‘Mamun’s photography blends art with cultural preservation’

Appreciating renowned photographer Nasir Ali Mamun’s photography, Ambassador of France to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet has said literature and arts have always held a central place in cultural life, shaping thought, identity, and dialogue across generations in France, as in Bangladesh.

“In the hands of a photographer such as Nasir Ali Mamun, photography becomes not only an artistic expression but also an act of cultural preservation,” said the Ambassador, adding that his black-and-white portraits reveal a remarkable mastery of light and shadow.

The inaugural ceremony of Mamun’s 66th solo exhibition was held at Alliance Française de Dhaka on Friday featuring rare portraits and moments of eminent poets Shamsur Rahman and Al Mahmud.
Editor and Publisher of Prothom Alo Matiur Rahman and artist Monirul Islam were, among others, present.

“Through simplicity of composition and careful framing, he invites us to look beyond appearances and to encounter the inner world of his subjects,” the French Ambassador said.

He said these are not merely photographs; they are quiet and powerful moments of reflection.

“This is especially evident in his portraits of two eminent poets, Shamsur Rahman and Al Mahmud. Through his lens, they appear not only as major literary figures, but as deeply human-thoughtful, sensitive, and introspective,” said the envoy.

He thinks this exhibition creates a dialogue between literature and visual art, between word and image, allowing them to experience poetry in a new and intimate manner.

The relationship between Mamun and Alliance Française de Dhaka is also particularly meaningful.

The Alliance continues to serve as a vital space for cultural exchange, creativity,
and intellectual engagement, said the French envoy.

He warmly congratulated Mamun for this remarkable body of work, and thanked the Alliance Française de Dhaka for hosting this important exhibition.

This exhibition brings together photography, poetry, memory, and history in a deeply compelling and meaningful way.

“As we reflect on nearly 200 years of photography, an art form with strong historical roots in France, we are reminded that photography is far more than a means of capturing images. It is a way of preserving life, emotion, and the passage of time,” he said.

Over the decades, the envoy said, it has evolved into a universal language.

The exhibition, being hekd at La Galerie, will continue till April 16.

The exhibition features an exceptional collection of black-and-white iconic portraits and archival materials dedicated to two of Bangladesh’s most influential poets, Shamsur Rahman (1929-2006) and Al Mahmud (1936-2019). This exhibition is dedicated to the bicentenary of photography.

Over the decades, Mamun has documented many of the country’s leading cultural figures.

His portraits are considered invaluable visual archives of Bangladesh’s intellectual heritage.

The exhibition pays tribute to Shamsur Rahman, a central figure in modern Bangladeshi poetry, and Al Mahmud, one of the most distinctive poetic voices rooted in the cultural and rural landscape of Bengal.

Rahman’s poetry reflects urban sensibility, existential concerns, and a strong commitment to humanism, freedom, and resistance against oppression.

In contrast, Al Mahmud’s work draws deeply from rural life, folklore, and spiritual traditions, blending modernist techniques with indigenous themes to create a uniquely Bengali poetic expression.

Through Mamun’s lens, these two towering literary figures are presented not only as poets but as complex human beings.

His portraits of Shamsur Rahman often capture a quiet intellectual solitude, with subtle lighting creating a contemplative atmosphere that reflects the poet’s moral depth and introspection.

In contrast, his images of Al Mahmud reveal a more textured emotional landscape-marked by experience, contemplation, and a sense of both dignity and isolation.

A highlight of the exhibition is the rare visual documentation of a historic meeting between the two poets, who had long remained estranged due to ideological differences.

On 31 May 2004, after persistent efforts by Mamun, they met at Rahman’s residence in Shyamoli, Dhaka.

During this encounter, Mamun conducted an interview while simultaneously capturing a series of photographs.

This significant moment, later published in Prothom Alo, is presented in the exhibition through photographs and video materials, offering visitors a rare glimpse into a historic literary reconciliation.

The exhibition showcases approximately 60 photographs and unpublished videos, emphasizing the timeless quality of black-and-white portraiture.

The interplay of light and shadow, combined with intimate framing and minimal backgrounds, allows viewers to engage deeply with the presence, personality, and inner lives of the poets.

More than a photographic display, Photoseum: Life of Poetree creates a dialogue between literature and visual art.

It invites audiences to connect with two iconic literary figures not only through their words but through their expressions, silences, and humanity.

Born on July 1, 1953, in Dhaka, Nasir Ali Mamun is widely regarded as the father of portrait photography in Bangladesh and celebrated as the “poet of the camera.”

Over five decades, he has captured the essence of artists, writers, thinkers, politicians, and cultural icons through his iconic black-and-white portraits, creating a visual archive of national and international significance.

Mamun has held 65 solo exhibitions worldwide and authored 20 books, amplifying the voices of Bangladesh’s creative and intellectual spheres.

His work as Photo Editor at Daily Prothom Alo and as personal photographer of Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus has further cemented his influence.