Aalok is a non-profit 'informal' organisation in its true sense. Founded in 1995, 'we wanted to hold exhibitions that were not included in the schedule of Bangladesh Photo-Journalists' Union (BPJU),' said Hasan Saifuddin Chandan of Aalok. 'We also wanted to provide facilities to the photojournalists as an extended wing of BPJU.' The interesting feature of Aalok is that the organisation has never had any executive committee so far, 'for, we have always wanted to work independently,' said Chandan.

Aalok organises regular annual competition among its members. And with the collection of two year's photographs it regularly holds exhibitions -- not just in Dhaka but in other regions of the country as well as in foreign lands. The members of the organisation have visited countries including Romania, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Malaysia and Japan. Aalok also held the first ever exhibition of colour slides in 1997. The event remains a milestone in the photography history of Bangladesh since the standard of the exhibition was approved by the Photographic Society of America and the Federation of Asian Photographic Art.

Not only photographs by its members, Aalok has also shown its importance, as it often invites renowned photographers from other countries to hold exhibitions. In 1999, it held a solo featuring computer art in photography by Japanese photographer Toshiki Ozawa. In 2002, Indian SR Mandal held a solo titled Renaissance from Aalok's forum.

The on-going exhibition displays some 132 photographs on various subjects. These photos competed in 2001 and 2002. The 'portfolio' contests let the photographers present a set of six photos on one particular subject. What is noteworthy is that this has facilitated the series in creating a story of that subject. The portfolios that contested in 2001 were Circus Life by GMB Aakash, Dance by Abir Abdullah, Monkey Family in the Park by Dr Rashid Un Nabi, Religious Festival by Shafiqul Alam Kiron, Life in a Brothel by Bashir Ahmed Sujan, World of Birds by AKM Shehab Uddin, and others. The 2002 subjects included Lyrics and Melody by Kiron, Born Free by GMB Akash, Wool by Khaled Asif, Let's Dance by Paul David Barikder, New Joyanti Opera by Shehab Uddin etc.

The winners of the competitions were Abir Abdullah for 2001 and Shafiqul Alam Kiron for 2002. The Daily Star editor Mahfuz Anam handed over the prizes to them at the inaugural ceremony of the exhibition.

The exhibition will remain open from 3 to 8 pm everyday till February 29.