Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter today called for ensuring the dignity of the artistes living in villages and towns to protect art.

"To protect art, artistes must be given dignity. And the dignity of art will come through the dignity of the artistes. I urge all concerned to ensure dignities of many artists living in villages and towns. They should not face any discrimination in the field of art," she said.

The adviser made the comments at the second solo exhibition of self-taught artist Najma Kabir at the Safiuddin Gallery in city's Dhanmondi as the chief guest.

Urging the artists to portray the sorrows and difficulties of the haor areas through paintings, the adviser said, "When we look at the haors, we see beautiful scenes, but we do not see the cry which remains behind."

Founder of Focus Bangladesh and President of the International Watercolor Society Md Kawsar Hossain and artist Rezaun Nabi were present as special guests on the occasion, among others.