Desk Report:
Alliance Française de Dhaka is pleased to host the 66th solo exhibition of renowned photographer Nasir Ali Mamun, “Photoseum: Life of Poetree”. The exhibition will open from 3 April 2026 and run until 16 April 2026. The exhibition presents a unique collection of black and white portraits and archival materials on two influential poets of Bangladesh, Shamsur Rahman (1929–2006) and Al Mahmud (1936–2019). The exhibition is organized to mark the bicentennial of photography.
The opening ceremony of the exhibition was held in the presence of distinguished guests. The guests of honor were Prothom Alo Editor and Publisher Matiur Rahman, French Ambassador to Bangladesh Hon. Jean-Marc Serre-Charle and renowned artist Monirul Islam.
For decades, Nasir Ali Mamun has created a unique visual archive by photographing the country’s leading cultural figures, which is considered a valuable document of Bangladesh’s intellectual heritage. This exhibition is dedicated to Shamsur Rahman, one of the leading voices of modern Bengali poetry, and Al Mahmud, who is deeply rooted in rural life, folk tradition and spirituality. Shamsur Rahman’s poetry reflects the feelings of urban life, humanity and the desire for freedom; on the other hand, Al Mahmud’s poetry creates a unique combination of rural reality, folk culture and spiritual thoughts with modern poetic style.
Mamun’s camera captures these two poets not only in their literary identities, but also as complex and deeply human beings. Shamsur Rahman’s portraits capture a silent contemplation, while Al Mahmud’s photographs reveal a deep emotionality formed by experience and introspection—where dignity and loneliness coexist.
A special attraction of the exhibition is the visual evidence of a historic meeting between the two poets. After a long-standing disagreement, their meeting was held on May 31, 2004, at Shamsur Rahman’s residence in Shyamoli, at the initiative of Nasir Ali Mamun. The photographs and videos captured at that time, which were later published in Prothom Alo, are presented in this exhibition—presenting a rare moment of literary reunion before the audience.
The exhibition is showcasing around 60 photographs and unpublished videos, which highlight the timeless beauty of black-and-white photography. The subtle use of light and shadow, restrained composition, and intimate framing help the audience connect deeply with the personalities and inner worlds of the poets.
Photoseum: Life of Poetree is not just a photography exhibition; it creates a deep dialogue between literature and visual arts, where the audience can connect with the poets’ presence, silence, and human nature beyond their words.
