Traveling Chobi Mela V

Project Freedom was designed to deliberate on ideas of ‘freedom’ through photographic and cultural exchange. It was a collaborative project with Chobi Mela, an international festival of photography held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Kutumba, a Nepali folk ensemble and was funded by the Prince Claus Fund based in the Netherlands.

In November 2008, photo.circle awarded travel grants to 6 emerging Nepali photographers to visit Chobi Mela V in Dhaka Bangladesh. Works of these photographers were showcased as multimedia slideshows at the Goethe Institute, Dhaka and accompanied by a live performance by Kutumba. Chobi Mela provided the 6 photographers with opportunities to gain exposure to works of more than 60 international photographers from over 30 countries and network with an international community of fellow photographers, publishers, editors and other artists. The visit was a great chance to showcase work, find inspiration and push for personal growth.

Upon return from Chobi Mela, photo.circle hosted a selection of 12 exhibitions from Chobi Mela V in Dhaka as Traveling Chobi Mela in Kathmandu. During the week-long exhibition, 6 workshops were also organized, including a 4 day workshop by award winning photographer Munem Wasif (Agence VU) and a variety of multimedia presentations were screened.

Sailendra Kharel

Sailendra Kharel