On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka, the exhibition “Rise of a Nation” took center stage at the Zainul Gallery.
Curated by artist Zihan Karim and organized in collaboration with the Durjoy Bangladesh Foundation (DBF), this two-week-long exhibition showcased powerful historic photographs from the 1971 Liberation War, captured by renowned Indian photographer Raghu Rai.
The exhibition inaugurated on May 5th, 2024 by AKM Mozammel Haque, Minister for Liberation War Affairs of Bangladesh, as chief guest of the event. Dr. Sarwar Ali, founding trustee of the Liberation War Museum, graced the occasion as a special guest. Also in attendance were Dr. Rubana Huq, vice-chancellor of Asian University for Women, Mr. Anjan Chowdhury, director of Square Group, and Mr. Durjoy Rahman, Founder of Durjoy Bangladesh Foundation (DBF). The inauguration ceremony, presided over by film director Nasiruddin Yousuff Bacchu, marked a significant moment in Bangladesh’s historical narrative. In conjunction with the exhibition, the Durjoy Bangladesh Foundation released a book with same titled “Rise of a Nation.” This literary companion further enriches our understanding of the war’s impact and the indomitable spirit of a nation.
Born in 1942 in Jhang, Pakistan the then part of unpartitioned India, Raghu Rai embarked on a remarkable journey during the war 1971. As a member of the esteemed Magnum Photos, he fearlessly documented the conflict, walking alongside freedom fighters (Mukti Bahini) and Indian forces on the battlefield. His unpublished photographs vividly narrate the struggles and sacrifices of that pivotal period.
Rai’s images, which earned him the prestigious Padmashree award in 1972, hold immense significance for Bangladesh. They provide a valuable photographic record of the nation’s fight for independence. From poignant moments to raw emotions, each frame captures the essence of a nation’s resilience.
