The whole circle of life from childhood joy to old-age agony amid nature is the theme of photographer Swapan Saha’s ongoing second solo exhibition at the National Art Plaza of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
Titled Ananta Satya (the infinite truth), the exhibition showcases 60 photographs that philosophically illustrate lives of human beings.
There are six snaps that have captured stills of six seasons of our country. The open sky of summer, the rainy sky, the white roaming clouds of autumn, the sunrise of the harvest season, the soft sun of the winter and twig of spring-all deserve appreciation.
Saha, has also demonstrated different phases of human life. The ray of sun on new leaves, new-born baby in mother’s lap, the bare body of a smiling little village girl, all hint towards the beginning of life.
Saha has stills on display that tell the story of flourishing life, the joys and agonies. Flying birds, plying boats, waterfall all are emblematic of life’s journey.
Then there are photographs that allude at the journey towards death. Symbolically, pictures like withered ‘sheuli’ flower, and shriveled leaves depict the end of life. The photographer has also captured the somber faces and mundane moods of two aged women to reinforce his work.
Saha has a number of photographs also that show the process of cremation so as to suggest the journey of life, like every other element of nature, ends somewhere.
‘I have tried to tell the story of life through these photographs,’ Swapan Saha told New Age.
Appreciating the photographs, Manik Hasan, a Dhaka University student, said, ‘I find his work thought provoking.’
The exhibition was inaugurated by eminent artist Qayyum Chowdhury on April 26, and will end today (Tuesday).
-With New Age input
