Panning on women at work

Photographs by Md. Muniruzzaman (above) and Rajibul Islam

Thirteen young photographers, three of them women, recently focused on Changing images of women in Bangladesh recently at Shilpangan. In the multicoloured photography exhibition, working women were depicted as diligent garment workers, contented females from a towel factory and liberated reporters. Beaming doctors and bicycle mechanics were seen too in the display. When most women in Bangladesh are still confined to their homes, the changing images are undoubtedly welcomed.
Factory owners like Rabiya Khatun is seen supervising others in Gazipur. After collecting her savings, using long-term loans from NGOs, she is now a radiant entrepreneur. This picture is taken by Sikder Imran Ahammed. The focus of the group of photographs is in the dyeing and manufacture of both hand and factory looms.
Badrun Nahar Ruba depicts a woman hammering away on a piece of stone, in her colourful attire. Even though she is toiling, she is not to be pitied, going by her matching bangles, spirited bearing and contented countenance.
A judo instructor with black belt is seen in Md. Sharif Abul Hayat's black and white photographs. The focus is up to the chest, with the hands thrust up. The determination and strength of personality is reflected in her eyes and angle of her mouth. She appears like some overwhelming female gladiator from ancient times.
Mohibub Zaman has brought in a young photojournalist with trendy clothes and accessories as she goes about her job in the streets. She is also shown at her desk editing her photographs. Both images have a lot of black and white, along with touches of colour. The eye for details is admirable.
In Rajibul Islam's work one finds garment workers chatting at home with their neatly piled clothes and happy faces -- lighting up with the presence of the photographer. Their bright clothes speak of their joie de vivre.
Md. Muniruzzaman who depicted the presence of construction workers at various angles, drew attention to their hard work as well as their sense of satisfaction. Confident and wreathed with smiles they bring in the sunshine into the lens focus of women at work.
The focus on the contentment and harmony of progressive Bangladeshi women is indeed laudable.