Prior to the grand opening of the 12-daylong “Odommo Chattagram” festival, a week-long photography exhibition titled “Chitromoy Chattala” opened yesterday morning in the port city.

The Daily Star is organising the festival to highlight the opulent culture, heritage, history and prospects of Chittagong as well as branding the port city.

The exhibition is also a part of a competition where 223 photographers from both home and abroad took part with their 650 images. The exhibition, aiming to showcase many aspects of Chittagong, is being held at the gallery of Theatre Institute, Chittagontg, (TIC).

Editor of Chittagong-based Bangla daily, Dainik Azadi, M.A. Malek, inaugurated the exhibition as chief guest. The Daily Star Editor and Publisher, Mahfuz Anam and Chittagong Samity (Dhaka) President, Rezaul Haq Chowdhury Mushtaq, were present at the event. Prothom Alo Resident Editor, Abul Momen, delivered the welcome address. He also emceed the event.

Out of 650 entries, award-winning 80 beautiful images are on display at the exhibition. The photographs have successfully captured the culture, traditions and unique lifestyle of Chittgaong.

The first prize winner, Adrian Poran, who took the snap of a meditating Buddhist monk, said, “I'm thrilled to be positioned first at this competition.” The second prize winner, Yeow-Kwang Yeo, is a Singaporean who could not attend the programme. Hasan Murad bagged the third prize. He urged The Daily Star to continue such initiatives in future. A.N.M. Zia; Hasanuzzaman Prince; A.M. Ahad; Shantanu Biswas; Nazir Uddin Mahmud; Md. Tawhid Murad and Md. Didarul Alam Chowdhury were the rest of the top ten award winners.

All the photographs were taken in different parts of the greater Chittagong region including the hilly districts -- Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban.

The exhibition is open to all, from 3 to 8pm and will continue till April 5.

Before opening the exhibition, M.A. Malek said, “There are many photographers from Chittgaong who have earned national and international accolades for their outstanding photography. But most of the people know very little about them. If they are properly highlighted, they will be encouraged to zoom in on the medium.”

The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam congratulated the photographers for their demonstrations of creativity and urged them to continue with due sincerity.

“You [photographers] should have high ambition and vision so that you can earn international recognition. Nothing can stop you from being a global photographer, if you have talent,” added Anam.

The Daily Star Editor also hoped to take the exhibition to Dhaka, other districts and if possible, beyond border. He also promised to arrange similar exhibitions every year, in association with Prothom Alo and local dailies Dainik Azadi and Dainik Purbokone.

“The success stories of Chittagong do not reach the whole country. The initiative of The Daily Star is appreciable and timely,” said Abul Momen.