Past glory in frames
Photo exhibition on Baliyati Palace
Fayza Haq
One of the best ways to document the exquisite grandeur of old buildings is to photograph them. Muktochokh, a photography club, has done and the outputs are on display at the ongoing exhibition at the Zoom Gallery of Alliance Francaise. The subject of the photos is Baliyati Palace a compound that includes seven south-facing buildings stretching over an area of 16 square kilometres -- built by a local aristocrat between mid-nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century. Gobindo Ram Saha, the head of the family was an affluent merchant towards the end of the eighteenth century; he and his descendents were known in the region as "zamindars".One of the photographs, taken by Hasan, captures a section of the palace in a mirror of a motorcycle. In it one can see pillars, a veranda with balustrades with their details. The reflection also brings in larger sections of the building beyond. This fraction of the beauty of the seven buildings is admirable for the ingenious way the photograph has been taken. Anisul Haq has taken a shot of the entrance of the palace. The photo also includes an old man in "dhuti", walking by with steady strides. The pillars hold up the statue of two lions with swinging tails. The surrounding trees, hedges and ponds have also been included in the photo through an arch. Details of carvings of angels and snakes, as if they are protecting the palace, have been brought in Wasim Haider's work. Details of the interlacing flowers and branches have been framed in the shot. The surrounding massive pillars and mangrove trees have also been included in the composition. Through a small three-cornered opening in one side of the palace wall is seen the image of a perched bird. One can see a part of a dome too. This picture was taken by Haider Chowdhury. A photo by Sohel brings in the shadow of a veranda, highlighting the intricate details of the metal and cement work. The coloured picture is quite pale despite the touch of pink and blue; in that it has a black and white effect. Jashim Uddin's photograph shows photographers from another group working on the same project. This picture has been taken through an opening in the walls of the palace. Focusing the frolicking light and shade on a ventilator is another interesting photograph that brings in the impression of a flower. In what used to be the quarters for the domestic help, back in the palace's heyday, people from the neighbouring poorer sections now reside. Bricks are exposed as the plaster from the walls has fallen. The photographs are sure to stir up the viewers' curiosity and satiate their aesthetic senses. The exhibition ends today.
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