TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka, September 2008

TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

05 September 2008

"Through the Lens: Bangladesh" Group in Flickr arranged a nice photowalk on the 5th morning. Its already Ramadan. So, its never going to be easy to organise something like this. But credit goes to Shudipto for the arrangement and also to Faisal Bhai for the continuous support. It was a great success. Although there were 15 participants for the group shooting, others were missed. Some struggled to wake up timely; its never easy to recover from a the early morning Seheri.

08:30AM was the start. Basila was the place for the tour. This is a place east of Rayer Bazaar of Dhaka City and currently the construction site for the third bridge across the River Buriganga. In fact, Buriganga at this point meets with the River Turag and goes further north, kissing the eastern edge of Dhaka.

From TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

Making the best use of the green cover.........

From TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

Bakhor-khani....... holding on to the tradition.......

From TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

He has a bridge to build........

From TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

On the slopes of fate..........

From TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

Start of a dream......... the Third Buriganga Bridge under construction......

From TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

The boatman looks at those unfinished pillars and thinks.... how long would he be able to row.........


We were there at Basila in no time; though it must be said that the road through Rayer Bazaar was nothing less than a minefield. We arrived at Basila without any casualty more severe than mental eagerness to start shooting. And it really started as soon as our reserved vehicle stopped moving. All guns blazing; it was sight to see. The locals spelled awe and took notice. Work was going on in full swing on the bridge's Basila end. We had a nice shootout opportunity at the base of the bridge and at the nice little "ghat" of Basila.

From TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

Boats....... boats of colour......

From TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

Hardened faces....... 01

From TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

Hardened faces........ 02

From TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

Hardened faces....... 03

From TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

Hardened faces....... 04


The sky was gloomy from the word go. But as long as it wasn't raining, everyone was busy utilising their photographic gears. We were crossing the river on a boat by around 9:15AM. The motor boat made short work of the river. The Buriganga here was in full blossom. The rainy season was way behind us, but part of the country was experiencing flooding. The other parts were also seeing the rivers rise. The Buriganga here devoured parts of the other bank, which is called Char Washpur. We even were able to see some signboards in the middle of the river!

From TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

Curse of our times........

From TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

"This road is closed"!!...... you gotta be joking!!

From TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

Waiting for his shift to come........ Char Washpur

From TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

Colours on the water.......

From TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

A new beginning.........


Though many boats were using small sails and rows, taking a small step towards saving the planet's environment, we could see the whole effort being undone by the huge chimneys going up from the brick-fields in the distance. The brick-fields were mostly under water though because of the rising river. The small sail-boats were also making the best use of recycled banners. The banners made some really colourful sails.

From TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

Can you do this??

From TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

Colourful times.....

From TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

Just hanging on...... (credit goes to Nayan Bhai for locating this!!)

From TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

Generations.......

From TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

Here comes Mommy.........


Anyway, the photowalk continued through the rural setting of Char Washpur on the other bank. Small natural objects drew the attention of many and there was no shortage of enthusiasm to shoot those little targets. And as usual, there were the little versions of humans moving around us. Children presented themselves as the best subject to shoot. The puddles of stagnant rainwater here and there provided ample opportunity for them to show their little skills in swimming and diving; even though this invited some harsh treatment from their mothers.

From TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

The builders of the land........

From TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

And the leaders too....... of the future, that is....

From TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

Hardened faces........ 05


Boats were everywhere. As if to prove that Bangladesh is a country of rivers, these boats presented themselves in various forms and colours. Almost all of the photographers snapped boats to their heart's content. Day labourers giving their best labour to earn a decent meal, were also our targets. This country is built on their sweat; they deserve to be there in any scene, in any photoshoot.

From TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

Find me if you can!!

From TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

Colours of Nature......

From TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

This is no radio tower!!

From TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

I can do this........

From TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

Lets do this together.....

From TTL Photowalk: Basila & Char Washpur, Dhaka

Just a little too late for this Olympics......


The photowalk went on for more than hour. By around half past ten in the morning it was time to board the boat once more. The whole tour was over by around 11:00AM. Thats short! Yes, its short. But the short history of the photowalk should have a long memory; a memory strengthened by the moments that were captured by all those creative eyes.

The biggest gain from this experience was the meeting of the people; the real people. An online group always strives to achieve something like this. Previous photowalks were also prized by everyone because of their ability to introduce the people behind the icons. Really can't wait for the next photowalk.