Since its inception in 2000, Chobi Mela has been the most significant photography event in Asia and the first of a regular biennale. The theme for Chobi Mela IX is “Transition.” Curated by ASM Rezaur Rahman, Mahbubur Rahman, Munem Wasif, Tanzim Wahab along with guest curators Alexander Supartono, Salauddin Ahmed and festival director Shahidul Alam, the ninth edition of the festival aims to be more compact, with all venues situated in South Dhaka. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy is the main venue along with venues in Old Dhaka.
Pathshala South Asian Media Institute is the educational venue where workshops, portfolio reviews and some of the artist talks will be held. The festival features over 30 exhibitions showcasing the work of 27 artists from 16 countries. Among them are Kanu’s Gandhi, historic photographs of Mahatma Gandhi by his grand-nephew, The Poet with The Camera by Bangladesh’s master portraitist Nasir Ali Mamun, Native Women of South India: Manners and Customs (2000-2004) by the Indian political-satirist Pushpamala N, United Red Army, an abstract film unravelling a historic hijacking by Naeem Mohaiemen, and Open Wound, the epic documentation of Chechen resistance by Stanley Greene.
Chobi Mela IX has commissioned ten Bangladeshi artists as Chobi Mela Fellows to produce site-specific artwork for the festival. To investigate the theme “Transition,” artists from different backgrounds of painting, drawing, animation, sculpture, photography, video, sound and installation have have stretched the medium physically and conceptually. Through this initiative, Chobi Mela aims to support new media artists of Bangladesh to develop independent projects with freedom rarely provided in formal art events.
Chobi Mela IX continues its tradition of recognising individuals who have dedicated their lives to the growth of Bangladesh Photography. The organisers are honoured to announce that the Chobi Mela IX Lifetime Achievement Award will be awarded to Nasir Ali Mamun and Sayeeda Khanom.
Nasir Ali Mamun’s passion for portraiture has given us engaging, thought-provoking images of writers, poets, musicians and other artists, while, while Sayeeda Khanom continues to be a torch-bearer for women in the field of photojournalism, which men have long tried to monopolise.
The festival hosts workshops by photo practitioners from all around the world. In this edition, workshops held by Boris Eldagsen, Donald Weber and Rishi Singhal will provide participants with invaluable training and exposure. The Photobook Masterclass, a bookmaking workshop by Markus Schaden and Frederic Lezmi was successfully culminated on January 18 at Pathshala South Asian Media Institute with participants making their own photobooks. Working Internationally: Strategies and Methodologies, a workshop by Shahidul Alam, Shafiqul Alam and Abir Abdullah was conducted for reporters and photojournalist on January 19.
Chobi Mela IX will also host an exciting list of events. Artists’ talks, panel discussions and curated slideshows are organised around the theme “Transition.” The panel discussion on “Challenges of working as a freelance photojournalist” by Shahidul Alam, Tahmina Rahman and moderated by Mary O’ Shea is a highlight for young and upcoming freelance photojournalists.
Ensuring access for the general public has always been an important part of the festival and mobile exhibitions on rickshaw vans have become its trademark. The mobile exhibition will travel all over Dhaka city including remote locations.
The festival is free and open to the public. To know more about the festival, please visit their website, www.chobimela.org.
Saturday, July 18, 2026
