Photo agency and picture library Drik celebrated its 24th founding anniversary on Thursday through a programme featuring photo exhibition, memorial lecture and cultural presentation.
Artist Mustafa Monowar gave the fifth Golam Kasem Daddy Lecture on aesthetics on the occasion laying stress on variation, harmony and unity in every aesthetical artwork, particularly photography.
Pointing to the national scenario in Bangladesh, Mustafa said it was unity that gives totality to something and in Bangladesh everything but unity prevails. He hoped unity would return to the country and it would pace forward for progress.
Mustafa said Drik had brought a new dimension in Bangladesh’s photography and it also proved the strength of photography that irks the state machinery and close down exhibition.
Mustafa also inaugurated a photography exhibition by Ranak Martin,
Shahidul Alam and Wahid Adnan styled ‘Three Windows’.
Drik founder Shahidul Alam narrated achievements of the institution in past 24 years. ‘It is true that many people like us but there are some who cannot tolerate us. It is our success and we are proud of it,’ he said citing obstructions on the journey of the institution.
He recalled forced dislocation of an exhibition on war of independence and closing down an exhibition titled ‘crossfire’.
A documentary film by Shahidul Alam ‘Searching for Kalpana Chakma’ was also screened.
The programme ended through musical soiree and a play by theatre group Prachyanat.
-With New Age input
