Staff Correspondent:

Photojournalist ABM Rafiqur Rahman, BSA Director General Liaquat Ali Lucky, along with winners of ‘National Photo Contest’, pose for a photograph in the award-giving ceremony at Shilpakala Academy on Friday.

Thirteen photographers received the award of National Photography Contest-2024 titled “Unnayaner Bangladesh, Nandanik Bangladesh” (Bangladesh of Development, Aesthetic Bangladesh).

The prize distribution and closing ceremony of the competition were held at Jatiya Chitrashala Auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the capital on Friday.

Eminent photojournalist ABM Rafiqur Rahman was present as the guest of honour at the event with Director General of BSA Liaquat Ali Lucky in the chair. Syeda Mahbuba Karim, the director of the Fine Arts Department, delivered the welcome speech.

“Photography is now recognised worldwide, and currently plays an important role in national and international art exhibitions”, said Liaquat Ali Lucky in his speech, highlighting the role of photojournalists.

Later he handed over the prizes and certificates to the winning photographers.

Md Rizwanul Hasan got the 1st prize. Syed Mehedy Hasan received 2nd and Abdul Goni got 3rd prize. Also, 10 other photographers got honourary award. They are Shoaib Farooqui, Md. Saiful Islam Khan, Md. Ahnaf Al Yasir, Azim Khan Ronnie, Uhaising Marma, Lutfor Rahman, Md.Khorshed Alam, Dipu Malakar, Mohammad Rubel and Sabuj Howlader.

The photo competition “Unnayaner Bangladesh, Nandanik Bangladesh” was held in 2023.  A total of 638 photographers were submitted to the competition by 314 photographers. 235 photographs by 229 photographers were selected for the exhibition and competition through the judges. The judges were ABM Rafiqur Rahman, Abir Abdullah, SM Gorky and Monir Uzzaman.

The competition and exhibition were coordinated by Mahabubur Rahman, Assistant Director (Events and Exhibition), Fine Arts Department of Shilpakala Academy.

The photography exhibition was on display from 30 December 2023 to 31 January at Gallery No. 2 of the National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.