Our recent Monthly Knowledge Sharing Session was a thought-provoking event that delved into the history and evolution of Bengali cinema. The session featured Ahmad Bashir, an acclaimed novelist and researcher, who shared insights from his book “বাংলাদেশের চলচ্চিত্রঃ দেশকাল ও শিল্পরূপ”. He was joined by a panel of esteemed discussants, including Gazi Arafat Uz-Zaman Markony, Assistant Professor at Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University; Dr. Kajol Rashid Shahin, journalist, writer, and researcher; and Faisal Ahmed, writer and researcher. Their combined perspectives enriched the discussion and brought depth to the conversation around the development of cinema in Bangladesh.
Ahmad Bashir discussed the evolution of Bengali films from 1947 to 2017, highlighting the transformation of cinema in Dhaka across decades. While মুখ ও মুখোশ is widely recognized as the first Bengali film produced in East Pakistan, the discussion also touched on Bengali films created prior to that time – showing how the roots of Bengali cinema extend even deeper into history.
The discussion shed light on how Bengali films have reflected themes such as politics, the Liberation War, religion, and other social issues relevant to the lives of people in this region. The speakers also explored the shift in storytelling styles, visual representation, and the cinematic portrayal of everyday struggles and aspirations. Specific scenes from different films were discussed to illustrate the changing dynamics of Bangladeshi cinema over time.
This engaging session offered a unique lens to understand the interplay between cinema and society, leaving participants with a renewed appreciation for the role of films in capturing history, identity, and collective memory.
