Photography
Capturing nature's beauty from above
Harun ur Rashid
Ever wondered how our beloved motherland looks from a high attitude? What does its horizontal scenic beauty look like from above? The stretching landscape with vast fields chequered by demarcating ridges? Or, the winding river-ways slanting across that stretch of lands? Even the apparently harsh concrete cityscape? Those who have not travelled on an aeroplane do not know. But Sharif Sarker's recent exhibition titled Pakhir Chokhey Bangladesh (Bangladesh from Above) at the Drik gallery must have given them an opportunity to experience some such moments of marvellous beauty.An amateur photographer, Sharif displayed 50 photographs that he had taken from planes and helicopters since 1996. A pilot of Bangladesh Air Force, Sharif has often had to go on missions onboard these aircrafts. And, as he puts it, 'I have simply blended my opportunity, professional skill and passion for photography to portray my country from a different perspective.' In his enterprise, Sharif took pictures mostly of the country's natural beauty. Besides, he also captured moments of joy, surprise and business--all portrayed through different activities of people. A photograph, for example, shows a rural youth greeting the passengers on a helicopter while it is taking off, the boy's hands are stretched sideways just as if in desire of flying. The boy's wonderment, his dream of flying like a bird are comprehensible in his posture. Two photos show people busy in their work--some are drying red chillies, others laying dyed red clothes on the ground for drying. The large canvas of the pictures seems to reflect the enormous importance of these ordinary works for these people. Nature has been portrayed in Sharif's photographs in its variety of phenomenal moods. The most striking photo in this regard is perhaps the Maheshkhali. The picture shows the estuary of the river Maheshkhali and the Bay of Bengal. The colours of the two water bodies make a clear distinction when seen from above. The deep blue of the Bay contrasts the muddy blue water of the river. Interestingly, a trawler is seen in the picture plying exactly along the line where the two currents mingle. The photo Sand Boats depict a curious design created by the line of resting boats. The semi-oval line and the different bright colours of the boats create an image of a beautiful necklace. Concrete structures also acquire wonderful effects in Sharif's photos. The Smritisoudho at Savar and the Lalbag Fort are projected with their entire area, which brings up another perspective of these urban structures' beauty. Often the photographs of the same place taken at different times show changes in its surroundings. And thus Sharif's photos become geologically strong documents of our environment. Pakhir Chokhey Bangladesh was Sharif's first solo exhibition. Earlier, with two other photographers he participated in a group display in celebration of the centennial of manned flights. Sharif has already earned recognition from important sectors. His photographs have been used in Banglapaedia, the national encyclopaedia of our country.
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