Kalpana Chakma, a young leader of the Hill Women’s Federation, was abducted 18 years back, from her home by military personnel and civilian law-enforcers on 12 June, 1996 at gunpoint. She remains missing.
Bangladesh’s one of the most renowned photographers, Shahidul Alam's solo exhibition “18” is the continuation of his “Searching for Kalpana Chakma,” that took place last year marking the same occasion at the same venue, Drik Gallery. “18” continues to question the impunity of state machineries and the complicity of the establishment. It presents not only a visually engaging exhibition but also a detailed examination and a re-enactment of an issue that has been conveniently obscured by successive Bangladeshi governments.
The exhibition is a powerful and poignant essay that uses found objects, newspaper clippings, extracts from her diary and her personal belongings to produce a haunting but lyrical rendering of the deeply disturbing story.
The exhibition, part of Drik’s public awareness campaign “No More,” was inaugurated by Nurul Kabir, editor of New Age, on Thursday.