Jiri Rezac Photography

Daily life images in black and white from Bangladesh. Images were taken during 1994 and 1995 while working for a rural development NGO in the northern district of Dinajpur. Photos show rural and urban daily life scenes, street photography and portraits of poor farmers and labourers.

BANGLADESH CHITTAGONG 26JAN07 - Pakistani dancer performs on stage during the Gaya Holud ceremony in Chittagong, Bangladesh. Dance and performances are part of lavish wedding celebrations in south Asia. jre/Photo by Jiri Rezac

Images from a private and slum school illustrating teaching quality of the Bangladesh education system. Images show school children of various age studying at their desks.

Reportage story on gas exploration activities in Bangladesh. Since this poor country devoid of many natural resources has discovered significant deposits of natural gas, a modest economic growth has set in, sometimes accelerating local infrastructures at breakneck speed. Images include pipelines, drilling activities, production, rigs and the site of a blowout in Sylhet, northern Bangladesh.

Reportage story on the Bangladesh Biswa Ijtema and the overcrowded trains carrying worshippers to and from the prayer site at Tongi Junction north of Dhaka. The annual Tablighi Jamaat Islamic movement congregation lasts three days and is attended by over two million Muslims, making it the second largest congregation after the Hajj to Mecca. Devotees from approximately 80 countries, including the host country, Bangladesh, attend the three-day Ijtema seeking divine blessings from Allah. The event focuses on prayers and meditation and does not allow political discussion.

BANGLADESH DHAKA MAR05 - It seems to have been there forever, and it's one of the epicentres of trading in the Bangladeshi capital. Dhaka's Kawran Bazaar, squeezed between a railway line at Tejgaon, encroaching office blocks to the West, one of the country's finest hotels, the Shonargaon to the South and a slum in the East is a small city in itself. A good proportion of Dhaka's population obtains their foodstuffs and many other goods there. From spices, vegetables, fruits and rice, hammers and knives to TVs and flip-flops, almost anything is for sale. Photos by Jiri Rezac

Feature photos of rural daily life in Bangladesh in the Jamuna river area, traditionally prone to flooding during the Monsoon season. Images shows villagers going about their daily business and impressions from the rural countryside and the Jamuna river.

Reportage about the shipbreaking industry near Chittagong, Bangladesh. Since Bangladesh does not possess mineral resources such as iron ore, it works out more cost-efficient to employ a large army of day-labourers to recycle the scrapped ships rather than to import ore. On average, a labourer can expect to earn a little more than 1 US Dollar per day.