Dhaka, Bangladesh. December 28 2010 - Festival director Shahidul Alam speaks a pre-event press conference at Drik Gallery.The Chobi Mela VI - International Festival of Photography will be held from 21 January to 3 February, 2011 in Dhaka Bangladesh. Copy Right:Monirul Alam
South Asian bigest evnt of the Chobi MelaVI – International Festival of Photography will be held from 21 January to 3 February, 2011 in Dhaka Bangladesh and will present the work of creative artists participating from 30 countries. Please see all details . . .
A peacock mutates from a princely pet to a goddess blurring boundaries between reality and illusion reinventing the Panchatantra (Indian animal fables in prose and verse) for the 21st century. Festival theme photo from the "India Song" exhibition by Karen Knorr UK/Puerto Rico, Courtesy of Tasveer.Chobi Mela VI to Open a Portal to a Restive World of Dreams
“All that we value, that we strive to uphold, all that gives us strength, has been made of dreams”
Dhaka, Bangladesh. 28 December, 2010: The Chobi Mela VI – International Festival of Photography will be held from 21 January to 3 February, 2011 in Dhaka Bangladesh and will present the work of creative artists participating from 30 countries. The festival with its theme “Dreams” is designed to be a birthplace of ideas, and a crossover meeting point for many artists. It will open a portal to a mystical world of images showcasing new trends in photography and bringing to the fore issues of our troubled world.
The unique festival will be launched on the 21 January, 2011 at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Parallel exhibitions will be held at Alliance Francaise, The Asiatic Gallery of Fine Arts, The British Council, Drik Gallery, The Goethe-Institut and the Lichultala at Faculty of Fine Arts, Dhaka University. In congruence with the exhibitions there will be 8 workshops, 2 portfolio reviews and a week-long discussions, seminars and lectures at Goethe-Institut Auditorium that will initiate debates and discussions on issues central to contemporary photographic practice.
The main attraction on the 22 January at Goethe-Institut will be a video conference with Dr. Luis Moreno-Ocampo, Prosecutor, International Criminal Court. In this position, his mandate is to select and trigger investigations and prosecutions of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community, namely genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
The first Chobi Mela festival (Dec.1999-January 2000) was launched by Drik and Pathshala South Asian Media Academy to fill the need for a forum for sharing work and ideas, a platform for debate that was missing on this side of the globe. This inaugural festival focused on ‘Differences’ in the world we live in and in a sense was prophetic. The twin towers disaster followed and buried beneath the rubble the freedoms that the world has since lost. “In a world ravaged by war, to turn to ‘Dreams’ after ‘Differences’, ‘Exclusion’, ‘Resistance’, ‘Boundaries’ and ‘Freedom’ is to return to what holds us together in the face of all our obstacles, the focus of all our longings. In a vastly unequal world, it is our insistence on justice and our ability to ride the waves, which still keeps us dreaming,” says Shahidul Alam, Festival Director and Managing Director of Drik. “I dream that Chobi Mela will play a role in re-writing the history of photography, and correcting the extremely Eurocentric version of history that is currently propagated.”
Dhaka, Bangladesh. December 28 2010 - Photographer's and media persons attend at a pre-event press conference at Drik Gallery. Copy Right:Monirul Alam
Many bodies of work that went on to become well known were first shown in Chobi Mela. Considered to be the most demographically inclusive photo festival and the resulting pollination has led to many exciting exchanges, and given rise to several new festivals in the region for which Chobi Mela has been the catalyst.
Ensuring the general public’s access is an important part of the festival and admission for the festival is free. Mobile exhibitions on rickshaw vans are now a trademark of the Chobi Mela festivals. The festival provides an opportunity not only to enjoy the outstanding work of national and international photographers but also raises important social issues critical to our existence.
That winter night (24 Dec,2010) I was in office and doing my work. Suddenly I received a phone from Air Port area, one residents told me, that they saw a huge fire on the sky not to understood what is happening but they think maybe is plane crash or something is happened. Do you know what is happened ? I said him we look after the matter and informed you latter. . .
Yes, Somethings is happened fire service and our other sources said, A coil factory explotation in Khilkhet area of Dhaka city. I reached on the spot within half an hour and covered it . . .
Local people and fire fights jointly work and removed burn bodies from the factory. A devastating fire, followed by an explosion, in a mosquito coil factory in Dhaka, khilkhat has killed at least five workers.The fire erupted at Coil Factory at Namapara around 9:30pm and was followed by a loud explosion. Fire chief Abu Nayeem Mohammed Shahidullah told reporters at the scene that they had recovered five charreds bodies. Copy Right: Monirul Alam
Hole area is black out huge number of eager people rush on the area to observed the situation. The security person stand on the spot and firefighters all ready works. I saw one charred body lie-in on the road with a pice of cloth after that I enter the factory.
A groups of firefighter and local people work in the factory. Inside the room is more darker only firefighters work their own light and local people work their mobile lit, suddenly one people shout, “don’t go to the next step” ! I stooped and saw another charred bodies left in front of me. After that I am working more carefully.
I saw more than three cheered bodies on the factory and it is difficult to identify. The hole factory broken out huge number of burn spray cans left on the factory. Suddenly I wet by a firefighters water.
My news editor is just waiting for my news photos I left the area on the way to my office . . .
According to the news at least five workers were burnt alive and six others severely injured, in a coil ( anti-mosquito coil and spray warehouse) factory, as a fire broken out in Khilkhet Namapara area last night. The fire started around 9.30 pm and gutted the factory within half an hour. The injured person’s rush to admitted the Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Fire fighters, who reached the site and recovered five charred bodies form the spot. The dead could’t be identified immediately. One injured told reports the fire broken out when the workers were removing chemicals form date-expired cans using a machine.
On June 3, the National inferno claimed the lives of 123 people in the capital and afterwards the government took several measure to ensure that flammable chemical are not handle or stored in populated areas.
Update ( 27 Dec, 2010): Death toll from the fire at Khilkhet coil factory warehouse rose to eight. as another injured worker has died Iqbal Hossain, 26. Earlier, the victims who died in the blaze at the factory were identified as Anwar Hossain, 23, Russel, 17, Yousuf, 25, Tofazzal, 20, Aminur, 25, Almas, 25 and Jewel.
Many indigenous people who fled from their homes remained out in the open in deep forest after the army crackdown on the rebels. An eerie calm engulfed the areas after martial law was proclaimed on July 19, 1855. The Rajmahal hills were drenched with blood and all Santal villages were razed. The captured santals were made railway construction labour in chains. In 1856, the Santal leaders were captured and executed and the rebellion subsided.
We pay a tribute to the Santal martyrs who died a heroic death for the establishment of their rights. They fought with revolutionary zeal to flush out the intruders and their local agents. According to newspaper reports politicians and lawyers observed Santal revolution day on June 28, demanding constitutional recognition and separate land commission for the ethnic minorities.
The state must ensure establishment of the rights of the indigenous people. Bangladesh Adivasi Adhikar Andolon organised a day-long program in observance of the 155th anniversary of the Santal revolution. The program ended with a cultural function.
A small amount of blood with my hands and my camera from the flaggers. when I took picture of them who flagellating themselves with blades and beating their heads and chest intending to connect them with Imam Hussain’s (RA) sufferings during an Ashura mourning procession. They also loud lamentation,” Dalyie la sa,dalyie la”- hi Hussain, hi Hussain . . .
Dhaka December 2010. Ashura, the day is observed in the Muslim world of Sacrifice and Mourning recalling the martyrdom. Copy Right: Monirul Alam
Hazrat Imam Hussain Ibn Ali (RA), a grandson of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH).Imam Hussain (RA) along his follower were martyred in the desert in Iraq in 680 ( 1329 years ago) by these soldiers of Yazid at Karbala while fighting for establishing truth in the society. The day is observed in the Muslim world as a symbol of “sacrifice and mourning” recalling the martyrdom.
The word Ashura means simply “tenth in Arabic, and therefore the name of the remembrance, literally translated, means “the tenth day”.Shi’a Muslims bring out the largest procession known as Tazia in the city from Imam Bara at Hosenee Dalan of Old Dhaka. The significance and message of holy Ashura inspire to raise voice against injustice and oppression and also to follow the path of truth and justice.
The Nation across the country and the Bangladesh missions abroad celebrated the 40th Victory Day paying tribute to the three million martyrs for their ultimate sacrifice for the nation.
Dhaka, Shaheed Minar, December,2010.Bangladeshi school children wave small flags as they attend a rally to celebrate 40th Victory day in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on 16 December.Copy Right:Monirul Alam
On this day in 1971, the nation under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman won victory over Pakistani occupation forces after nine months of bloodshed.
General AAK Niazi, chief of the Pakistani occupation forces, surrendered to the allied forces of Bangladesh and India at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on December 16 with 93,000 soldiers following their defeat in the war that broke out in March, 1971.
” We have the chance to build a new story in Which economic growth,property alleviation and care for the environment are truly compatible.”
– Felipe Calderon,Maxcio President
Satkhira February 2010. Villagers cross at broken embankment by Aila last year that caused woes form millions.Copy Right:Moniurl Alam
The Cancún climate talks have concluded. Global talks on climate change set up a new fund to manage billion of dollars in aid to poor nations in a hard-fought packages urging cuts in industrial emission. Turning the page a year after the chaotic climate summit in Copenhagen, more than 190 countries meeting in Mexico kept ambitions in check and made headway on sticking points instead of seeking a wide-ranging treaty.
When I come back to my home I really surprised to see my computer table, PRIVATE! Yes, International review of photographs magazine PRIVATE, on my table- Private global report published my photo story ” People’s Struggle”. I pick it up and shortly look it’s nice, collectable and should be archives value. Around the globe total 17 photographers work published in this winter 2010-11 edition.
Dhaka,December 2010. Private,Global Report an International Review of Photographs.Copy Right:Monirul Alam
The issue is [Anthropology] As unique and special the scenes are that the photographers for this issue have chosen to focus on,the similarities (what we have in common,what we share) that can be found around the globe are striking said their editorial. . .
Canadian photographer DONAL WEBER work Chernobyl issue,his work titled “Bastard Eden,Our Chernobyl” Donald began visiting this region, as he says, because he wanted to see what was there. His question was simple: What was daily life actually like, inA POST-NUCLER WORLD?
Hans Durrer write his editorial on my work, […] from “People’s Struggle” with the floods that ravage Bangladesh each year to a Kalahari previously not seen (my favorites pics of all are the two first ones in blue).
Hear I am write the photographers name who their worked is Published in this Magazine at the same time I am very glad to Private Magazine to published my work and well reviewed . . .
Dhaka,December 2010. Private,Global Report an International Review of Photographs.Copy Right:Monirul Alam
Photographers:
Donald Weber
Isabelle Pateer
Kirk Ellingham
Guido Gazzilli
Nadia Shira Cohen
Daniel Traub
Antonia Zennaro
Alex Tomazatos
Monirul Alam (me)
Silvia Boarini
Martin Errichiello
Tessa Bunney
Nicola Lo Calzo
Tamas Paczai
Alessandro Toscano
Lene Munch
Matteo Bastianelli
7, December 2010
PRIVATE International review of photographs | People's Struggles by Monirul Alam
Tuesday, Dhaka
Note: Please click on this layout to see the link pages
Corals,Clear blue water and the several endangered species of turtles that nest on the island become a major tourist attraction. Every years St. Martin Island visitor population has increased dramatically. Bangladesh is really proud of it’s Island and could earn millions of dollars every year if it well promotes at the same time be concern about its natural conservation and protection.
St. Martin Island, November 2010. Exciting live corals at Chera Dwip. Copy Right: Monirul Alam
A few days ago I visited to St. Martin Island with my family members. They are really enjoy its beauty and said, “It’s a paradise for us, if we are not to come here we really missed it’s beauty I like it’s non stop roaring said my sister-in-law Mimi,a mother of Pritha and Adiba.
My mother is happy to see its beauty and I think this Island is good for her health. St. Martin Island is one of the best place in Bangladesh, especially in winter time. The dumbbell-shaped island has area of only about 8 sq. km which reduces to about 5 sq. km. during the high tide. Three smaller islands- Zinjira, Galachira and Cheradia are located just the south of the main island.
I think every tourist amazed to see its beauty each and every moment except a few minutes high tide on the Sea Trucks ride, During my visit I observed a number of foreign and local visitors enjoying their holiday. A rocky platform surrounds this island and extends into the sea,but the sand is excellent almost all the way around and is ideal for sunbathing.Its fascinating to see so many different types of fish drying in the sun on endless bamboo racks along the beach. In the morning you will walk up to view a Sun rising over the mountain’s of Myanmar while you see the Sun down on the Sea and you took a beautiful picture in front of corals.The people there are very friendly but concern about your important wealth.
St. Martin Island November 2010. The Sea fish is available at St. Martine Island. Copy Right: Monirul Alam
Zahid and Nila a newly married couple 1st time visit at St. Martine Island and enjoy their honeymoon. They said, “We really enjoy its beauty with our pleasure specially we like Chera Dwip causes its silent mode and crystal clear blue water with corals and sea food”.
St. Martin’s Island is a small island in the northeast part of the Bay of Bengal, about 9 km south of the tip of the Cox’s Bazar to Teknaf surrounded by water, and forming the southernmost part of Bangladesh. It is the only coral island in Bangladesh. It is about 8 km west of the northwest coast of Myanmar at the mouth of the Naf river. The surrounding coral rock’s of the island has an extension named Chera Dwip. If you not to go Chera Dwip I think you miss half of it’s beauty.
St. Martin Island, November 2010. A beautiful light fall on the corals at sea beach of St.Martine Island. Copy Right: Monirul Alam
Local officials see a certain risk in Saint Martin’s success with tourists, with some people hunting turtles and breaking off corals to sell to visitors. The island exists only because of its coral base, so removal of that coral risks erosion of the beaches. St. Martins has lost roughly 27% of its coral reef in the past 14 years. From Teknaf, ferries run daily to Saint Martin. It takes around 2.30 hours to reach the island, and most tourists visit the island from November to March.
MONIRUL ALAM 