26/07/2026
Today marks the 28th death anniversary of Manzoor Alam Beg, a visionary whose life and work laid the foundation of modern photography of Bangladesh.
Manzoor Alam Beg was not only a photographer, he was a teacher, organiser, author and institution builder whose lifelong commitment transformed the photographic landscape of the country. In an era when photography was not well-respected as an art or profession, he committed himself to building a culture of visual storytelling that would inspire generations to come to see the camera as a tool for creativity, education and social documentation.
Beg, who is often considered the father of the photographic movement in Bangladesh, founded the Bangladesh Photographic Society (BPS) in 1976, which was the first national platform for photographers to learn, collaborate and exhibit their work. His vision also witnessed the birth of Begart Institute of Photography (BIP), one of the first institutions in Bangladesh to provide photographic education, from where innumerable photographers were trained and mentored formally. With these projects he created a lasting ecosystem which still influences Bangladeshi photography today.
In addition to his institutional achievements, Manzoor Alam Beg was a writer and teacher of much output. He wrote many books and articles on photography, bringing technical knowledge, aesthetics and visual ethics to Bangla readers at a time when such resources were rare. He was an international photographic judge and representative of Bangladesh at international exhibitions. He bridged the gap between the country's photographic community and the rest of the world and inspired local photographers to aim for excellence through discipline, integrity and artistic vision.
But his greatest legacy is in the people he inspired. Through workshops, exhibitions, competitions and mentorship, Beg nurtured generations of photographers who have gone on to document Bangladesh's history, culture and people with honesty and creativity. He considered photography not just as an art form, but as a way to preserve memory, promote understanding and serve society. We have lost Manzoor Alam Beg, but his vision will live on in every photography club, every classroom, every exhibition and darkroom that nurtures new talent. His work reminds us that institutions can outlive individuals and that real leadership is not a matter of personal achievement but of the opportunities created for others.
As a member of Dhaka University Photographic Society (DUPS), we pay tribute to this extraordinary pioneer with deep respect and gratitude. On his death anniversary we remember not only his great photographs but also his life-long dedication to institution building, education of photographers and development of a flourishing culture of photography in Bangladesh. His legacy continues to inspire us to photograph with knowledge, integrity and purpose and ensure that the foundations he built will guide the generations to come.
Content Writer: Mafrid Kabir
