<i>Int'l photography festival begins in city</i>

Noted writer Mahasweta Devi looks at a photograph at Chobi Mela, an international festival of photography, after inaugurating the festival at the National Museum in the city yesterday. On her right is Dr Shahidul Alam. Photo: STAR

Chobi Mela, an international festival of photography, was inaugurated through a unique exhibition 'A Long Walk to Freedom' recreating the life and history of Nelson Mandela, Nobel peace laureate, in the city yesterday.
Magsaysay award winner and noted writer Mahasweta Devi from Kolkata was present as the guest of honour at the inaugural ceremony of the three-week festival at the National Museum.
Starting from January 30, the largest photography festival in Asia, will continue throughout the whole month of February at various prominent galleries in the city.
There will be a total of 62 exhibitions at different venues like National Museum, British Council, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts, Alliance Francaise, Goethe Institute, Asiatic Gallery of Fine Arts and Drik Gallery.
Noted photographers from 35 countries, including South Africa, Argentina, Nepal, France, the UK, Denmark, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Lebanon, China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Iraq, Japan, Mali, Mexico, Russia, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Palestine, the Philippines, the Netherlands, the USA, Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia and Sweden, are here to feature their works.
Internationally acclaimed local artists will also exhibit their creative works.
A number of photography maestros and photo enthusiasts are participating in different workshops and other photography-based programmes which will be held during the festival.
Apart from exhibitions at the galleries, photographs will be put on display on 10 rickshaw vans, in open spaces and at unconventional galleries like Kolpona Boarding, Shankhari Bazar and Chhobir Hat at University.
Shahidul Alam and Yasmin Eid from Lebanon were present at the inauguration ceremony.
Ricardo Rangel from Mozambique was handed over the lifetime achievement award at the festival.