Page 438 - Art and Crafts of Bangladesh

PHOTOGRAPHY 435

b. 1971 to 2005
Rafiul Islam

1.0 Foreword
Photography is a universal medium of art and a very effective mass media. It is
gradually growing in influence in various aspects of social and national life in
Bangladesh and also achieving artistic excellence. The photographers of Bangladesh
have already received more than nine hundred awards and recognitions including gold
medals in various international exhibitions and competitions without any noteworthy
patronage from the government or the private sector. 44
Beginning in 1971 to the present the photography of Bangladesh has shown multi-
dimensional transformations. Basically, it is observable that personal efforts
introduced institutional education in photography with the establishment of various
educational centers, the birth of various photographic organizations and their diverse
activities, the involvement of the younger generation along with the elder in the
practice of photography, international communication as well as exhibitions and
workshops, recognition and awards, the increasing use of modern technology etc.
There are also many limitations and adversities in this field. However, the journey of
photography of independent Bangladesh began with a tremendous impact. This impact
saw the victory through an all out War of Liberation of a people united in its yearning
for freedom. Our photography on the War of Liberation has captured that history to a
large extent.
2.0 Photographs on the War of Liberation
2.1 The Nature of Photographs on the Liberation War
The photographs taken by local and foreign photographers on the War of Liberation
are reminders and also the most reliable documents of the diverse incidents and history
of that period. The oppression, cruelty and barbarity of the occupying Pakistani forces
during the War created a black chapter in history. Alongside that, the fight for freedom
and mass movement of the people of this country craving for liberty is a glorious one.
Both of these chapters have been documented in the photographs of the War of
Liberation. Our photojournalists have successfully captured the intoxicating events
following the election of 1970, the beginning of 1971 leading upto the beginning of
the War. Notable among these events are the different activities of the student
movement centered around the University of Dhaka, various processions, meetings
and congregations with the huge presence of people from all walks of life clamorous
in resistance, the many activities of political leaders including Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman and Bhasani, non-cooperation movement and so forth. The
photographers of the country took photographs of the brutal attack of the Pakistani
forces on the innocent and unarmed Bengali people, the mass killing and destruction
on the black night of 25th March amidst great adversities. However, from 25 March