# Chobi Mela International Photography Festival

Chobi Mela (Bengali: ছবি মেলা) is a biennial international festival of photography held in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Founded in 2000 by Bangladeshi photographer and activist Shahidul Alam, the festival is organized by Drik Picture Library and Pathshala South Asian Media Institute. It provides a platform for photographers worldwide, particularly from the Majority World (Asia, Africa, and Latin America), to exhibit their work, engage in workshops, and discuss pressing social issues through visual narratives.

## History

Chobi Mela was launched on 30 November 2000 by Shahidul Alam with the aim of exploring the semiotics of contemporary photographic practice and fostering a deeper understanding of visual storytelling within the industry and among the public. Organized by Drik Picture Library and Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, the festival emerged as a regional platform to showcase photography from Asia and beyond.
Chobi Mela has had ten editions by 2019 and adapting to digital formats with a special "Shunno" edition in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

## Team

Chobi Mela is managed by a team under Shahidul Alam, who serves as the festival director. Key roles include Tanzim Wahab as chief curator, responsible for artistic direction, and Munem Wasif as curator, contributing to exhibition and program development. ASM Rezaur Rahman is the festival manager, while Sarker Protick is an associate curator. The team collaborates through Drik Picture Library and Pathshala South Asian Media Institute to execute the biennial event.

## Themes and editions

Chobi Mela is structured around a central theme for each edition, reflecting global and regional concerns through photographic narratives. The festival has completed ten biennial editions from 2000 to 2019, with an additional special edition in 2021. Below is a list of its editions and themes:
* Chobi Mela I (2000): "Differences" – Launched on 30 November 2000, focusing on diverse perspectives in photography.
* Chobi Mela II (2002): "Exclusion" – Explored social and cultural exclusion.
* Chobi Mela III (2004): "Resistance" – Highlighted resistance to oppression, beginning 6 December 2004.
* Chobi Mela IV (2006): "Boundaries" – Examined physical and metaphorical boundaries, noted for its international scope.
* Chobi Mela V (2008): "Freedom" – Celebrated various dimensions of freedom.
* Chobi Mela VI (2011): "Dreams" – Focused on aspirations and visions.
* Chobi Mela VII (2013): "Fragility" – Addressed societal vulnerabilities.
* Chobi Mela VIII (2015): "Intimacy" – Ran from 23 January to 5 February 2015, featuring 31 artists from 22 countries.
* Chobi Mela IX (2017): "Transition" – Held in South Dhaka, focusing on change and transformation.
* Chobi Mela X (2019): "Place" – Marked two decades, running from 8 February to 1 March 2019 with 33 exhibitions by 44 artists from 21 countries.
* Chobi Mela Shunno (2021): "Self-reflection" – A special online edition from 19 February to 5 March 2021, adapting to the pandemic with digital content and a focus on South Asian artists.
The "Shunno" edition (meaning "zero" in Bangla) was a response to global challenges, emphasizing digital integration and multidisciplinary practices.

## Activities and events

Chobi Mela hosts a range of activities that engage both participants and the public, including:
* Exhibitions: Showcasing works by photographers from diverse countries, often held across multiple venues in Dhaka. For instance, Chobi Mela VIII (2015) featured 31 artists from 22 countries, while Chobi Mela X (2019) included 33 exhibitions by 44 artists from 21 countries.
* Workshops: Led by acclaimed photographers and educators, offering hands-on learning for emerging artists.
* Lectures and Discussions: Panels exploring the societal impact of photography, such as the 2021 artist talks with Sabih Ahmed and Sohrab Hura.
* Portfolio Reviews: Providing feedback opportunities for photographers to refine their work.
* Mobile Exhibitions: A signature feature where rickshaw vans display photography across Dhaka, making art accessible to diverse communities, including those with limited literacy.
* Artist Talks and Film Screenings: Offering insights into visual storytelling, enhanced in 2021 with a podcast series curated by Munem Wasif.
* Chobi Mela Fellowship: Commissions local Bangladeshi artists to create site-specific works tied to each edition's theme, fostering regional talent.

## Impact and significance

Chobi Mela's thematic focus—addressing issues like exclusion, resistance, and transition—encourages dialogue on social and cultural challenges.
The festival's outreach, particularly through mobile exhibitions, democratizes access to art in Bangladesh, engaging communities beyond urban centers.