Page 443 - Art and Crafts of Bangladesh

440 ART AND CRAFTS

photographs of various incidents in the greater Jessore area during the War taken by
the brave freedom fighter and photojournalist S. M. Safi. Outside of Bangladesh,
especially in India some other publications similar to this are 1971 War in Pictures,
Bleeding Bangladesh, Bangla Namey Desh etc.
3.0 Post-Independence Photographic Organizations
After 1971 the enthusiasm and encouragement born of liberation also flowed into the
field of photography and photographers who endeavored to organize themselves.
Quite a number of organizations including ‘Bangladesh Photographic Society’ (BPS)
played a primary role in the growth, development and thus the total success of
photography in post-independence Bangladesh. The art of photography achieved
nationwide diffusion and enrichment through the activities of these organizations.
After liberation there were many attempts made to found a central photography
society. In this context BPS was formed on 21 December 1975 with the active effort
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of the soul of the photographic movement, M.A. Beg. An organization named
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Camera Recreation Club had already been formed before liberation.
Camera Recreation Club (CRC)
‘Camera Recreation Club’ founded in 1962 stayed active even after liberation with
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the efforts and inspiration of its ‘unannounced general secretary for life,’ [Trans.]
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Golam Kashem Dady. The activities, discussions, general meetings as well as fairly
regular thematic competitions and exhibitions were held annually and in spring at his
residence. This club contributed considerably in the dissemination of photography in
the country as well as in amateur photography. The activities of the club slowed down
after the death of Dady.
Bangladesh Photographic Society (BPS)
Bangladesh Photographic Society is the federation of photographic societies of the
country and member of FIAP. Currently it has sixteen member organizations and
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almost five thousand general members. In the context of the times, it was ‘the
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intention of founding the Society to unite the persons involved in photography and
work together for the healthy development of the underdeveloped and neglected field
of photography.’ [Trans.] BPS created an accessible forum for photographers of the
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country. Immense enthusiasm and interest in photography was created throughout the
country due to its many activities which led to the overall development of
photography. In the last three decades BPS has advanced through publishing journals
on photography, organizing national and international exhibitions, 58 awarding
corporate and honorary memberships, 59 disseminating education on photography
through Bangladesh Photographic Institute, organizing workshops and seminars by
internationally distinguished photographers and other multifarious activities. BPS
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has had noteworthy success in various fields. Along with the personal successes of
members in the international field, BPS won a gold medal along with the second
position as a group in the 3rd Commonwealth Photography Competition held in Hong
Kong in 1983. Moreover, BPS stood 7th in the prestigious 5th FIAP Nature Biennial
held in Turkey in 1990.