"Tini" The Architect | A film by Enamul Karim Nirjhar | True Story of architect life

Synopsis – TINI (The Architect)


Muzharul Islam, the pioneer architect with an intense creative genius and astute sensitivity, love for the soil, and conviction for the profession, initiated modern architecture in Bangladesh. Besides he was also instrumental in bringing many world-class architects to work in Bangladesh, which have inspired generations of architects in this country of green and water. He did it against all adversaries- a lonely crusader fighting to establish things that he lived for, things that he thought would bring joy and utility to people around him.

Many of the positive things wouldn’t have happened in the architecture of Bangladesh if the ‘Master Architect’ Muzharul Islam was not there.

He was ahead of his time, foreseeing future, and dreaming about his surrounding, his neighbourhood, his city, and his country. Muzharul Islam was a patriot every inch. He wanted to design the whole country following a socio-culturally justified master plan, and make it beautiful, functional and affordable to all citizens. In late years, his socialistic views and political affiliation prevented him from wining many commissions in an independent country.

As one narrator said in the film, ‘Muzharul Islam is rather a tragic character.’ He did not realise what he dreamt and what he stood for. Sometimes eccentric, more often uncompromising, but always a fatherly and kind guide, meeting him was having a glimpse of an aura of wisdom and honesty that he was.

Beautiful creations over a period of five decades by ‘The Architect’ Muzharul Islam inspired not only the contemporary architects in the country, but will continue to do so for the decades to come. Simplicity and honesty were the forte of his works. Love for the land and the inhabitants on it was his motto. Integration of beauty and sensuousness, geometry and function, form and space was his ultimate aim.

This documentary, produced by the Institute of Architects Bangladesh, endeavours to bring forth the life, work and vision of this Master Architect that commenced in the 1920s in undivided India. In doing so the docu-movie undertakes a journey and scrutinises some of the milestone architecture of Bangladesh, through the eyes of a filmmaker who himself is a new generation architect. This was aptly supplemented by comments from several local and international personalities and critics.

What we see in 48 minutes of celluloid is no less dramatic, accentuated by a play of light and shade, subtle music, mystifying walk through, and above all the passion and love, inspiration and philosophy, conviction and personality, strength and life of an architect.

#Tini #Muzharul_Islam