Bangladesh Photographic Society (BPS), in association with over 60 like-minded organisations from across the country, celebrated World Photography Day on Tuesday with an array of colourful programmes.
This year, the celebration was held under the theme “Let’s Learn to Read Visual Language,” reports UNB.
The main programme began in the morning at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka.
The opening segment featured a performance titled “Tumi Ki Keboli Chhobi” by Dhaka Art and Dance Centre, followed by a musical performance from Lalon Jatra. Bangladesh Performance Art Group’s Sujon then presented a performance titled “Prem to Frame.”
A brief discussion session started at 9:30am joined by BPS General Secretary Zakirul Majed Konok, President M Yusuf Tushar, noted photographers Dr Shahidul Alam, Bulbul Ahmed, Nafiz Ahmed Nadvi (Head of BPS Standing Committee), Akkas Mahmud and Kamal Ahmed.
The speakers highlighted the significance of the day and strongly urged for the introduction of a Photography Department at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA).
The inaugural ceremony was conducted by noted theatre personality Shankar Shawjal and eminent photographer Imtiaz Alam Beg.
Following the discussions, a colourful procession was brought out from Shaheed Minar which paraded around Dhaka University’s TSC area.
As part of the day’s programmes, works of 12 late eminent Bangladeshi photographers were exhibited at Shaheed Minar.
That included Manzoor Alam Beg, Golam Kasem Daddy, Naibuddin Ahmed, Nawajesh Ahmed, Sayeeda Khanam, Rashid Talukder, Bijon Sarkar, Amanul Huq, Anwar Hossain, Mohammad Alam, Debabrata Chowdhury, and Golam Mostafa.
More than 60 organisations including Begart Institute of Photography, Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, Rajshahi Photographic Society, Faridpur Photographic Society, Association of Bangladesh Photographers (ABP), Legendary Moment Photography Society, Dhaka Photographers’ Club, Sylhet Photographic Society, Narayanganj Photographic Club, Counter Foto, Pabna Photographers Forum, Khulna Photographic Society, Comilla Photographic Society, Bogura Photography Club, Bhola Photography Club, Jainta Photographic Society, Bangladesh Performance Art Group, Environmental Photographic Society (EPS), Young Photographers’ Panel of Bangladesh, Bright Art Studio joined BPS in celebrating the day.
University-based photographic groups that participated in the celebration included Dhaka University Photographic Society, Jahangirnagar University Photographic Society, Rajshahi University Photographic Club, East West University Photography Club, North South University Art and Photography Club, Metropolitan University Photographic Society, Gono University Photographic Society, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Photographic Society, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), International Islamic University Chittagong (IIUC) Photography Society, Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) Photography Club, and MIST Photographic Society.