The five-day photography exhibition titled 1134 Lives not Numbers featuring Rana Plaza catastrophe ended with a musical programme at Pathsala premises at Panthopath in the capital on Saturday.
Organised by Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, the exhibition featured images by 19 photographers showcasing the aftermath of the horrific accident and paying homage to the 1134 apparel industry workers, who were killed in the Rana Plaza building collapse on April 24, 2013.
The five day exhibition, besides displaying spine chilling photographs, also featured talks, performance arts, music shows and others.
The concluding day programme featured musical bands Samogeet and Leela, and solo performance by noted singer Kafil Ahmed.
Samogeet commenced with Hey Manush Shuntey Pachho Ki, a song dedicated to Rana Plaza victims. The song described the unbearable agony the poor workers suffered before dying.
Another presentation by the band was Sokale Uthiya Ami Mone Mone Boli, a satiric song mocking all who just live their lives and does not care about what is going on around them.
Kafil Ahmed rendered his popular number Amader Tala Baddho Rekhe. The song with its powerful lyrics protested against the greedy and selfish segment of upper-class people who exploit the working class in their pursuit of wealth accumulation.
Kafil’s another song Je Agun Legechhe called upon all those who are oppressed to stand against the wrongdoings of the oppressors.
The band Leela also presented some of its popular songs.
The venue was jam-packed with people. Rahul Bhattacharia, an amateur photographer and also a university student, told New Age that the songs presented at the programme and also the photographs at the exhibition made him realise the pain of the victims of that tragedy. ‘Now I feel more about them and also thinking about ways to help the survivors get back on their feet,’ said Bhattacharia.
-With New Age input
