Photography has created a distinctive niche in Bangladesh society where the person with the camera is not simply a person working for a newspaper but an artist chronicling the evolution of a changing nation. And if photography today is deemed a profession of preference, then, arguably, the root of that stems from one institution – Begart Institute of Photography. The mushrooming of photography institutes today pull hordes of young people into the activity called image-making, but back in 1960, when very few thought about taking photography as a profession, one man decided to bring in a new career perspective within a very rigid professional framework. That man was M. A. Beg, who, today is regarded by most as the pioneer of photography and the movements around photography in the then East Pakistan and eventually, Bangladesh. The objective of Begart was simple: to allow young people with a penchant for something different to carve out a new breed of artists. The start was not easy but there was passion, dedication and resolute focus. Today, after more than fifty years the institute still manages to survive on these principles. From the early days when very few ever had the vision to harbour an idea out of the ordinary, Begart has come to the present where photography is a cherished career option. Without sounding pretentious, Begart can claim that in the advancement of photography it had played a pivotal role. Today students from this institute are pursuing their respective career-paths while they are scattered all over the country. Today, they find themselves in the midst of another revolution inspired by the new the era of media and communication. Begart, as a learning institute, also took the lead in bringing out publications on photography, holding courses, seminars and exhibitions setting a trend in learning which still forms a core part of Begart’s programmes. - Towheed Feroze Journalist
Posted on: Wed, 28 Aug 2013 10:01:51 +0000