‘Bengal Photography’s Reality Quest’: A discourse with Naeem Mohaiemen
The Department of English and Modern Languages at North South University hosted a discourse series, titled "Bengal Photography's Reality Quest", featuring esteemed writer and researcher Naeem Mohaiemen on March 15 at their auditorium Audi801. The discussion revolved around his book of the same title, exploring the intricate relationship between history and photography, with a particular focus on the liberation struggles of the 1960s and 1970s.
The event commenced with introductory remarks by Mohaiemen, who extended a warm welcome to the participants, guests, and audience. Setting the stage for the discussion, he provided a historical overview of Bangladeshi identity in the 1980s and 1990s, touching on the consequences of archival materials falling into private hands. The author shared a personal anecdote about his father which followed the screening of his documentary, Rankin Street, 1953 (2013), chronicling his discovery of hundreds of photographic negatives taken by his father in 1953 that captured family members, relatives, and other memorabilia from that era.
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These personal archives were juxtaposed with historically significant images, such as the iconic 1953 portrait of Richard and Mildred Loving, which later played a pivotal role in the abolition of miscegenation laws across various US states. This contrast sparked a broader discussion on the political dimensions of perception, examining how identity shapes the socio-historical interpretation of photographs. The session also delved into critical concepts such as photography ethics, and the politics of permission in image-making.
Mohaiemen then introduced his second film, Abu Ammar Is Coming (2016) which illuminated a forgotten chapter of our history—the participation of Bangladeshi soldiers in the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1981. This led to a discussion on opacity politics and the prevalent tendency among Bangladeshi audiences to equate intellectual depth with Western thought, often favoring linear, simplified narratives over complex artistic expression.
Following this, he read excerpts from his book, Bengal Photography's Reality Quest (Nokta, 2025), addressing themes such as the fetishisation of Eastern cultures by the West and the marginalisation of Bangladeshi minorities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Following this, the session transitioned into an insightful conversation between Mohaiemen and Dr Nazia Manzoor, Chair of the Department of English and Modern Languages at North South University and the Literary Editor at The Daily Star, exploring the art of storytelling through images.
The event concluded with a thought-provoking Q&A session, where students and other members of the audience posed compelling questions on a wide variety of issues such as the evolution of photography in Bangladesh, the role of Bangladeshi citizens supporting the PLO War in Lebanon, the hegemony of Western narratives, and the importance of embracing ambiguity in historical discourse.
Throughout the session, Mohaiemen's passionate, spontaneous, and engaging demeanour captivated the audience, fostering a deeper understanding of storytelling through images and the ways in which photography serves as a bridge between memory and history. His exploration of these themes not only helps expand the understanding of photography but also the ongoing journey of unpacking historical narratives.
Naeem Mohaiemen is writer, researcher, filmmaker, and head of the photography concentration at Columbia University, New York, and the author of books such as Midnight's Third Child (Nokta, 2020) and Prisoners of Shothik Itihash (Kunsthalle Basel, 2014) He has also co-edited anthologies such as Solidarity Must Be Defended. As the head of the photography concentration at Columbia University, he brings a unique perspective on storytelling through images.
Antara Noshin and Arib Zulkarnain are undergraduate students at North South University.
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