19/12/2024
We warmly invite you to an inspiring talk titled "1971-2024: A Birth, A Nation, A Revolution," presented by Shahidul Alam, the founder of Pathshala.
This event is part of the Student Festival 2024 and the accompanying exhibition ‘৩৬’ which will commence at 5 PM on 20 December 2024.
"The presentation will unearth three phases of Bangladesh’s photographic history. The first deals with the birth of Bangladesh. Fifty-three years ago, just a camera in hand, they had gone out to bring back a fragment of living history. Today, those photographs join them in protest. Peering through the crisp pages of the newly printed history books, they remind us, “No, that wasn’t the way it was. I know. I bear witness.
The second refers to the forgotten vernacular history surrounding studio photography in Mofussil towns. The need to conserve and build on the oral histories is stark as many collections have already been damaged. A hand-painted background showcasing a flying alligator or scenic view from a distant foreign land uniquely brought together the local artist, photographer, and the community and created a particular photographic tradition, these are unique visual memories.
The third is the recent documentation of the July Revolution. An unprecedented blossoming of creativity sprung from this revolution. Graffiti, poems, songs and slogans replaced the propaganda and leering images of ruling party politicians. Years of pent up anger also led to retribution, but students, the government and complete strangers rallied round and protected the vulnerable. Students policed in the absence of police. Ordinary citizens provided shelter, food and encouragement. She left. People rejoiced.”
About Shahidul Alam
Shahidul Alam, photographer, writer, curator, activist A Time Magazine’s Person of the Year 2018 and National Geographic Explorer at Large, photographer, writer, curator and activist, Shahidul Alam obtained a PhD in chemistry before switching to photography. Alam’s documentation contributed to the ouster of autocratic General Hussain Muhammad Ershad. Former president of Bangladesh Photographic Society, Alam set up the Drik agency, Bangladesh Photographic Institute, Chobi Mela festival, Majority World agency and Pathshala, the South Asian Media Institute, considered one of the finest schools of photography in the world.
A chair of the World Press Photo international jury, Alam has spoken at Harvard, Stanford, UCLA, Oxford and Cambridge universities. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, a Visiting Professor of Sunderland University, and an Adjunct Professor at RMIT.
He has been awarded Shilpakala Padak, the highest state award given to Bangladeshi artists, the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Dali Festival in China and the National Institute of Design in India, the Lucie Foundation Humanitarian Award and the ICP Infinity Special Presentation Award. He is also the 2020 recipient of the International Press Freedom Award given by the Committee to Protect Journalists and first recipient of CASE Art Fund's Humanitarian of the Year Award in 2021. He was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Arts London in 2022. In 2024 he received the inaugural Michael Collins Path to Freedom award.
𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀:
20 December 2024
Time: 5 PM
Venue: Level 2, DrikPath Bhobon, 16 Sukrabad, Panthapath, Dhaka 1207
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