BSA commemorates photography maestros Manzoor Alam Beg and Anwar Hossain

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), as part of its ongoing tribute series 'Monishi Smaran' to honour eminent late personalities, organised a commemorative event on Monday remembering legendary photographers Manzoor Alam Beg and Anwar Hossain for their remarkable contributions to the country's visual arts and photography.

Titled 'Srijone Smritite', the event took place at the National Art Gallery auditorium of the Academy in the capital. Organised under the Fine Arts Department of BSA, the programme featured two sessions and was presided over by Mustafa Zaman, Director of the Fine Arts Department of BSA.

In the first session dedicated to Ekushey Padak-winning photographer Manzoor Alam Beg, Ekushey Padak-winning eminent photographer Nasir Ali Mamun presented the keynote, while veteran photographer Mir Shamsul Alam Babu discussed the presentation. Notable participants included Imtiaz Alam Beg, son of Manzoor Alam Beg, and photographer-activist Amirul Rajiv.

The second session paid homage to acclaimed photographer Anwar Hossain. The keynote was delivered by writer, educator and journalist Sudipta Salam, followed by a discussion led by art critic Moinuddin Khaled.

Manzoor Alam Beg (1931-1998) was a transformative figure in Bangladesh's photographic landscape, widely celebrated as the founding father of fine-art photography in the country.

Anwar Hossain (1948-2018) was another legendary Bangladeshi photographer and cinematographer, often celebrated as the father of modern photography in Bangladesh.

The speakers also recalled the legacy of other pioneering photojournalists including Aftab Ahmed and Rashid Talukder, highlighting their contributions in shaping the country's photographic and visual storytelling landscape.

Organised under the patronage of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the 'Monishi Smaran' initiative of BSA regularly commemorates deceased luminaries and their roles in enriching Bangladesh's arts and culture.