The first solo photography exhibition Life & Struggle of Padma by the promising young photographer Sumon Yusuf is on at Alliance Française de Dhaka. The exhibition will continue until February 6. Sumon is a documentary photographer and 20 of his photographs displayed in the exhibition are of the great Padma River.
The aspiring photographer travelled to Rajshahi for around two years and captured the diverse climatic conditions of Padma, which is winter and the rainy season. The exhibition will give visitors a glance at the lifestyle of the people living in the Chor. The photos explain the dire conditions that have arisen due to climate change and diversion, the once mighty river is becoming increasingly narrow and dry. The sequence of photos also shows the catastrophe during the rainy season that wipes away livelihood of people overnight. Sumon wishes to raise awareness among people and inspire them to come forward to save the Padma River.
Talking about the title of the exhibition, Sumon said: “Well, one can notice that my photos lack movement and the vivaciousness of life. This photo documentary is an attempt to showcase the hardship of the people residing near the bank of the mighty Padma.”
Life & Struggle of Padma is a part of Sumon’s lifelong photography project. The photographer said: “Bangladesh was born on rivers. There is a deep connection between the people of this country and rivers. Rivers can teach us openness, solidarity, romanticism, and give us the spirit to live. If we go to the countryside, we see rivers all around us. We cannot separate ourselves from them. In five years time, I would like to publish a photograph book on my extensive work of some specific sites of Padma. I hope it will be accepted internationally as a reference photograph book on Bangladeshi river culture.”
Sumon graduated in English literature and studied visual literacy at the Asian Centre for Journalism of Ateneo de Manila University of Philippines. He also attended one year diploma program on photojournalism at South Asian Media Institute, Pathshala. His work has been exhibited in USA, Australia, Japan, Bangladesh and 9th Angkor Photo Festival in Siem Reap, Cambodia. His photos were nominated for the Joop Swart Masterclass by World Press Photo Foundation from Netherlands.
The exhibition was inaugurated on January 24 and Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed, chairperson and chief executive of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro, Qudrat E Khoda, managing director, Systech Unimax Ltd, eminent columnist Raana Haider and Abdul Majid Chowdhury, president of the executive committee, Alliance Française de Dhaka were present as guests.