SAARC countries are united by a common thread of rich cultural legacy, with works of art, poetry, and performing arts creating an union of minds in the region, President Pranab Mukherjee said here on Saturday.Culture forms an invisible yet powerful force in uniting the sub-continental countries, he said while delivering the inaugural address at an exhibition of recent paintings titled "Shanti" by renowned Bangladesh artist Shahabuddin Ahmed.Lauding Ahmed, Mukherjee said his canvases reflect in various forms the spirit of unity and the common legacy of a rich cultural heritage that is the cementing factor of the South Asian countries.
At the same time, he said an artist's mind cannot be kept within the narrow confines of territorial limitations, language groups or any distinct cultural group."Rather, an artist belongs to the entire universe."The president regretted that it is the curse of modern times that people do not have enough time and patience to reflect upon an artist's works and hence, justice is not done to his creativity.Ahmed fought in Bangladesh Liberation War during 1971 and had even designed the national flag of Bangladesh.He presented the president with a portrait of Mukherjee created by him.