Ekushey February, Dhaka, February 2009

Remembering the Language Martyrs

Dhaka, Bangladesh
21 February 2009

It was 21 February. Spring. The month of Falgun in Bengali calendar. A special day. This is the day when young voices refused to bend in front of the then Pakistani Government’s decision to reject Bangla in favour of Urdu. Streets wore reddened, but the voices were so strong that the despotic government had to let go. That day of 1952 came alive once again. The sacrifices of that day are the reasons why we can talk in Bengali today. As usual, the day was celebrated with great enthusiasm. The souls of Salam, Rafiq, Barqat, Jabbar were there somewhere; watching us; shedding tears from the heavens. It was a day of remembrance and mourning, as much as a celebration of the results of their sacrifices. And its no longer a celebration of a historic day alone; its not just a day for Bangladesh; it’s the International Mother Language Day. This is the day when we celebrate the privilege of being able to speak in our mother tongue. This is a day of global significance.

The main celebrations were, as usual, around Shaheed Minar, the monument in remembrance of the sacrifices of the language martyrs. I haven’t gone there for many years, mainly because of the deteriorating security issues. And this was the first time I went there with a camera. I started from Palasey intersection sometime after 7:00AM. And there was a huge crowd waiting there. I slowly moved towards the altar along with the massive crowd. This time, the security situation was even more heart-breaking. We had to go through so many checkpoints and searches that I even forgot why I went there!

The reason behind high security was several attacks by zealots in recent years and their threats. Although their main wings have been crushed in recent times, splinter groups still posed a significant threat. Security measures on that day was especially tight because of an incident the earlier day, where a captured zealot was able to blow up a grenade just before a press conference. The captured zealots leaked enough information to ring the alarm bells.

From Ekushey February 2009

For them, its a day when they can play with flags........ street children playing in from TSC at Dhaka University

From Ekushey February 2009

A contrast of tradition and globalisation.......... Raju Memorial at TSC at Dhaka University.........


Anyway, once I reached the altar, I found out that it wasn’t every gentleman’s game to break out from the crowd and go for some photography on the altar. I could see other photographers having a great time shooting there. But I couldn’t bypass the seemingly tough stance of the security people posted there. I came back disappointed, and met with my other photographer friends who spent the night at the altar.

From Ekushey February 2009

They would carry the flags........01
Some of the visitors were really small.... but they kept their above others, enjoying a great view......

From Ekushey February 2009

They would carry the flags........02

From Ekushey February 2009

They would carry the flags........03

From Ekushey February 2009

Tough security measures scared everyone........


My friends from “Through the Lens: Bangladesh” (TTL) group of Flickr arranged a photowalk for the night and the day. They documented the whole show from the preparations to the start of celebration at midnight, to the flood of people right after dawn. They had obtained security permission from the authorities, which I lacked. After a sleepless night, they still had the energy for yet another stint. All I needed to do was to join them. This time, it was around 9:00AM and the crowd grew even bigger. But this time, I was with my other photographer friends. Kamal did a great job as vanguard. Even though we were searched more than once, it was still less than what I had to go through during my first attempt. We were able to talk through. The situation became even better at the altar as we were allowed to go in! Wow!! That was some improvement since my last attempt! I was finally in the open. And my cameras were at work!

From Ekushey February 2009

We remember the martyrs............01

From Ekushey February 2009

We remember the martyrs............02

From Ekushey February 2009

We remember the martyrs............03

From Ekushey February 2009

You'll always guide us............01

From Ekushey February 2009

You'll always guide us............02

From Ekushey February 2009

You'll live among our hearts; in our thoughts; through generations..........01

From Ekushey February 2009

You'll live among our hearts; in our thoughts; through generations..........02

From Ekushey February 2009

Words of remembrance..........

From Ekushey February 2009

Alphabets............

From Ekushey February 2009

The map..........

From Ekushey February 2009

Designs..........

From Ekushey February 2009

Small, but meaningful..........

From Ekushey February 2009

Big punch in small bag..........01

From Ekushey February 2009

Big punch in small bag..........02

From Ekushey February 2009

Part of the scare..........
This is the latest addition to the security forces...... SWAT....... trained in the United States and armed to their teeth, their presence was a real show of force.... but they were also responsible for the scare on people's faces.......



We just went past security people and entered the altar. I had already packed my shoes and stowed into the empty camera bag. It’s a long tradition to take off the shoes as a show of respect for the martyrs. The whole altar was in colours! It was some sight! I hadn’t been lucky enough to see Shaheed Minar like this before. I was right in the middle of flowers. Flowers everywhere! I had to watch my steps. There were volunteers at work, who were ‘processing’ the flowers. Using those flowers, they were decorating the altar with beautiful designs, signs, maps, writing, and symbols. A crowd of photographers filled the very little space left on the altar. I was just one of many. I knew many of them; but some were not known. There were many professionals, as were many amateurs like me.

I went on shooting there until I’ve found lighting conditions too harsh for good photography. It was around 10:30AM, when we finally broke off. It was a special day for me, as it was my first real photography at Shaheed Minar. I never had a camera with me when I had visited the place. This was the first time my memories of Shaheed Minar were captured in frames. I just can’t wait for next year.