Ashru Archive marked the beginning of its public engagement through a landmark inaugural exhibition, held at its own premises on 6 March 2017. This exhibition represented the Archive’s first major public program and set the tone for its ongoing commitment to preserving and presenting diverse cultural expressions.

The exhibition was formally inaugurated by artist Rashida Begum Ranu, the elder sister of Sahida Musa Ashru, lending a deeply personal and symbolic significance to the occasion.

The exhibition brought together a wide spectrum of artistic practices, reflecting both traditional and contemporary forms. Displayed works included a diverse range of objects—from various types of masks and traditional patachitra to cinema banner paintings and rickshaw art—demonstrating the richness and plurality of visual culture in the region. Alongside these, works by prominent contemporary artists such as Kazi Hassan Habib and Hamiduzzaman Khan were also featured, creating a dialogue between folk traditions and modern artistic expressions.

In addition to artworks, the exhibition presented a curated collection of rare photographs documenting artistic practices in the Kushtia region. Notably, it included exclusive visual materials capturing the life and work of Sahida Musa Ashru, offering visitors an intimate insight into her personal and creative journey.

Through this inaugural exhibition, Ashru Archive established itself as a vital platform for the preservation, interpretation, and public presentation of regional art and cultural heritage.