Zaid's Corner

"A Moment In Time" and our participation...

2010-05-03T12:52:00.006+06:00

Lens is a blog by New York Times. They came up with this amazing idea of "A Moment in Time", a single moment when photographers around the world click images where ever they are located and send it to the NY Times to make a global mosaic.

The time which was fixed for this great photo session was U.T.C. 1500hrs on 2nd May 2010, which was 2100hrs in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Raka and I participated. The event was open for everyone, pros or amateurs or anyone with even a cell phone camera could participate. Our teacher Abir bhai sent out an email from Pathshala to us a few weeks earlier. Thanks to Abir bhai :-). Also thanks to Shadheen for giving the timely reminder :-). And of course a special thanks to the Lens team for providing such a great opportunity for people around the globe to connect in this amazing way :-).

We went up to the roof of the high rise we live in and I captured the traffic below. While Raka captured the moment by documenting my participation.

The following images are what we submitted...

Traffic on the streets of Dhaka has become increasingly stressful.

Photographer participating in "A Moment in Time" project

"Dear Mayor..."

2010-03-26T20:35:00.004+06:00

Dear Mayor,

As I am uploading this post to my blog, I am paranoid that the electricity supply may get interrupted to accommodate the 2000+ megawatt load shedding, and that my drained out UPS connected to my unreplenished IPS may not last long enough to provide power needed to complete this task.

While thousands of people in Dhaka share similar experiences on a daily basis, I see that the City is celebrating Shadhinota Dibosh with extravagant alok shojja. I wonder how many watts are being burnt to beautify your office building upholding muktijuddher chetona.

Albeit it is important to celebrate this day, but not in this wasteful manner when there is such a major crisis. I write to you pleading that the City should be more considerate and conserve electricity for more productive usage.

Sincerely,
Zaid Islam
Ward No.54
Dhaka

Nagar Bhaban
house of Dhaka City Corporation
and office of the Mayor
Independence Day
26th March 2010

I am a devotee too, but what's this???

2010-02-23T21:26:00.008+06:00

"Yes, its a public holiday."
"What are you saying?"
"Yes, its marked red on the calendar.... for the children."

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, its true, we have a public holiday on 17th March 2010. I mention the year cause I am not sure whether the pendulum of power will keep the same party in office next tenure. Bongobondhu's birthday will be celebrated nationwide.

Don't read me wrong, by birth I inherited devotion for our great leader. Both my mother's side and my father's side of the family are full of Mujib devotees. So inevitably I grew up with a strong attachment to Bongobondhu. Though I have no memory of him as I was only 8 months old when he was assassinated, I carry great respect for this charismatic man.

Couple of months ago I attended the Zainul Uthshob at Charukola (Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka). I have been familiar with this festival since the mid 90s. For some years I have been criticising some of the aggressive corporate sponsorship that goes on at these events. But this year I was impressed by the small logos. One had to look very close to find who paid for decorating the stage at the Bokultola.

Anyway... a friend came up to me that day behind the Bokultola "Zaid bhai can I take a portrait of you please?". This fellow photojournalist was on assignment by DrikNews to photograph people from different walks of life and ask them what they want to see accomplished in 2010. "Dui hajar dosh e apni ki chan?". Zainul Uthshob is observed on 29th December, with the new year approaching my fellow photographer picked this event as a good hunting ground. I thought why me, yet I agreed. I said "Sure, but will your editor publish what I have to say?". He didn't want to think too much, seemed like he just wanted to get it over with. Later that evening I got a phone call from DrikNews asking me what my statement was about, what it meant. "Zaid we are trying to understand this statement our photographer got from you today, can you please help?". So I explained what I meant by "BONGOBONDHUDESH CHAI!"

Obviously the editor didn't put up my portrait because of this strange, erratic, eccentric, treasonous statement I made. My frustration expressed with sarcasm was a bit too radical I guess for a news agency to publish. In 2010 I wanted to see the name of the country changed... from Bangladesh to Bongobondhudesh. Maybe some of the cellphone images below will explain why.

I hope this post will not be misunderstood, for which I get booked.

Bongobondhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novo Theatre
Bijoy Sarani, Tejgaon, Dhaka 1215
(Formerly known as Bhashani Novo Theatre)

I recently did a wedding assignment at this venue which was
"Formerly Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre".
I wonder whether the bridegroom had to reprint the invites.

Anyone heard of "Bongobondhu Boimela" before?
Organised by the "Bongobondhu Boimela Porishod".
(photographed at the SAARC fountain traffic lights)

I found this posted by "Bongobondhu Dental Porishod"
on a tree next to the Robindroshorobor amphitheatre
next to Dhanmondi Lake, observing "Shodesh Prottaborton Dibosh".

Finally... I found this at the "formerly Unilever Patch".
Some hundreds of trees were fell a few years ago at PanthoKunjo
to create this beautification triangle between Pan Pacific Hotel,
Hotel Sundarban, and the SAARC fountain.
It seemed Unilever used to own it, until the commencement
of 12th South Asian Games 2010. That's when the mascots took over.
Checking out the floodlit triangle with Bongobondhu's massive portrait
looking over it, I was curious whether the games were first started
during Bongobondhu's era. My research found that the games had started
in 1983, eight years after his assassination. Then what's the connection?

But of course! All one had to do was turn the corner to see
another youthful portrait from 1940 of Sheikh Mujib,
with Bangla text saying "Football was his favourite game".

There is a story how Mujib got this legendary title. In 1969 he triumphantly returned home from prison after a mass uprising by the people against the Ayub regime. On this day 23rd Feb 1969, he was titled Bongobondhu at a mass reception organised by Sarbadaliya Chhatra Sangram Parishad (All Parties Students Action Committee) at Racecourse Maidan, now the Suhrawardy Uddyan. This historical spot is not far from the Bokultola under which I made that painful statement.

We have to stop trivializing this title, bestowed upon him with great emotion.

In the name of Ibrahim...

2009-11-28T14:39:00.001+07:00

Arabic at ZIA

2009-09-17T02:39:00.005+07:00

What is today terminal 1 at Zia International Airport (ZIA) is actually the extension that was made later. Terminal 2 used to be the original building. My curiosity is with the Arabic neon sign outside the building. What does it say? Why Arabic?

Keep our city tidy & clean!

2009-06-26T13:25:00.004+07:00

Mayoral candidate...

one vandal asking another for a vote

Rayyan spins while Onadi sings

2009-06-15T03:30:00.002+06:00

The huge krishnochura tree at Charukola in Dhaka is no more; it fell during a storm in May 2009. But there are many memories of it, of times we spent under it.

An evening last year Rayyan spins fire.
Onadi renders a song of Lalon Phokir lamenting the Rasul showing up lighting the path and then leaving, begging his presence again.
While I... am on my cell phone creating this.

16 Aug 2008, Charukola (Faculty of Fine Arts), University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Another Fallen Krishnochura

2009-05-04T10:00:00.003+06:00

Charukola, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka has lots of greenery with old trees. These old trees come under attack by different elements every now and then. This old Krishnochura fell yesterday during this year's much delayed Kal Boishakhi storm.

Raka collected a branch from it for my mother.

Bizarre

2009-03-24T00:28:00.002+06:00

Does anyone remember the Colonel being awarded with the Bir title?

2009-03-23T13:16:00.001+06:00

Cell phone photo

Charukola, March 2009

Water for Fire

2009-03-13T16:18:00.004+06:00

About an hour and a half ago a fire started on the 17th and 18th floor of Bashundhara City mall on Panthapath. The fire service acted immediately. Close by is a huge source of water at fountain of the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel.

Democracy

2009-01-18T01:13:00.009+06:00

Lux, Channel I, and Asiatic JWT should all learn a lesson on democracy from our Election Commission's successful 9th Parliamentary polling process!

Note 01:
In the December 2008 polls of the 9th Parliamentary elections of Bangladesh, the Election Commission has introduces the X- no vote. If a voter does not agree with any of the contestants, s/he can still exercise the right to vote by choosing "no one above" and stamp the X.

Note 02:
Lux and Channel i, two top brands in Bangladesh, have come together to create the most aspirational and exciting brand of activities for young women of Bangladesh. Lovingly known as LCSS, the formal name for this contest is Lux Channel i Superstar- a TV extravaganza and a show all wrapped into an annual happening for young women of Bangladesh to look forward to. These young women love to play with their beauty, want to flaunt their inner and external beauty and aspire to become that magical mix called Luxness.

Disclaimer: Images used for this art piece are photographs of a promotional advertisement for LCSS, being the property of Asiatic JWT, who represent Unilever Bangladesh. Some of the text used above (Note 02) has been borrowed from LCSS website (© Unilever Bangladesh 2008) and paraphrased. The manipulated image and text has no copyright what so ever. The freedom for usage, distribution, reproduction, etc. has been fully authorised by the artist.
This piece is not in any way affiliated to LCSS, Lux, Channel I, Unilever Bangladesh, Asiatic JWT, or any of their partner organisations, and is not an advertisement for LCSS or any of its events.

Red Wine

2009-01-07T00:27:00.005+06:00

Yo striker...
yo soldier...
yo devil's own
Yes you!
Looking at your lousy smile on my screen brings one to my face.
Cross over I tell you!
You know you want to
O loyal one.
Change sides I say!
Cross over!
or just stay away!
... stay away!

BREAKING NEWS- Landslide...

2008-12-31T02:03:00.007+06:00

The 9th parliamentary election in Bangladesh took place across the country on 29th December 2008 in 299 out of 300 constituencies. The major alliance of Awami League and other parties (Mohajot) had a landslide victory. The four party alliance of Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Jamat Islami and others took a bad defeat. The losers didn't waste time to call press conferences and talk about how it was not a fair polling process, while the rest of the world is celebrating cause Bangladesh finally has been able to hold a corruption free polling process. hmmm...

Life as usual goes on on the night streets of Dhaka. Even tough the city corporation has not cleaned up the posters, beef on foot still makes to the butchers' for the meat hungry population.

Night of 30th December 2008, quarter past midnight (technically 31st Dec) in front of Ispahani Girls School in Mogbazar, my polling centre.

Sorry I can't show you the portrait of the guy I met when I went to vote. His vote was already casted when he arrived at the centre. I ran and got my camera which I had left outside the centre with a friend. As I returned the voter was gone (or sent out), I could not find him anywhere.

5 Days till showdown!

2008-12-24T03:05:00.006+06:00

Ballot boxes and paper are being distributed at polling centres across the country in Bangladesh. There are creatures contesting for parliamentary seats across the country... some shouldn't be.

Protibaad

2008-10-20T12:03:00.003+06:00

...ongoing protest at Charukola Bokultola
Faculty of Fine Arts
University of Dhaka

...akasher thikanae chithi likho...

2008-09-27T04:44:00.001+06:00

write a letter addressed to the sky

Dhaka 4:15am, 09/09/08

2008-09-19T04:15:00.000+06:00

Alhamdulillah!

2008-08-24T17:05:00.009+06:00

Who am I praising?

It is an Arabic phrase, meaning all praises to God, praises to the Lord.... like Halelu Jah. I believe it is not only used by Muslims, but also Arabic speaking people of other religions, people of the book.

Like cosmocentric people of our generation, I too have been trying to understand Lalon Phokir's songs/sayings over the last few years. He talks about many things, but mainly mankind, manobdhormo (the religion of man), spirituality, how to lead a life on the path, the Guru (master), the body, and how the Divine resides within it. Then of course we have our own interpretations.

One of the greatest challenges I face is my understanding of language. I know two languages I can speak, read and write in, Bangla and English. But I do not have a good grasp of either. I am constantly looking for the meaning of words in both languages.

Lalon Phokir uses many languages in his lyrics. Bangla no doubt, using cholti (colloquial) suddho (literary) ancholic (regional) with amazing poetic skill where a layman connects to the metaphysical message in his songs with ease. Of course the tune and the music has great impact on comprehension; and bhaab (mood) is vital. He uses Arabic, Urdu, Pharsi, English, and I think also Hebrew in his compositions. So, to understand these rich messages one needs to study these lingual links. But there is something much simpler... and that is bhaab. Lalon Phokir's songs are bhaab gaan, rendered in a particular mood. If one can catch that, the mind and body connects together with the pure state of the soul, and not much else is required.

One of the songs is about how Man is created in God's own image. We know about the Quranic and Biblical descriptions of creation. Though they are similar, there have been wars by people who interpret it differently. Bible says image, Quran says Nur. Anyway, so the song talks about how Adom (Adam) was created by the Doyamoe (Most Merciful) in his own surat (image), or else why would all the phereshta (angels) be asked to bow down in shezda (prostrate). If Allah isn't Adam, then it would be paap (sin) to bow down, shirq paap (unforgivable sin, when comparison/partnership is made with Allah) according to deenduniya (faiths of this world). Finding defect in Adam, Azazil (chief of the fallen angels) became paapi (sinner/defector). Only the ones who are refined admi (person) will know Adom (Adam). Will the beast ever understand Adam's significance? Phokir Lalon says addo dhormo (original religion) can be manifested by knowing Adam.

So, basically this is one of the many songs that help us understand that the kitab (holy scriptures) validates the baul/phokirs philosophy and understanding of life and religion. Obviously! They are not separate or oppositions!

"Allah alek" and "Alek Shain" are phrases I hear from sadhus all the time. Alek I searched for its meaning for a bit. I found that Alaq, a word and sura is in the Quran. It is a mass, or cling, or drop, of blood or flesh, that is the beginning of Man's creation. And within that body resides Shain/Allah.

I believe. I am a believer. When I give my salaam to people, in recent years I have started to try and be conscious of it, feel it, and mean it, instead of merely uttering the words. Very difficult practice I must admit, many years of unlearning involved. Similarly, when someone asks me how I am, I find myself including alhamdulillah in the sentence I respond with, and I try to be in the state of mind where I actually mean it. I hear sadhus say "Shainji bhaloi rekhechhen" (Shain has kept me well), which is praising Shain, same as alhamdulillah.

In social context we constantly look for meaning categorically, trying to "figure out", giving rise to stereotypes. We lack effort to find and know... and Be :-)

Photo by: Naeem Mohaiemen, Dhaka, August 2008

motorbike mania

2008-07-27T06:29:00.001+06:00

i wanna get a motorbike that runs on electricity
went looking... still havent found one

Gonoprojatontro... the People's Republic

2008-07-09T06:45:00.008+06:00

My national ID card

Even though its flimsy, and the webcam photo is distorted, and my beard has been slashed, I am still proud of it. My nation has given me something, it has given me a sense of identity, belonging, and recognition.

Couple of year back was the only time I voted. It was in the afternoon after lunch. A little later I found out that at 10am all the opposition parties had pulled out of the polls, because their voters were not allowed to vote.

Gongla ghash (wild grass), July 2008

Looking forward to a free and fair election in December 2008. We need leaders. We need direction.

Joy hok!

NO! No, I'm not!

2008-07-02T13:32:00.002+06:00

yes, i am old fashioned!
lot of the crap in the name of "progressive thinking" i cant swallow.

Gratification

2008-06-12T08:58:00.012+06:00

I went to appease... looked, felt, visualised, and imagined... the thrust... the weightlessness... the impact...
Then lost my guts, needed another push.
After a while I looked around and saw more than just the pitch on the road, and the light early morning traffic, and more than the spiky fence... I saw the white lilies... in bloom, and some dead and decaying. Then I saw the red ladder which I haven't noticed before. That's when I decided to make a blog entry out of it.

The ladder was part of the equipment they are using to paint the air shaft of this apartment building, where we live. The lilies were either my mother's, or belonged to one of the other 5 residential tenant families that live with us in this building of 40+ units, where all the rest of the units are offices. My mother has these same lilies in our veranda too. She picks them and arranges them on our dining table where they greet us every morning.

These lilies remind me of childhood memories at our Indira Road house, Hashem Bari. Hashem was probably the name of the family elder of our Sylheti landlord. We had a portico and a circular roundabout driveway. But that doesn't sound right. You see it was very green, unlike what a driveway sounds like. Not of concrete, but of soil and gravel. Had lots of trees, bearing fruits, and flowering plants, and green grass. Very green at this time of year. Single bricks half dug diagonally into the ground leaning to the next brick pointing upwards, is what marked the inner circle and the outer circle of the round driveway. Blooming lilies, right behind the circle of bricks, lined the outer circle of the driveway. And my aunt and I used to pick them everyday. Lot of fond memories in that house, spent ten growing years there.

These days where most things are digital, we can find out exactly when we have done certain things. Like this blog entry will show the date and exact time when it was published. We can tell the exact time of when we received an email. Calls on our cell phones are chronologically logged. Messages have this information embedded, and even cellphone digital photography has its wonders of metadata.

I went up to the roof this morning a few minutes after 7am, and came down after about half an hour. The western front side would have been the most dramatic, right on the main road. I'm told I like drama. Getting back to my room I was thinking... am I chicken shit myself... or is it the strong will and mental conditioning I did when I was much younger, when I made some promises to myself. Not all of those promises remianed intact. Like I've been smoking cigarettes over the past 2-3 years. Haha!

So... reason and justification seeped in soon. Thoughts from 2002/2003 came to me, when I had the visions of it briefly. Those were numb and mute years. But today it was to deliver... to appease poisoned minds. It would have probably provided more excuses for things to remain same or get worse. My ego is still too big to allow my actions become excuses. I am learning to take responsibility for my actions. I failed to deliver, to appease.

On the roof I had climbed that ladder, the breeze felt good.

Then I went near the lilies again. Helped the dead and decaying to shed (something I have learnt from people in the family who care for plants or do some gardening).

I also picked the fresh ones to bring to the table and share the glory with the family. There I found a bunch already waiting, that arrived from my mothers garden in the veranda.

You can't fail if you don't give up :-)

...kahare shudhai?

2008-05-13T11:55:00.007+06:00

In rural Bangla rodents at a girostho farmers house is a good sign. Presence of the rodent shows that harvest was good, and that this is a happy family.

But then in the modern world we have been taught differently. We treat rodents as pest. We are determined to get rid of it, terminate it. We even go the length to designing crops that insects won't be able to feed on.

Then we have devised so many ways to get rid of the rodent in the urban home.

A mouse was offered some food on a plate. It didn't know that there was glue on the plate too, that would trap it, and send it to its afterlife.

Unless I was hallucinating...

2008-04-04T04:23:00.012+06:00

Unless I was hallucinating, I saw the new crescent moon at pre-dawn hours after staying up the entire night last night.

It was very beautiful, can't remember when I last roamed the streets of Dhaka at the pre-dawn hours. Used to do it so often not too long ago. But it puts unnecessary stress on my parents. My father mentioned couple of days back that children should look after parents when they have crossed the age of 60. I joked back saying that I'm only 33.

So anyway, I spent an amazing time in Kushtia between 19th and 29th of March. During this time I had come to Dhaka once for two days and returned to Kushtia. People outside Kushtia kept asking whether I attended Lalon Shah's Dol festival. Yes, I was there. But that means so many different things. Only after coming back to Dhaka and seeing a photograph on The Daily Star I realized that this year I had not seen the main stage where all the performances take place. Wow, how spaced out was I? (Note that I have not been smoking hemp for over three years now, and held on abstaining at the festival). Then what was it? Maybe trauma.

Every year I go check out the stage. Last year was shocking. Dol is a festival during dol purnima, the full moon of the Bangla months Phalgun/Choitro. Phokir Lalon himself used to observe this festival during his lifetime more than 117 years ago. But last year we saw corporate sponsorship for the first time in history, and horribly designed. Maybe that left a traumatic memory in my head which subconsciously made me not check out the stage this year. It makes sense, cause last year I kept bitching about the backdrop they used on stage.

Another interesting event coincided with dol purnima this year; it was Eid-e Miladunnabi, prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) birth and death anniversary. Now, we know that this day is observed on the 12th day of Rabiul Awwal of the Arabic lunar calendar. Hmmm... the word purnima means full moon. Anyone who knows anything about the lunar cycle will know that the full moon cannot be on or before the twelfth day of the moon. It falls on the 13th/14th day.

Eid-e Miladunnabi was observed on Friday 21st March in Bangladesh. Lalon Academy organised a two day festival beginning on Saturday 22nd March. So it makes sense, right? But no!!! The sadhus observed dol on Thursday 20th March, when the moon actually became full. According to people who ritualistically follow the lunar cycle, the moment started some time after 11pm on Thursday 20th march and lasted until the next evening Friday 21st March. I was there, I saw the full moon forming with my eyes, unless I was hallucinating. Then how could we have observed 12th Rabiul Awwal on 21st March??? It should have been 19th/20th March if we went by the moon at all.

Haaaaah.... its too complicated. I have never been able to figure out why we systematically celebrate Eid two days (sometimes more) later than other Muslim people of this world. Whats this politics of the moon?

Around this time last night, early hour just before dawn when the muazzim of the campus mosque at University of Dhaka was preparing for Fazr azan (prayer call at dawn), I noticed the new crescent moon right above the Shahbag Police Station at the entrance of the university campus. It was a beautiful moment. In fact the entire night was very special.

Later in the morning at home when I was browsing through the news papers, I noticed the Arabic date. It read 25th Rabiul Awwal. Will someone please explain this phenomena to me???
Was it the crescent I saw ... or was I hallucinating?

Little Fatima

2008-03-11T05:01:00.006+06:00

Returning home on 8th March (Intl. Women's Day) I heard a child's voice coming from our kitchen. On enquiry I learnt that there is someone new in our house. Dumping my bag in my room I returned to the kitchen to grab a glimpse of this new comer before I have dinner and go to bed. She elegantly walks past me giving me a look like a wise old woman; but she is probably only eight years old. She pauses at the door, when I use the opportunity to ask her name. Very different from her look and posture, a suspicious infant voice says "Fatima". It was obvious she did not want to talk. But then I thought some ice breaking over the next few days may help the situation.

My mother reads daily Janakantha, and follows a column regularly called "manush manusher jonno" (man is for mankind, or human existence is to serve mankind). There she read about a SIDR affected woman who wants to give up her children because she cannot afford to feed them anymore. My mother decided to take on one of these children, raise and educate her. Thus Fatima arrived at our home with the help of a journalist.

On the second day I went into her room and asked her where she is from. She took her time to say "Satkhira". As I asked "Where in Satkhira?", she took even longer to think, then started to point with both hands which way to go. She did not know the name of her village or area. This tiny little girl seemed to be very different from the everyday child one comes across. I got curious about her. But my mother too knows very little about her. By the evening of the second day it was evident that Fatima does not like it at our place and does not want to stay here. She wants to return to her mother. The journalist was contacted again, to take her back.

Yesterday morning the journalist was supposed to come and take her back, but he did not show up. At my mother's phone call, he reported that he got held up in a meeting. I was at the lunch table. Fatima walked in and stood at the door again, with her back to the table, looking towards the switched off television in the next room. She kept standing there for a long time leaning on the frame of the large carved wooden door. She occasionally turned her head to get a quick glance at me to check if I am still eating. During one of these glances I asked her "Do you want to say something?". She nodded no.

After lunch I was getting ready to go to my documentary photography class. I came out of my room to find Fatima in the same posture and position as I had left her. I never bothered her with anymore chit chat as I sensed she was not comfortable, we only made eye contact over these three days. Three days I have been observing the same expression on that face, have not once seen the liveliness of an eight year old. I was craving to see the child in her, maybe her smile. She has not smiled in three days, at least I did not see her smiling. Did the storm make her a wise old woman? Is she traumatised? Whats her story? Will I still find her here when I return home this evening?

Went to my room, got my camera and came back to the dining room. Her position did not change. I sat on the floor. I set my camera, pointed it at her, waited for some change; nothing. Clicked, nothing! She had the same look. For a moment I thought she would make a great model. But I was craving for that smile I never saw on her. I went closer to her, took a head shot, put the LCD on, and showed her the picture... AND IT HAPPENED! It lasted a very brief couple of seconds. But that moment was one of those that keep you going.

I went on to attend class. Fatima was gone when I returned.

2008-02-22T11:27:00.003+06:00

A flyer for a party at the roof top swimming pool of Hotel Regency
21st Feb 2008

Cupid... Oh, Cupid!

2008-02-15T06:09:00.025+06:00

In Roman mythology, Cupid (Latin cupido) is the god of erotic love and beauty. He is equated with the Greek god Eros, and another one of his Latin names Amor (cognate with Kama).

In popular culture Cupid is frequently shown shooting his bow to inspire romantic love, often as an icon of Valentine's Day.

The most ancient Greek theoography, says that Cupid was created coevally with sex, Chaos and the earth. Throughout ancient mythological writing, there appear to be either two Cupids or two sides to the figure of Cupid (sex) One is the son of Jupiter (Zeus) and Venus. He is a lively youth who delights in pranks and spreading love. The other is a son of Nyx and Erebus, known for riotous debauchery.

In painting and sculpture, Cupid is often portrayed as a nude (or sometimes diapered) winged boy or baby armed with a bow and a quiver of arrows. The Hindu Kama also has a very similar description. The traditional Christian depiction of a cherub is based on him. On gems and other surviving pieces, he is usually shown amusing himself with childhood play, sometimes driving a hoop, throwing darts, catching a butterfly, or flirting with a nymph.

He is often depicted as carrying two sets of arrows: one set gold-headed, which inspire love; and the other lead-headed, which inspire hatred.

romance (rō-māns', rō'māns') adjective
1. relating to languages derived from Latin; "Romance languages"
noun
1. a relationship between two lovers [syn: love affair]
2. an exciting and mysterious quality (as of a heroic time or adventure) [syn: romanticism]
3. the group of languages derived from Latin
4. a story dealing with love [syn: love story]
5. a novel dealing with idealized events remote from everyday life
verb
1. make amorous advances towards; "John is courting Mary" [syn: woo]
2. have a love affair with
3. talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions; "The guys always try to chat up the new secretaries"; "My husband never flirts with other women" [syn: chat up]
4. tell romantic or exaggerated lies; "This author romanced his trip to an exotic country
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.

com·merce (kŏm'ərs)
n.
1. The buying and selling of goods, especially on a large scale, as between cities or nations. See Synonyms at business.
2. Intellectual exchange or social interaction.
3. Sexual intercourse.

[French, from Old French, from Latin commercium : com-, com- + merx, merc-, merchandise.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

pas·sion [pash-uhn]

-noun

1. any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, as love or hate.
2. strong amorous feeling or desire; love; ardor.
3. strong sexual desire; lust.
4. an instance or experience of strong love or sexual desire
5. a person toward whom one feels strong love or sexual desire.
6. a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for anything: a passion for music.
7. the object of such a fondness or desire: Accuracy became a passion with him.
8. an outburst of strong emotion or feeling: He suddenly broke into a passion of bitter words.
9. violent anger.
10. the state of being acted upon or affected by something external, esp. something alien to one's nature or one's customary behavior (contrasted with action).
11. (often initial capital letter) Theology
a. the sufferings of Christ on the cross or His sufferings subsequent to the Last Supper.
b. the narrative of Christ's sufferings as recorded in the Gospels.
12. Archaic. the sufferings of a martyr

[Origin: 1125–75; ME (<>passiōn- (s. of passiō) Christ's sufferings on the cross, any of the Biblical accounts of these (> late OE passiōn), special use of LL passiō suffering, submission, deriv. of L passus, ptp. of patī to suffer, submit; see -ION]

—Related forms
pas·sion·ful, adjective
pas·sion·ful·ly, adverb
pas·sion·ful·ness, noun
pas·sion·like, adjective
—Synonyms 1. See feeling. 6. fervor, zeal, ardor. 9. ire, fury, wrath, rage.
—Antonyms 1. apathy.

The ECU withdrawals

2008-02-07T03:34:00.000+06:00

two days and i still am missing them and somehow gravitating towards dhanmondi... the aftereffect... withdrawal...

i miss the bunch!
hopefully we meet again soon
lots of love to the group...

Butchered at the presentation...

2008-01-30T13:13:00.000+06:00

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, my peers almost slaughtered me after I presented my work yesterday at the ULAB auditorium in Dhanmondi.

When I went to the Sundorbon forest in December, for the first time after the storm, it was quite depressing and my camera remained in its bag most of the time. I had no plans to go there for this project initially. But during the workshop I was inspired by a theme "Nurturing the Earth" introduced by Allison Morley. And these great people (Lina, Wess, and later Dave) were interested to go too. So I thought I'll take the opportunity and make positive effort, it will be good practice training as photojournalist.

We had a great trip. Even though the topic was climate change / global warming, I tried to explore how people are coping and managing, and portray what people are trying to do about it.

But I guess my story was just not strong enough, visually. I got bashed, slam duncked... bulldozzed... but I took it standing up straight. I'll learn, get stronger, and perform better. And the people working in the forest, with the forest, and for the forest, have taught me the story of courage, survival, and hope.

Joy hok!

return from the forest...

2008-01-25T17:00:00.000+06:00

Lina from Sweeded, Dave, Wess, and myself, we boarded the bus for Khulna on 12th Jan. Following morning we started on R.B. Emma towards the forest. We returned to Khulna on the 19th. The next two days we visited shrimp farms and salt farms. Returned to Dhaka early hours of 23rd.

Now I'm struggling with 3000 images. I have to cut it down to 50 images by tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Jorina bibi, RAB, and Jess paddling a rickshaw

2008-01-12T12:46:00.001+06:00

During a session with Jorina bibi at Ambrosia two night ago, an Australian student and I decided to get some fresh air and went for a walk in the early hours after midnight. We walked out of the gate from Ambrosia and turned left towards the main road, looking for a rickshaw (to be honest it wasn't just fresh air, there was a dare from her friends for her to ride a rickshaw).

Reaching the main road we saw a security barricade next to Star Kabab, and no rickshaw in site. So we turned around and went the other direction towards the field. Soon a pickup truck stopped next to us and it was none other than our elite crime combating men in black, the RAB.

They were concerned how I was going to provide the foreigner's security if there was an "incident". They were not convinced when I explained that I felt safe and confident because of their heavy presence on the streets of Dhaka recently. They asked us to return home. Throughout this time Jess, frozen up, stood next to me like a statue. Must have been traumatic for her. I'm sorry Jess!

On our way back to Ambrosia we found a rickshaw. Jess made a couple of laps with the rickshaw-wala and me as passengers . It was fun.

progress...

2008-01-08T01:28:00.000+06:00

after the first two sessions we have teamed up into groups and chosen our desired destinations and subjects. i am enjoying. but i am yet to figure out what i will do in the mangrove forest, and which areas to go to. i have teamed up with wess, lina, and dave.

2007-11-27T08:03:00.001+06:00

26 November 2007

"Josh" is a Dhaka slang. The closest word that would relate I guess is "cool".
So, its josh that students from ECU are coming to Pathshala for this month long program, and I am looking forward to an exciting month of exchange and learning.

About three years ago I started photography. Joined Pathshala to do a one month basic course, and decided to do the year long diploma. Finishing the diploma I tried freelancing, and soon realized I need some more structure and learn a little more. Thus now I am part of the second year class of ad. diploma in photojournalism.

In my class each of us are thinking of three options, subject areas to work on in teams during the month. My interests are as follows:
1. Manpower Export
2. Winter (one of the six seasons in Bengal)
3. Air pollution in Dhaka

Hoping that someone, or more than one person may have similar interests as mine, and we can team up.

Looking forward to hearing from you and meeting you.

Zaid Islam
__________________________________________

10 December 2007

There has been further discussion in our group regarding the month long program. Now we are planning to work on Environment/Climate Change/ Global Warming.

This came along after we faced Sidr, one of the worst cyclones to hit Bangladesh in recent history. Natural calamities are increasing around the world. Weather is rapidly changing. The six different seasons that we used to appreciate in Bengal, are now acting strangely. There are major shifts taking place. All this must be a result of our actions, the thing we have done, us the human race. We have been racing!

Somewhere along the way we lost direction, we stopped taking care, we stopped caring, we lost the sense of responsibility. We started only consuming. Worse than that we started wasting....
to me it seems that mother nature is reacting to us misbehaving.

Previously I have worked on solid waste management in Bangladesh, and we have an informal process of doing it where we have achieved close to 100% recycling rate for our plastic waste. This time I would like to tackle this issue from an angle of collective responsibility, where every individual in the world needs to contribute. Awareness building is the approach. The target is the big consumers in our world.

I am not yet sure how I will represent this visually. But I would like to end this post by a quot from the famous meteorologist Edward Norton Lorenz-
"Does the Flap of a Butterfly’s Wings in Brazil set off a Tornado in Texas?"

Zaid Islam