Srijonshil Gaibandha Foundation Organises “Char and Life” Photography Exhibition Featuring the Lives of Char Communities

Gaibandha, Bangladesh | 12 April 2025: Srijonshil Gaibandha Foundation, a youth-led social and voluntary organisation, organised a three-day photography exhibition titled “Char and Life” (Char O Jibon), highlighting the everyday lives, struggles, culture and resilience of people living in the riverine char areas of Gaibandha.

The exhibition began on Saturday, 12 April 2025, at 11:00 AM at the premises of the Victory Monument in Gaibandha Poura Park. The event was inaugurated by internationally renowned photographer, human rights activist, writer and curator Dr. Shahidul Alam, founder of Drik Picture Library and Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, and recipient of the Ekushey Padak.

The inauguration ceremony was presided over by Md. Abul Hossain Mridha, Adviser to Srijonshil Gaibandha Foundation. Mostafa Sabuj, a member of the Interim Government's Media Reform Commission and Gaibandha correspondent of The Daily Star, attended as a special guest.

The programme began with cultural performances by Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi and a traditional dance performance by members of the Santal Indigenous community. Cultural personality Zahurul Kayum conducted the ceremony.

In his inaugural speech, Dr. Shahidul Alam described photography as a form of poetry, emphasising that photographers are storytellers who communicate powerful narratives through images. He also highlighted the courage and significant role of photographers during the July–August student movement in Bangladesh.

The exhibition featured more than 150 photographs captured by photographer Kuddus Alam, documenting the lives, livelihoods, struggles and everyday experiences of river-dependent communities and residents of the char regions.

As part of the exhibition, a photography competition was also organised for students to encourage young people to explore photography and visual storytelling. Dr. Shahidul Alam presented awards to the winners of the competition.

Through this initiative, Srijonshil Gaibandha Foundation aimed to highlight the untold stories of char communities, promote local culture and heritage, and create greater public awareness of the lives and challenges of people living in geographically vulnerable riverine areas.

Following the inauguration, Dr. Shahidul Alam participated in an exchange meeting with local journalists at the Gaibandha Public Library auditorium.

The three-day exhibition served as a platform for visual storytelling, cultural expression and community engagement, bringing greater attention to the people and realities of Gaibandha's char regions.