Pathshala

Pathshala, the "South Asian Institute of Photography" was set up in 1998 by the Bangladesh photographer, writer and activist Shahidul Alam [http://shahidul.wordpress.com] . The school is now recognised by many as being one of the finest schools of photography in the world. It is affiliated to Sunderland University and Bolton University in the UK. Oslo University College in Norway, Edith Cowan University in Australia [http://reachyourpotential.com.au/ecYou2/may08.htm] and University of Liberal Arts of Bangladesh. Pathshala@ULAB an independent institute set up jointly by Pathshala Trust and Gemcon group is recognised by the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh and gives a bachelors degree in photography. Pathshala is the teaching wing of Drik Picture Library Ltd. [http://www.drik.net] The school has however received death threats by fundamentalists claiming photography is un-Islamic [http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=70969] . The school is now in its tenth year. Students have won numerous accolades during this short period. [http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2008/ten_years_of_pathshala.html] [http://shahidul.wordpress.com/profile/munem-wasif-selected-for-masterclass/] Students have been active in social movements [http://thechobimelafiles.blogspot.com/2006/11/tuesday-7-november-portfolios-at.html] and have also organised exhibitions addressing social concerns at overseas events. [http://www.worldbank.lk/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/SOUTHASIAEXT/SRILANKAEXTN/0,,contentMDK:21465611~menuPK:232812~pagePK:2865066~piPK:2865079~theSitePK:233047,00.html]

Teachers at Pathshala

have included:Robert Pledge [http://www.contactpressimages.com/pledge_bio.html] , Reza Deghati, Ian Berry [http://www.magnumphotos.com/Archive/C.aspx?VP=XSpecific_MAG.PhotographerDetail_VPage&l1=0&pid=2K7O3R14RD59&nm=Ian%20Berry] , Raghu Rai, Pablo Bartholomew [http://www.netphotograph.com/pablo.html] , Rob Mounfort [http://www.lightstalkers.org/rob_mountfort] , David Wells [http://www.davidhwells.com/] , David de Souza [http://www.daviddesouza.com] , Dominic Sansoni [http://www.dominicsansoni.blogspot.com/] , Nicola Robbers [http://www.zoominfo.com/people/Robbers_Nicole_910618372.aspx] , Louis Zaal [http://www.hollandse-hoogte.nl/] , Sasa Krajl, Rupert Grey [http://www.swanturton.com/profiles/rupertgrey.aspx] , John Kippin [http://www.johnkippin.com/index9b53.html?nav=contemporary&page=2] , Peter Fryer [http://www.amber-online.com/people/22] , Pedro Meyer [http://www.pedromeyer.com/] , Morten Krogvold [http://www.mortenkrogvold.no/krogvold/contact.asp] , Jack Picone [http://www.jackpicone.com/] , Jenny Matthews [http://www.jennymphoto.com/] , Tim Hetherington [http://www.timhetherington.com/] , Witold Krassowski [http://www.lightstalkers.org/witold_krassowski] , David Bathgate [http://www.davidbathgate.com/bio/biograph.htm] , Kirsten Claire, Eddie Bissel, Andrew Patrick and many others.

References:

*Pathshala Blog [http://pathshala98.blogspot.com/2008/03/achievements-of-pathshala-tutors-and.html]
*A True Pathshala: Story told by Sameera Huque and Shahidul Alam [http://shahidul.wordpress.com/features/2007/08/01/pathshala/]
*International Photographers Research Network [http://www.theiprn.org/index.php?go=institute,631]
*Daily Star Magazine [http://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2008/02/02/achievement.htm]
*Daily Star Campus [http://www.thedailystar.net/campus/2006/08/02/camspotlightpathshala.htm]

External links

*Official|http://www.pathshala.net

Videos:

[Video commissioned by Pulitzer Foundation, produced by Brian Palmer] [http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid933119013/bclid909923494/bctid1751349661] .