Photo album by Syed Rezaur Rahman features rare images
Dhaka University (DU) Day was first observed on January 8, 1983. It was an initiative of the then Dhaka University Central Students Union (DUCSU). However, the day was not celebrated every following year. For example, after 1989, following the uprising that overthrew Ershad from power, the DU administration didn’t celebrate the day. Then, in 2001, under the leadership of Dr. AK Azad Chowdhury, (former vice chancellor of DU) 80th anniversary of the university was celebrated on July 5, informed the Acting Registrar of DU, Syed Rezaur Rahman whose book on the history and heritage of DU was launched on that day. Since, 2007, he has been deeply involved in taking necessary steps to observe the DU Day on campus.
This year, Rahman organised a weeklong photo exhibition (from June 30-July 6) at TSC, featuring the history of the university, through rare photos of the institution, its former vice-chancellors and many momentous occasions. His photo album “Smritir Chowa (1921-2009)”, featuring 1500 images, was also launched on June 30, 2011.
Documenting how students of the university had always been torchbearers of cultural movements in the country, Rahman writes: “After the partition of 1947, Muslim students, particularly girls, began performing music in public. Laila Arjumand Banu, Husna Banu Khanam, Maleka Azim Khan were among the ones who had shown the courage to step into the arena of music. Then in the 1970s and 1980s, we had more female students who became leading singers. Ferdaus Ara, Sadya Afreen Mallick, Shakila Zafar, Dahlia Nawshin and many other singers, who are now famous, practiced and performed music on campus.”
DU was founded during the British Raj. On March 23, 1920, the then Governor General of India passed ‘The University Act’. On July 1, 1921, DU officially started its journey.
Since its inception, the university has changed its logo at least four times. Rahman’s album includes the background of each logo.
History of the university, as documented in the album, focuses mainly on the administrative changes over the decades. Rahman has also chronicled the contribution of DU students to the cultural arena of the country.
“The contribution of DU students in the cultural sphere has always been commendable. TSC is recognised as a cultural centre, where major movements spawned,” said Rahman.
-With The Daily Star input
