A talk on British photographer, writer and copyright lawyer Rupert Grey’s photography book ‘Homage to Bangladesh: A Memoir of a Time and a Place’ was held at Bookworm Bangladesh, a leading English bookstore at Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed Park, Gulshan of the capital city on Friday.
The author, Rupert Grey, spoke at the event, which was moderated by professor Imran Rahman of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh and supported by Voices Shaping Society.
The book is a powerful photographic tribute that challenges long-held stereotypes about Bangladesh since its independence in 1971.
Having first visited in 1992, Rupert Grey has returned several times and portrayed the rich social-cultural background of Bangladesh through its beautiful sites.
The book, depicting festivals including Victory Day and Chobi Mela, was published by Unicorn Publishing Group in 2023.
His book also documented the rock mine at Jaflong, the brickfields of Dhaka, old Dhaka, the River Buriganga and Keraniganj Jail.
Rupert Grey said that the book is a testament to Bangladesh, not history.
‘My acquaintances see Bangladesh, as do many of those who have not been there, through the prism of poverty, famine, floods and hopelessness. No doubt they read Henry Kissinger’s description of it in 1972 as an international basket case,’ said Grey, adding that this book is the answer, in photographs and words.
Grey’s relationship with Bangladesh began when he was invited by the British Council to attend Chobi Mela, an experience that deeply impacted his creative direction.
