Page 444 - Art and Crafts of Bangladesh

PHOTOGRAPHY 441

Thus, since its inception BPS has played a major role in the advancement and
dissemination of photography with its multidimensional activities despite many
drawbacks and limitations. Branches of BPS were established in Rajshahi and Dinajpur
only some time later. In its wake many member organizations, sister organizations and
independent photography clubs developed in various parts of the country.
Alokchitra Shilpi Samsad (ASS)
‘Alokchitra Shilpi Samsad’was founded in Mymensingh with the inspiration and efforts
of eminent photographers Naib Uddin Ahmed, Nawab Ali and others in December 1977
and played an active and effective role in the development of photography. In 1979 this
Samsad with the assistance of UNICEF organized the first nationwide photography
exhibition and competition on the occasion of the international children’s year. Next, in
1983, this institution organized the second (Mother and Child in Bangladesh) and in
1990 the third (Pathakali, the helpless and neglected children of Bangladesh, childcare)
national photography contest and exhibition. Moreover, the Samsad organized various
seminars and workshops as well as different training activities at different times.
Chittagong Photographic Society (CPS)
Among organizations situated outside of Dhaka the Chittagong Photographic Society is
the most active and enthusiastic. With its establishment on 11 March 1983 it has directed
multifarious activities for the development of photography in the country. Mrinal
Sarker, Mortoza Towfiqul Islam, Moududul Alam and many others played an important
role in this regard. In 1990 CPS organized the second international (first approved by
FIAP) photography competition and exhibition in Bangladesh. 61 Moreover, it has
organized five national contests and shows. Since 2001 CPS has been publishing a
journal on photography named Exposure.
Bangladesh Alokchitra Federation (BAF)
At the end of the eighties the effort to establish a federation incorporating all the
photographic organizations of Bangladesh was undertaken. 62 In August 1987 its
constitution was approved by representatives of different bodies and the executive
committee formed with Mrinal Sarker as President and Anwar Hossain as the General
Secretary. However, with the strong stand of BPS as the pre-announced FIAP approved
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and working federation of photographic organizations BAF was faced with a
contradictory and adverse situation. It did not last for long but successfully arranged a
number of exhibitions and competitions.
Alongsides the above-mentioned major organizations there were many photographic
organizations or societies established all over the country. Basically with the effort of
some young students including Obaedullah Al Mamun ‘Brahmanbaria Photographic
Society’ was established in 1984, which played a very active role in the development of
photography. Besides, ‘Joypurhat Photographic Society’ (1984), ‘Kamalganj
Photographic Society’ (1985), two in Bogra; ‘Bogra Alokchitra Samsad’ (1985) and
‘Bogra Photographic Society’ (1985), including ‘Faridpur Inner Eye Photographic
Society’ similar organizations developed contemporaneously in Pabna, Rajshahi,
Sylhet, Barisal, Rajbari, Comilla, Bhairab, Moulvibazar, Narayanganj. At the initiative