Page 447 - Art and Crafts of Bangladesh

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high quality printing and processing of black and white photographs. The members of
MAP are presently involved in ‘development photography’ for different voluntary
organizations on specific themes (health, child labor, abuse of women, acid terror,
education). MAP has a number of photographic publications. Hasan Saifuddin
Chandan, Shafiqul Alam Kiron, Mahmud, Khaled, Bitu, Sujan, Masuma Pia are
currently involved in MAP.
Aalok Group of Photographers
Aalok was established by 17 contemporary photographers of the new generation
on a completely non-profit basis with their commitment and promise to
photography. Aalok has been able to build up an international network through
group exhibitions outside the country in Romania, Japan, Singapore as well as in
Bangladesh. In 1996 Aalok successfully organized the first international
‘Swachchha Alokchitra’ exhibition. Dr. Rashid Un-Nabi is now the chairman of
Aalok. Currently it is largely inactive.
Recently in 2004 six young photographers founded ‘Icon’ photo. Other than executing
photo assignments for persons and organizations, Icon also regularly arranges various
subject-based workshops. Moreover, the studio-centered photographers of the country
have established the ‘Bangladesh Photographic Council,’ ‘Bangladesh Photographic
Association,’ etc. for working together on various issues.
Bangladesh Photographic Council (BPC)
In post-independence Bangladesh in 1972 to address the issues of the unavailability
and high price of photographic materials ‘Bangladesh Photographic Council’ was
formed by the commercial studios and dealers in photographic materials. After the
situation normalized the organization became inactive.
Bangladesh Photographic Association (BPA)
In 1984 the photographers and businessmen of the studios of Dhaka formed
‘Bangladesh Studio Malik Samiti.’ In 1998 this association was amended to a certain
extent and it was renamed ‘Bangladesh Photographic Association.’Almost a thousand
studios all over the country are now its members as well as various photography
related commercial organizations. BPA is involved in the advancement of photography
of the country as well as movements related to upholding their own interests and the
organization of a number of seminars and workshops for the development of education
in photography. This association has also taken the initiative of publishing a journal
on photography, Photobarta. Many photographers were and are associated with this
organization including the founding president late Idris Mia, M. A. Rahim, Monwar
Hossain Manik, Monzurul Alam Chowdhury and Hamidul Huq Kochi. In 1991 a
similar ‘Studio Malik Samiti’ was established in the port city, Chittagong. The
founding president was Mortoza Towfiqul Islam and Mihir Kanti Chakrabarti was the
general secretary.
Bangladesh Photographers Welfare Association