyle giant that it is now, OTOBI's story of success

spans merely 35 years. Providing holistic space solutions catering to all spheres of daily

life, OTOBI is well on its way to rising to the ranks of Asia's top three brands by 2020.

With creative reinvention pulsating through the entire organization, OTOBI has set out to

revolutionize the entire retail scenario starting off with Bangladesh.

In 1974 he conceived the idea of embarking into commercial venture and started

manufacturing decorative items at his residence and later at Shukrabad, in addition to

normal activities of painting and sculpture. The name of this mini workshop was ―The

Designers‖, employing only 4 persons.

A recipient of National Award for painting in 1965 and Bangabandhu Award in 1992,

Mr. Nitun Kundu set up a small workshop in a tin-shed at Topkhana Road in February

1977 and named it ―Art in Craft‖. Here, in addition to coat pin, cup, crest, trophy etc. he

started manufacturing decorative items, table lamp, and various types of metal furniture.

In 1978 he opened a show room at 230, New Elephant Road, Dhaka and gradually started

marketing all kinds of metal furniture in a professional manner.

8 | P a g e

Mr. Nitun Kundu gradually

engaged a lot of Industrial,

Designers and Engineers.

Special efforts were made to

build up a core team of

highly skilled craftsmen. All

kinds of metal furniture

were being manufactured at

Mirpur Factory and

marketed through the Show

room at Elephant Road by

1988. Because of its

superior quality, OTOBI

products continued to gain

popularity. Mr. Nitun

Kundu developed a wide

range of furniture for office,

hospitals, residence and

slowly created a much wider

popularity for OTOBI

products.

Having widely travelled

all over the East and the

West, Mr. Nitun Kundu

gained sufficient

confidence and experience

by 1984, when he started

commercial production

under the name and brand

OTOBI. A great deal of

emphasis was given to

meet the need of

customers and OTOBI

products started gaining

popularity.

9 | P a g e

Following training by

AOTS in Japan, Mr. Nitun

Kundu improved the

quality of OTOBI

products as well as sales

as marketing methods so

successfully that by 1993

he constructed a four

storied building at

Dilkusha C/A and opened

a display Centre there.

OTOBI, Dilkhusha

The market demand for OTOBI

products continued to rise and

company felt the need for expanding

its production capacities. Therefore,

Mr. Nitun Kundu set up another

factory at Shyampur, Dhaka,

covering land space of 64000 sq. ft.,

which went into experimental

production in November 1994. The

factory is now fully operational with

latest machinery to manufacture a

wide range of most sophisticated

furniture so that OTOBI can

compete in the international market.

The factory has now expanded to

3, 00,000 sq. ft.

10 | P a g e

Due to the user preference of wooden furniture, OTOBI decided to give a similar feel to

their customers and started to produce furniture from Laminated Board from May, 1999.

This wood particleboard has a wood like surface and can be designed to look exactly like

wooden furniture. These products of OTOBI achieved tremendous market acceptance and

later Mr. Nitun Kundu created it to be ‗Knock-down‘ format to save storage space and

give carrying convenience to customer.

The special feature of OTOBI products is that it takes extensive care to combine

functional utility with elegance, keeping in view the efficient use of floor space, OTOBI

is now equipped with the latest machines and technology to manufacture all kinds of

sophisticated metal furniture including hospital furniture and such other items.

Mr. Nitun Kundu felt the need for introducing professionalism in his company and

accordingly engaged highly qualified management talent to meet the functional need of

the present day challenges. OTOBI entered into the international market by exporting

chairs to Ukraine in 1994.

OTOBI is fully conscious of its obligation to the society as a corporate citizen and is

currently marking all possible efforts to play its role effectively. Embarking into

commercial venture and started manufacturing decorative items at his residence and later

at Shukrabad.

Visions and Mission

OTOBI‘s vision is to become a major global brand and its current mission is to dominate

Asia-Pacific by 2020.

Planning

OTOBI is committed to provide excellent service and to exceed the expectations of its

customers. It wants the customers to remember ―OTOBI‟ as a memorable experience.

OTOBI aims to fulfill the objectives of the Company's growth and to meet the

expectations of all its employees.

11 | P a g e

Awards

In their long journey, OTOBI has different kinds of awards from different activities.

These awards have given us spirit to go far away. The most well-known awards have

given like:

The most prominent award for OTOBI is the ISO certificate 9001:2000 certificate.

1. Enterprise of the Year .......... 2001

2. Several prize including first prize at DHAKA Export Fair

3. Prize on National Industrial Fair

Market segmentation

Identifying the consumers target is important because different consumers may have

different brand knowledge structures and thus different perception and preferences for the

brand. It may be difficult to be able to state which brand associations should be strongly

held favorable and unique. A number of considerations are important in defining and

segmenting the market and choosing target market segments. For OTOBI the target

market is huge starting from industrial organizations, medical organization, corporate and

individuals.

Market segmentation involves dividing the market into distinct groups of homogeneous

consumers who have similar needs and consumer behavior and thus require similar

marketing mixes.

For OTOBI the target market is the middle class to higher middle class as the produce

affordable furniture for living and commercial purposes.

12 | P a g e

Job Responsibility As we think that OTOBI is the customer oriented company so, we always give priority to our

customers. For giving the customer support we always try to provide our best to the clients. We

are providing several of products only for the customer‘s satisfaction. I am working here since

January 10th.From the beginning of my work I have to look after to the customer‘s desires. I can

divide my job responsibility into three parts. As I am working OTOBI as an Executive Retail

under the CRM (Customer Relationship Management) department, I have to do several activities

related with the customers. The three parts I have divided for my job responsibilities are:

1. Direct dealings with the customer

2. Making the daily report

3. Other Activities

Promotion The in-house Communication department at Otobi works around the clock to ensure that all of

Otobi's products, services and promotional campaigns receive due attention. Otobi maintains

innovative, year-round promotional excitement to attract its customers and is visually present in

print media, television and outdoor billboards. The promotion strategy has evolved over the

years, alongside the brand. In the past, Otobi employed straight forward, product-based adverts

in above-the-line channels. It has moved on to discount campaigns since, and has developed

further into thematic campaigns. A comparison of figures demonstrating Otobi's actual ad

spending in the past with figures representing the present will substantiate the evolution of

Otobi's media presence. In FY 2004-05, the company spent a total of Tk 24,458,000 on

advertising, while in the last fiscal year, FY 2008-2009, Otobi spent Tk 86,333,201. This drastic

increment in advertising expenses has a direct relationship with the increase in sales and traffic

flow in the showrooms. In terms of below-the-line advertising, Otobi is involved in a number of

activities including direct mails, leaflets, catalogues, scratch cards and coupons, PR activation for

showroom launches, B2B sales, and follow up of the product condition by the Otobi Customer

Care department. The Business Research department is also involved in BTL activities, by

13 | P a g e

easuring the level of customer satisfaction after sales. A recent campaign which received much

acclamation was the Metamorphosis TVC, which illustrates various types of transformations

taking place within a jungle. The campaign was launched in August 2009, and is being aired on

all Bangladeshi channels. Otobi depicted seven layers of meaning in this campaign: its outer

shell introduced solid wood furniture and its innermost shell appropriated an essence of

continuous reinvention. Within the lifestyle brand offering innovative and inspiring space

solutions. Otobi's range of furniture, furnishings and appliances are developed and marketed to

serve all ages and stages of homes, industries, institutions, hospitals and offices. Otobi

manufactures furniture from an assortment of materials, including laminated chip boards, wood,

MDF, sheet metal, tubes, plastic, cane and many more. Our wide range of furniture and fittings

are segmented category-wise and encompass areas such as bedrooms, children's rooms, dining

rooms, living rooms, study rooms, kitchens, hospitals, educational nstitutions, corporate offices,

industrial accents and deécors and retail stores among others. Otobi boasts an assortment of

about 1,100 generic stock keeping units, and a total of over 5,000 stock keeping units. The

company implements all possible global best practices in manufacturing supply chain

management and retailing, ensuring all products and services offered are of supreme quality. For

instance, Otobi's business research department conducts extensive surveys and interviews to

determine customers' responses to Otobi's endeavours, and this feedback is incorporated to

modify and diversify the existing intermediary shells, Otobi gathers inspiration from nature and

considers Otobian life as a garden or forest. Life goes on for travellers who gain motivation and

enlightenment from their journeys for their own metamorphosis. While advertising and

promotions are an integral part of the company's function, Otobi recognizes the role it can play in

furthering the development process in the country.

CSR policies

Otobi is committed to giving back to the society it operates in, with an emphasis on a triple

bottom line: people, planet, profit. The company has stepped forward to actively respond to the

needs of the public on numerous occasions, and CSR policies centre on aiding people in need,

victims of natural disasters, and supporting the development of meritorious students.

A few incidents where Otobi came to the fore without hesitation include:

A contribution worth Tk 5,00,000 as flood relief in 2007

A contribution worth Tk 5,00,000 for victims of Cyclone Sidr in 2008

A contribution worth Tk 9,66,238 to IBA in 2008

A contribution worth Tk 10,05,000 to Shahjalal University of Science and Technology in

Sylhet

A contribution worth Tk 1,26,000 to the Bangladesh Shishu Kishore Mela

A contribution worth Tk 10,00,000 to the Kidney Foundation

14 | P a g e

Otobi also sponsored the winners' cash prizes at the Meridian Channel i Khudey Gaanraaj in

2009. In addition to these, Otobi has launched a Go Green program under the leadership of

freedom fighter Mr Abdul Khalek. As Go Green Ambassador, Mr Khalek has taken charge of the

nationwide tree plantation program, starting with young students in the first phase, at various

schools product line and make it even more alluring to consumers. An additional interior

department has been established to assist offices with implementing complete interior solutions

to meet consumers' overall needs. Otobi is completely committed to the environment, and keeps

solid wood furniture as low as 5% of the complete product range. The boards used are imported

from quality board manufacturers who comply with environment-friendly policies.

Recent Development Otobi has undergone major changes under the new management. The organizational structure

has been modified to include Portfolio Management, Category Management and Visual

Merchandising departments, which sets Otobi apart from other companies. In 2008, Otobi's

unique Lal-Foring Istishan was launched to cater to the needs of the firm's young customers. In

terms of management technique, Otobi introduced the Balanced

Scorecard system which aligns the organization's strategic decisions to the work accomplished

by its employees. Otobi's first wood plant was established in 2008 as well, in addition to the

existing two factories, which is a significant achievement for the company. In 2009, a

breakthrough collection dubbed "the complete office solution" was inaugurated under the sub-

brand Notepad. A major achievement for Otobi this past year was the launch of the

groundbreaking Otobi website. The website had been inactive for a very long time and the

company refused to put up a website that was below the Otobi standard. The concept that was

eventually developed sets a benchmark in the field with its thematic, interactive and completely

distinct nature. In Sylhet and Bogra, aiming for a cleaner, greener Bangladesh.

Brand Values Embedded in day to day affairs is Otobi's aspiration to be a creative "we" organisation in every

sense of the term. It is with teamwork and togetherness that challenges are met and overcome.

Creation, perfection and dynamism are the core values of Otobi. Quality, durability, excellence

and neat craftsmanship are not what Otobi strives to achieve, but features eminent in each Otobi

design. The company maintains its belief of setting its own benchmark and breaking it time and

time again. Embodying continuous innovation, Otobi is now an inspirational brand in homes and

offices, which is explicitly expressed through its products and communication.

At the heart of all activities in the company lies an innate need to constantly surprise; not just the

consumers, but Otobians too! The company thrives on the unique "keep reinventing" proposition.

15 | P a g e

Flexible Manufacturing OTOBI manufacturers its furniture using state-of the-art technology, such as computerized

numerically controlled machines and solar kilns. OTOBI Limited is a leading crafted furniture

manufacturing company of Bangladesh introduced world class furniture through its five well

equipped production units in three Factories. Most of the machineries were sourced from China

and Germany with high flexibility of modification as required for their verities of design. OTOBI

is now the market leader in branded furniture, with almost 70% market share. Its product has also

entered into overseas market as a part of the expansion strategy. Overall business performance

trend of OTOBI Limited is good. 2 years back OTOBI launched Notepad

16 | P a g e

Employee Rewards

To motivate employees OTOBI follows some rewards and motivational factors. An example

provided below to illustrate their reward and motivational system towards the employees.

―OTOBI employs over 5,000 people, including over 200 graduate engineers and business

graduates (MBA, BBA). Every year, OTOBI takes 100 to 200 of its employees to a five star

hotel to exercise the 'One OTOBI, One World' belief system, where the Chief Executive Officer

and the junior-most Executives are equally treated. ―OTOBI also values its employees, and takes

their concerns into consideration with an annual Employee Satisfaction survey.

Other Important issues The company has stepped forward to actively respond to the needs of the public on numerous

occasions, and CSR policies center on aiding people in need, victims of natural disasters, and

supporting the development of meritorious students. A few incidents where OTOBI came to the

fore without hesitation include

A contribute worth TK. 5,00,000 as flood relief in 2007.

A contribute worth TK. 5,00,000 for victims of Cyclone SIDR in 2008.

A contribute worth TK. 9,66,238 to IBA in2008.

A contribute worth TK. 10,05,000 to Shahjalal University of science and technology.

A contribution worth Tk 1,26,000 to the Bangladesh Shishu Kishore Mela to constantly

surprise; not just the consumers, but their employees too.

Problems Although our furniture company plays a vital role for the economic development of our country.

But it is not totally free from the problems. There are so many problems in our furniture

company and in our furniture marketing. These problems hamper our furniture company to earn

more profit and its development. The major problems are given below: Inadequate supply of

production technology.

Lack of consultancy services.

Limited access to quality inputs.

Absence of skilled work force.

Limitations in local and international marketing strategy.

Problems in distributing the furniture products.

Shortage of raw materials.

Inadequate supply of production technology

Technology is an important factor for increasing the production. Technological skill can play a

very good role for increasing and developing the products. Better supply of technology can help

our furniture company to increase its production. But we can notice that our furniture company

cannot use the better technology for the improvement of the furniture products. This is really a

severe problem for our furniture co.

17 | P a g e

Lack of consultancy services

Consultancy services are very important for producing better quality furniture products. But the

lack of consultancy services hampers our furniture company to earn more profit. Term Paper on

Furniture Marketing in Bangladesh Limited access to quality inputs A better input helps to get

better output. But its limited access does not make any good result.

Absence of skilled workforce

Although our country is over populated but there is a shortage of skilled workforce in our

country. We can gain the best quality products from the skilled workforce. But unskilled

workforce are failed to produce better furniture products. Making furniture is a technical process.

So skilled workforce are required for Furniture Company. Limitations in local and international

marketing strategy the success of a company mostly depends on its marketing strategy.

Marketing strategy is very important for every type of business organization. But it‘s local and

international limitations are threatening for our furniture co. Problems in distributing the

furniture products our furniture company cannot distribute its product to the whole country

because there are so many problems they face.

Shortage of raw materials

Although our country has many trees. Our people cutting down these trees unreasonably. Our

furniture company cannot collect more raw materials for producing more furniture.

Present Market Situation During the early days of Otobi, a patron had visited Kundu and ordered 500 chairs. That was

when the saga of building his empire actually began. Now, with a factory in Shyampur, Otobi's

creations and designs have crossed the mark of excellence, constructing one new structure after

the other. Otobi controls about 80% of the country's branded furniture market at present. For the

last three years, Otobi has been achieving a double-digit growth with an average of over 20%

increase in year-onyear sales, despite the global economic downturn and great stagflation in FY

2007-08. In a market of over Tk 1,500 crores, the organised market is estimated to be close to Tk

500 crores. Otobi is marketing to and providing the price-sensitive customers with affordable

solutions through its masstige value proposition (prestige for the mass). Otobi considers itself to

be its most significant competitor, aiming to constantly break its own standards and raise the bar

even higher. Otobi serves its customers and consumers through a nationwide distribution

network, including over 400 retail outlets, exclusive dealers and franchises.

18 | P a g e

Exhibitions

Besides, before doing the business and in the time of his business Nitun Kundu hold some

exhibitions of his arts.

His exhibitions were as follows –

Solo Exhibition 1965: East Pakistan Art Council, Dhaka

1966: US Information Service, Dhaka

1967: US Information Service, Chittagong

1968: US Information Service, Rajshahi

2007: The Creative Mind, Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts, Dhaka

Group Exhibition (Home)

1957 : National Art Exhibition, Dhaka

1962 : German Cultural Centre, Dhaka

1962 : Ensemble Gallery, Dhaka

1963 : East Pakistan Painters Exhibition, Chittagong

1963 : Contemporary Painters, Dhaka

1964 : National Art Exhibition, Dhaka

1964 : Graphic Exhibition, Dhaka

1966 : Abstract Painting Exhibition, Dhaka

1969 : Nabanna Painting Exhibition, Dhaka

1970 : Kalbaishakhi Painting Exhibition, Dhaka

1973 : Silver Jubilee Exhibition, College of Arts and Crafts, Dhaka

1975-98 : National Art Exhibition, Dhaka

1976 : Life in Bangladesh Art Exhibition, Dhaka

1977 : 1st National Sculpture Exhibition, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka

1981-99 : Asian Art Biennale Exhibition, Dhaka

2000 : Sreejan Shomahar, Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts, Dhaka

2001 : Contemporary Art of Bangladesh,Cultural Centre, High Commission of India, Dhaka

Group Exhibition (Abroad)

1956 : East Pakistan Art Exhibition, Baghdad

1958 : Art Exhibition, Tokyo

1959 : Pakistan National Art Exhibition, Karachi

1962 : East Pakistan Painters Exhibition, Rawalpindi

1963 : East Pakistan Painters Exhibition, Lahore

1965 : Chicago Artists Exhibition, USA

1967 : Painters Exhibition, UK

1971 : Contemporary Art Exhibition of Bangladesh, Calcutta, Bombay and Delhi, India

1973 : Contemporary Art Exhibition of Bangladesh, Delhi, Bombay and Calcutta, India

1978 : 4th Triennial, Delhi, India

1979 : Art Exhibition, Tokyo

1980 : Asian Art Festival, Fukuoka, Japan

19 | P a g e

Prizes & Awards

He also achieved some prizes and awards for his work as well as for his furniture

business workshop, OTOBI.

His achieving prizes and awards were

1965: National Painting Award

1968: Gold Medal in Painting, Mobile Art Exhibition

1993: Bangladesh Charushilpi Sangsad Honour Award on the occasion of Shilpacharya Zainul

Abedin Birth Anniversary

1997: Ekushe Padak in the field of Culture (Highest Civilian Award in Bangladesh)

2001: Bangladesh Business Award (organised by DHL & The Daily Star) OTOBI

Conclusion

Today, Nitun Kundu is not here as he died in September 15, 2006. Yet his dedication and

resilience are reflected in all that he has left behind. The passion, ideals and fortitude with which

he started Otobi have, over the years, grown to become the ethos of this organisation and its

people. It is through today's Otobians that the spirit of Nitun Kundu lives on eternally. He

created something magnificent from virtually nothing, and never marked an end to how far his

creation can go, and now it is the honour and duty of those associated with Otobi to take it

further.

20 | P a g e

References

1. , (Shilpo uddokta, shilpi

Nitun Kundu ar nei, Postogola Smoshane Sheshkritto aaj, Daily Prothom Alo, September 16, 2006.

Online Sources

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otobi 2. https://www.facebook.com/search/more/?q=Nitun+Kundu&init=p

ublic 3. http://forum.daffodilvarsity.edu.bd/index.php?topic=10208.0 4. http://www.bangladeshinfo.com/history/nitun-kundu-december-3-

1935-september-15-2006/ 5. http://www.bengalfoundation.org/artist/nitun-kundu/ 6. http://archive.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/nitun-kundu-a-multi-

dimensional-personality/ 7. http://www.snnbd.com/newsdetails.php?cat_id=0.16&id=87 8. http://www.banglapedia.org/HT/K_0401.htm 9. http://ca.linkedin.com/pub/nitun-kundu/5b/b89/582 10. http://www.evi.com/q/biography_of_nitun_kundu