Tag: Bangladesh

Chobi Mela VI | International Festival of Photography

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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.

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Chobi Mela Site
Chobi Mela Blog

For more information please contact Chobi Mela Secretariat

Media Manager:
Qamruzzaman:
Tel: +8801911224884

Liason and Communication:
Chulie de Silva:
Tel: +8801927122141

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Santal Revolution | Observed in 155 Years

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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.

 

Corals Paradise in Bangladesh

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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.

2 December,2010 Thursday

Dhaka, Thursday

Note: See more Picture click the following link

In the name of God

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Dhaka November 2010. Bangladeshi madras orphanage students using rickshaw van to collecting sacrifice animals tanned hide at old Dhaka. Bangladeshi Muslims celebrating the Eid-Ul-Azha the annual Islamic holiday is marked by the ritual sacrifice after morning prayers of sheep,goats,cows and other livestock whose meat is then shared with the poor.Copy Right:Monirul Alam

EID TRAVEL | Dhaka

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Dhaka city is now like turning human sea home bound people madly rush on the bus,train and launch station for celebrating  country’s second biggest religious festival Eid-Ul-Azha. Number of cattle market occupied on the main road traffic system is already collapse but people not to stop just moving and moving. I think  they are determined to go to  their village and celebrate Eid with their loved ones.

Tongi Station. November 2010. Hundreds of homebound passenger crowd the roofs of train risking their lives to meet their kins and share the joy of Eid festivity.Copy Right:Monirul Alam

We  just wait at Tongi rail station to take photos for our news coverage. I look around on the station number of people is waiting for train. The commuter train will be come from Dhaka station and go to other district. I see a few of garments worker just sitting on the station, I talked with them, Salma Begum said, The train was supposed to be here at 4.30 pm, now it’s 6.20 pm but not to arrive we just waiting hour and hour’s but we are happy  to go to my house, like Salma thousand of train passengers waited for  long time.

When the train is arrive on the station I just look, it is  already full of passenger inside and roof of the train while I see Salma just left her shoes and thrown the train roofs and than she climbs up on the train roofs, I think it is risking journey for her but Salma is smiling me and say good bye bhaiya Eid Mubarak. I took many pictures of Salma and her friends. Within a few minutes the train is left from the station at the same time I leave on the station and  started my motor bike to returning my office news editor have been waiting for my picture  . . .

16 November, 2010 Dhaka, Tuesday


HUMAN TRAIN | DHAKA

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On the way of my office long time I standing near the Mintu road with my motorbike causes  huge  traffic jam. A bas contractor  insisting me-ride your motorbike on the footpath and safe your time. He said, bhai footpath re upper deya jan, boya takle shomoy nosto hoibo. I think as a responsible person I don’t go the wrong way . . .

Dhaka. Human Train Copy Right:Monirul Alam

Within a few  minute’s  I see most of the motorbike rider- ride their motorbike on the footpath- like parent with his  kids,security forces,Journalist and many more. After while a  contractor smiling for me, and said how foolish you are !

In the day time all street are occupied and  gridlock by the  bus,private car, rickshaw street hacker. Political parties and other organization  doing their regular activities on the busy street without concern law and other people’s right.

Dhaka city people are now crazy. If your could closely observe than you see  within a minute  more incident is happening  even that each other beat of them for funny things, every day of their daily chats.

Lawlessness, respecting each other and dignity is gradually  lost form the people’s  life. It is establish that We lost our believe. We  all are busy and mad crazy going faster and faster- but the result in ZERO.

On that days I also covering an assignment at Faculty of Fine Arts ( Charukola Dhaka University)  An eminent Japanese sculptor SETSU SUZUKI  for his exhibition opening. He said,  my first visit I see huge number of people live in the dhaka city. He also said   my HUMAN TOWER installation is more relevant for the Bangladeshi people. I think as a foreign artiest within a short time to read our society.

8 November, 2010 Dhaka, Monday


Seasonal Food Insecurity | Char Life

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North Part of Bangladesh,Kurigram.2005. Living on the Char is not very comfortable- children walk on the river side. Monga or seasonal food insecurity is not a new phenomenon in Bangladesh. Seasonal food insecurity in ecologically vulnerable and economically weak part of north-western Bangladesh.Copy Right:Monirul Alam

Philip Blenkinsop Lecture

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These week I attend Philip lecture, Philip Blenkinsop is a  renowned photographer and founding member of NOOR Photo Agency. Noor is an International Photo Agency which work worldwide. Noor’s Photographer share concerns, and accept the challenge of expressing these concerns in a language capable of renewing itself,respect the human dignity of their subjects. They are documentary photographers aware of the major changes facing traditional media in favor of an always-bigger diffusion of the new media said their manifesto.

 

Dhaka, October 2010. Philip delivered his valuable lecture at Drik. Copy Right:Monirul Alam

 

 

I like his  lecture and nice presentation- to learn more about latest concept of documentary photography.His thought about the photojournalism is really appreciative. To me I met Philipe he is a nice and friendly person. He came to Bangladesh, secound time for his own project.

 

I thanks to Pathshala Alumni to conduct  this lecture session specially thanks to Munem Wasif. He takes an good initiative to explore our photographic arena.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Link Page NOOR:  http://www.noorimages.com/home/

 

Internal Migration

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Climate change touches already every corner of the world and every aspect of people’s lives. As the global temperature increases, its impacts will become even more extreme. The impact of climate change world is already facing food and fuel crises. World Bank and IMF have sounded a larger alarm push 100 million people in low-income countries deeper into poverty. Bangladeshi is a country that stands to be one of the first to suffer from global climate change, and the time to act is now.

 

Patukhali south part of Bangladesh, October 2010. Mujibor and Khaled stand on the launch deck who left their houses away to Dhaka city for searching job.Copy Right:Monirul Alam

 

The IPCC warns of devastating floods, drought, extreme weather, hunger, and disease across the world in decades to come.

Bangladesh faces all of that already, and climate change will accelerate it. Once a byword for backwardness, Bangladesh is now a glimpse of everyone’s future.


River Life

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Patuakhali,South Part of Bangladesh,October 2010. Fisher man catching fish the Padma river at night time. Hilsha fish is very much popular in Bangladesh and India. Copy Right:Monirul Alam